I am looking at a DIY project for installing an Aprilaire 5000 in my attic (second floor zone). I have not ventured into playing with HVAC systems, but I believe this unit is designed to be installed between the return cabinet housing (where all of the return ducts come into a single box) and the actual AC/Furnace return window.
What I am a little concerned with are the additional resistance (to air flow) this unit may cause, and the safe installation techniques needed to insure an ait-tight seal all around. This unit is being sold online for about $400. The least expensive quote I’ve gotten locally is in excess of $900.
There is plenty of space for this addition HVAC component in the attic, which [hopefully] does not require a return-box refabrication. The return box is of the type that is formed (fabricated) on-site using the insulated ‘silver cardboard’ material.
I know, I should leave everything to the professionals, but I thought this seemed like something a confident, well-investigated DIYer could tackle.
Replies
5th - Just curious as to where on-line I can buy Aprilaire humidifiers. From their web-site, appears that they only sell trough HVAC contractors. I'm interested in the model 7000 which is totally automatic, with the indoor humidity being correlated with the outdoor temp. A neighbor of mine says that since installing this model, his window "sweating" and days of trying to control the humidity manually are over. Rookie.
Here you go. This is the same place I found the Aprilaire 5000.
http://www.alpinehomeair.com/viewcategory-3.htm
Edited 2/22/2004 1:46:27 PM ET by 5th
5th - thanks for the link. Just got off the phone this am with an install "guesstimate" of the Aprilaire Model 700 (yes Dan, that's the model my neighbor raved about too!) of $600 - $650. From Alpine's web-site, the unit runs $214...do you think I might save a little here? Thanks again everyone.
Feel a little like Lt. Colombo here ... i.e. "one more thing"... their model 600 is $100 less than the 700 but it is a bypass model whereas the700 has a power fan. Help me here. Do I take it that the power fan on the 700 allows the unit to run continuously if the furnace fan always on? vs. bypass, which means what? help! Rookie
The main reason I went with the 700 is that a bypass unit simply wouldn't fit, given the configuration of our furnace and the limited space available. As far as I know, the two styles are about equally effective -- the bypass unit simply makes use of the furnace fan to move air through the "medium", vs having an internal fan to do this. I think either unit can be rigged with hot water and so be able to function with just the fan on (no heat), but you may want to check with Aprilaire on that. (They responded promptly to my emails when I asked similar questions.)
I bought an Aprilaire unit via the web from an outfit in Kentucky. Unfortunately, can't remember the name.
PS, I assume you mean the model 700, which is the same unit I installed. The automatic humidistat is really nice -- once we got it set right we haven't had to touch it all winter.