This is my 3rd Aprilaire 600 and they were all worth every penny. (The 600 used to be called the 600A, now both are automatic and the 600's electronics are slightly updated.) The 600 can be switched to manual mode, if desired.
My first unit was in my last house and was run for 2 years with no issues, then we moved. I just installed 2 in my current house (since I have 2 furnaces, 1 for each floor). I set it to humidity level #5 out of 7, which sets the relative humidity to 35% when the outdoor temperature is about 20 degrees F (details in the manual). The unit automatically turns on when the furnace is running and there is a call for more humidity. The unit can turn on your furnace blower in order to add humidity even when the furnace is not running, but I didn't want that option, so I didn't wire it in. If you do wire it in, there is a switch on the control unit so that you can turn it on or off.
Pros
* It's automatic and comes with an outdoor temperature sensor. This allows the unit to automatically adjust the humidity level so that you don't get condensation on your windows (condensation and the associated mold growth are why some home inspectors do not recommend humidifiers.)
* For us, it reduces nose bleeds and sinus infections.
* No standing water for mold to grow in. No individual room units to clean and refill.
* Works great, turn it on as the weather starts to get cold (also turn on the water to it and turn the lever to open the built in damper) and turn it off as the weather warms up.
* Low maintenance: Replace the water panel 1 time per year
* Low repair costs: There's no fan or extraneous parts. The only moving part is the valve that turns on and off the water. The value is quick and cheap to replace if it ever builds up enough sediment or mineralization to impede function.
* Low upkeep: The manual says to replace the water distribution tray and valve solenoid every ~5 years. All the parts are easy to access and relatively cheap. After 2 years my original water distribution tray showed no wear and I don't think it will really need to be replaced.
* Integrates with the electrical power in your furnace, so there's no extra wiring (assuming your furnace is new enough to have the jumpers.)
* Completely silent.
* Uses almost no electricity
* I did not notice a decrease in air flow coming out of vents throughout the house.
* Easy to install if you are handy. Our local Heating guys charge about $450 to install these and it only takes them 2 hours. I did it myself in about 4-6 hours. All the tools you really need are sheet metal snips, a good drill to put in sheet metal screws, a wrench for tightening plumbing connections, wire strippers, and ideally a 3/4" metal drill bit to install the electronic control. Installation instructions are included in the box, including wiring instructions. The instructions aren't idiot proof, but they're easy to follow for a handy person.
Cons
* Some water is wasted as unevaporated water does drain out the bottom. While I don't want water wasted, I actually think this is a preferable design. I don't want to waste electricity heating the water to create steam and I don't want a tray of standing water for mold or bacteria to grow in (the 400 model has a tray of standing water and no drain, but is otherwise the same as the 600.) I haven't noticed a change in my water bill since installing these units.
* A drain is required. I directed mine into my air conditioner's condensation drain which feeds to the sump pump. No problem. It it's a problem for you, try the 400 model.
Function
The unit works by taking air that has been heated by your furnace and passes it through a panel that has a small amount of water running across it. The water panel looks a bit like a radiator. The water on the panel evaporates into the hot air and gets distributed through your existing ductwork. That's it, nothing fancy. Note that, just like any humidifier, the unit is more efficient if you connect it to hot water rather than cold.
If you decide to install it yourself and go against the recommendation to have a professional do it, you'll also need the following:
#8 sheet metal screws
1/4" copper water line
1/2" ID clear vinyl tubing for drain
Clamp to attach the vinyl drain tubing to the humidifier
Small wire nuts
6" start collar for bypass connection
6" 90 degree elbow(s) for bypass connection
6" pipe for bypass connection
18-2 thermostat wire (a few feet of 18-5 may be helpful to go between the humidifier and your furnace, but 18-2 will work there as well)
Depending on your furnace, 2 quick disconnect electrical plugs may be needed to connect the included transformer to your furnace's power.
If furnace circuit board does not include humidifier accessory terminals an Aprilaire #50 Current Sensing Relay will be needed.
Optional Duct tape (don't use fabric tape, UL rated foil backed tape will last much longer and won't burn) or mastic will improve heating efficiency.
Optional you may want to feed the vinyl drain tubing inside a 3/4" PVC drain to make sure if doesn't get damaged or knocked out of your drain.
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I was somewhat skeptical since there doesn't seem to be much interest in this product and even a bad review, but for less than $20 it was worth taking a chance. We use ours in the bathroom and it works great. I am now ordering a couple of replacement filters since we have had our unit for over 6 months. For such a small fan, it moves a lot of air and does a fantastic job of removing (and not masking) odor. Highly recommended.
Was gonna buy new vacuum here on Amazon until this filter popped up on my suggestion list. I thought to give it a try since it's pretty cheap. My vac wasn't giving much suction at all. No amount of cleaning of the old filter was helping. Wasn't even picking up loose dirt anymore. After putting this filter in, the suction skyrocketed to brand new power again. From not being able to pickup loose dirt to actually lifting up ~heavy objects again depending on its shape and "grab-ability".
I bought one of these on a whim when the product launched just before Christmas, 2006. It seemed like a perfect if unnecessary stocking stuffer for my wife, since we're both wine enthusiasts. I never really felt these "gimmick" aerators did much that a solid 1/2 hour decanting couldn't do. Boy was I wrong.
These air filters work pretty well. We have a Hamilton Beach True Air cleaner in the room where we have our cat box. It works pretty well to keep the cat box odors under control. The filters have been a little hard to find though lately.
The filters that arrive are MoistAIR HDC411 filters. What wasn't included in the description was the size of each individual filter. They are each 11 x 2 3/8 x 6 1/4. I'm using them in an MoistAIR Emerson HD12110, and they seemed a little shorter (on the 11 inch length dimension)than the original filter. The only other difference is that the original filters had 4 beads of plastic/urethane adhesive, and these only have three. They seem to work fine, though, and what I'm amazed at is how much better these work than the dirty filters. I'm putting much more water in the air at low speed immediately after replacing the filters. I cleaned the original ones out each year, but after several years of use, they needed replacement. Overall, these seem great, and replacement should really be an annual event, especially in areas with hard water.
My husband and I have been through local stores and purchased what retailers call 'flavors' or scents of products. Lysol has a number of scents; however, my husband wishes the pine scent was still made in a spray. I decided to try the Country Scent. He likes it! That's more than I can say for some of the other Lysol scents which are overwhelming and make him cough.
I just received this item. I unpacked and used it on my fridge compressor. It seems to work well. My complaint is about the power brush. I was putting it away and the power brush was attached to the hose. As I put it down, it flipped down and hit the ground. A very minor fall, but the power brush broke apart into pieces. It looks like I might be able to put it back together, but who knows. There aren't any instructions on how to do that.
Well, it is just a humidifer wick so excuse me for not getting wildly excited, but as far as humidifier wicks go, I can't complain. It does its job exactly as I would expect as I would expect a humidifer wick to. So...yeah. Good product. Thanks
We've had the biozone 2000 for a couple of days, and it is a completely different animal than the two Whispure HEPA air purifiers in our home. It does not filter that air, but rather it appears to fundamentally affect its composition. As soon as you turn it on (it's runs almost totally silent), your nose will pick up a faint smell of ozone. And VERY fresh air coming from the vents. It's a powerful little machine: we put it in the room where the litterbox for our cats are, and it wiped out all smell in about 15 minutes. Even on its lowest speed, you can feel its effect all over our 1500 sq ft. house. The only downside is that it does leave a faint ozone trace in the air, and at high speeds a metallic odor. So, we run it on its lowest speed. But I highly recommend the biozone it's no toy, but a serious air cleaner. Great for a pet room or any other space that has odor. But don't buy one that is too large it can far exceed your needs. If you have 500 sq feet of need, buy the Biozone 500, not the 1000 or 2000. Our unit may be overkill for our house. But boy, does it work!
This filter is the one bad part of the system. I have not really noticed the bad smell, but the plastic piece came loose and much of the charcoal escaped. A poor construction on a otherwise good system.
When Bionaire was founded they were a great company. In fact I still have a unit that was made in 1983 and that is still running fine. All I've had to do is replace the filters and a fan switch. Try finding parts for any of the newer ones...Impossible!
I just commented on another review, telling how I got this cute little dehumidifier to drain externally instead of filling the bucket. I'll copy that information below too. But first I should talk about a much more serious problem I had with mine, a problem that required my disassembling the unit to an extent probably no other owner would be willing to do. But this little dehumidifier was so cheap and appealing it was worth the risk to me.
I'd like to get another one of these, but it is way overpriced (as I think ALL air purifiers are). The company I work for was going to become a distributor for this product, so I got one at manufacturers rep cost 3 years ago, and put it in my daughter's room, who suffers from mild to moderate seasonal allergies. It has run almost constantly for those 3 years and flawlessly too I might add. And her allergies have improved. She doesn't wake up in the morning congested and wheezing like she had. When in auto mode you can hear the fan ramp up briefly when the load get heavy in the room. We moved it for awhile to another room in the house, and the amber lights showed how "dirty" the air was, and we watched as the air improved and the lights turned to green. It is quiet. She keeps in in "small room" mode at night when she sleeps. right next to the bed, and it is extremely quiet. Even when the fan is running at higher speed, it is still very quiet. I'd buy another one, but not at the prices I have seen them advertised. But it is a great product.
I ordered it because the product advertised that it was the scent of freashly brewed coffee. It do not live up to the expectations at all. Yes, the scent was pleasant, but did not smell like coffee as described and for that reason I have rated it two stars.
I purchased this evaporative cooler to take the edge off of my child's play room. We have a couple other evaporative coolers in the house that work well for larger areas, but wanted something smaller and that used less electrical power for that application. I bought based on price, the 65 watt usage and the louvers. It arrived in good condition and completely assembled. Entirely plastic, but seems well made. Smaller than expected. Likes: the controls work well, nice to have the water level window, does what it should (cools a small room as can be expected from an evaporative cooler). Dislikes: feeding water is time consuming due to small intake hole, louvers dont really do much it rotates and could be a nice feature, but I think the pitch is too low or non existant, so the air mostly goes straight.
This is a current QuietFlo model and is all digital. Good filter system and a fairly quiet low speed. For the first 2-3 weeks, it gave off a slight plastic-type smell...I don't know if it was the charcoal pre-filter or the plastic housing. This odor is diminishing with time. I would buy another.
We are very pleased with the vacuum and it has very good suction. We would have liked the on/off switch to have been on the back of the handle like we are used to and the hose is a little stiff but that is being picky. I can really tell the difference in how much cleaner my rugs look than from the panasonic I was using.
I've shopped for these humidifier water panels at the big box retailers and you can't always find them. Will buy online from now on. Decent price, too.