visualizing hope

AA Homepage Articles | Healthy Humidity |

Visualizing Hope – First Of Its Kind Humidity Control Plan Unveiled

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Dr. Jeff Gusky has been at the forefront of the conversation around using humidification to combat COVID-19. Dr. Gusky, who also works as an emergency room physician, first made headlines when he started measuring humidity in indoor space throughout the Dallas area nearly six months ago.

Visualizing Hope to Help Visualize Healthy Air

His most recent initiative, Visualizing HopeTM, is the first of its kind in the United States. Roma, Texas, a small border town, has installed sensors inside several municipal buildings and businesses to measure the absolute humidity in real-time. Dr. Gusky, who works in Dallas, collaborated with local physicians in the county to initiate this project.

According to the city’s website, residents can also check the levels on their smartphones and decide to visit places with safer air.

His hope is that by helping people visualize Healthy Air with a color-coded map, they will be encouraged to be more aware of air quality and the important role that it plays.’

Dry indoor air is a catalyst for transmitting airborne viruses. The body’s immune response and its initial defense system which consists of cilia and mucous membranes in the nose decreases in dry air. In addition, airborne viruses in dry air are smaller and lighter than their humidified counterparts. This means they are suspended in the air longer and can travel farther distances. They are also harder to detect and stand a better chance of getting past your body’s natural line of defense.

From his research, Dr. Gusky found that absolute humidity “turns on cell-mediated immunity in our lungs.” This activation involves white blood cells, which help the body fight disease and improve the body’s immune response.

“The answer as to why hundreds and millions of people in the poorest places on earth have an immunity to the virus is because there is a different kind of herd immunity, said Dr. Gusky. “There is another branch of immune system that doesn’t have to be educated by either a vaccine or becoming infected…It’s called cell-mediated immunity.”

Keeping your home’s air properly humidified is important in restricting the transmission of airborne viruses.

Products to Humidify Your Home

An Aprilaire humidifier can help make sure the air in your home is properly moisturized. With a myriad of offerings to fit your needs, you can easily combat dry winter air. For added convenience, our humidifiers come with dual sensors to monitor the humidity inside the home and the temperature outside so you can set the humidity you want and forget it. Each humidifier is designed and manufactured in the United States and comes with a 5-year warranty.

For the most effective virus protection, consider investing in a whole-home Aprilaire Healthy Air System™. The Healthy Air System offers a three-part award-winning approach to virus protection complete with humidity control, fresh air ventilation, and air filtration. The system also has a suite of applications beyond virus protection to help make the air inside your home healthy.

To get started, contact a Healthy Air Professional in your area and let them know you want Healthy Air Solutions in your home.

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AA Homepage Articles | Healthy Humidity |

Relative Humidity & Airborne Viruses

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Winter is upon us and cold temperatures are forcing us to retreat inside for warmth. Unfortunately, as we increase the temperature on our thermostat, we also remove moisture from the indoor air, thus lowering our home’s relative humidity (RH). This lowered humidity does more than create comfort issues — it can also create health problems.

This dry indoor air can leave our skin and lips feeling chapped, cause bloody noses and sore throats, and result in an increase in static shocks. More importantly, dry indoor air increases the transmission rate of airborne viruses like the flu and COVID-19.

Dr. Stephanie Taylor, Infection Control Consultant at Harvard Medical School and member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Epidemic Task Force said, “Our natural defenses are quickly impaired at RH 20%, resulting in increased susceptibility to respiratory infections such as COVID-19.”

relative humidity

Keep Your Home’s Relative Humidity Between 30-60%

ASHRAE and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend keeping your home’s relative humidity between 30-60%.

Dr. Walter Hugentobler, University of Zürich, adds, “Humidification gives people a simple means of actively combating seasonal respiratory infections, including the fearsome SARS-CoV-2 virus.”

Whole-Home Products

A whole-home Aprilaire humidifier can help reduce the transmission rate of airborne viruses by adding moisture back into your home’s air. Keeping the humidity in your home between 30-60% will help reduce the negative effects of dry indoor air like dry skin, chapped lips, and sore throats. It will also help protect your home’s furnishings that can crack in dry air. We have a number of different humidifiers to keep your home properly moisturized depending on the need. Each humidifier is manufactured and designed in the United States and comeswith a 5-year warranty. In addition, you do not have to empty water trays as you would with a portable unit.

For the ultimate effective virus protection, the Aprilaire Healthy Air SystemTM combines humidity control with fresh air ventilation and air filtration to keep your home protected from airborne viruses. The suite of award-winning products helps dilute and remove contaminants from the air to help you breathe easy in your home. Additionally, the system can be customized depending on your area’s specific climate needs.

To find the right Aprilaire whole-home humidifier for your home and to ask about the Aprilaire Healthy Air SystemTM, contact a Healthy Air Professional in your area to get started with combatting the ill effects of dry air in your home.

 

 

Healthy Humidity |

FAQs: Humidifiers

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Listed below are the top-10 FAQs about Aprilaire Humidifiers.

If your question is not answered here or if you require more assistance, please contact our Technical Support team.

How do I know which humidifier I have on my furnace? (Old owner’s manual has pictures to help identify which model)

A picture of the humidifier can be found in either our non-current or current humidifier owner’s manual. Please open either the non-current or current humidifier owner’s manuals and find the picture of the humidifiers towards the back of the owner’s manual.

Related: https://www.aprilaire.com/owner-center/owners-manuals

What is a water panel?

A water panel is the replaceable evaporative element in a humidifier that facilitates the conversion of water to vapor. Aprilaire produces two types of water panels, metal mesh, and wicking. The metal mesh is made of layered slit-and-expanded aluminum with a porous, ceramic-type slip coating that absorbs water and maintains the proper level of hydration for the evaporation process. The wicking type uses a heavy-duty paper panel and coated with an anti-microbial agent to prevent the growth of mold. It is reinforced with two layers of aluminum mesh. As warm air passes through the water panel, moisture is absorbed and carried into the home.

Related: Why Water Panels Need to be Changed Annually

My contractor plumbs my humidifier with hot water. Is that how it should be installed with my 600 Humidifier?

We recommend plumbing the 350, 360, 500, 600, and 700 Humidifiers to hot water in order to get the most out of the humidifiers. We advise using a standard hot water heater when plumbing to hot water in the home. The Aprilaire Humidifiers do not draw enough water to trigger tankless hot water heaters.

Will a 500 humidifier adequately humidify my 3000 sq ft home? Will the 600 or 700 Humidifier adequately humidify my 4000 sq ft home?

The 500 Humidifier can add up to about 11 gallons of humidity to the home per day, which is usually good for homes up to 1500 sq ft. The 600 and 700 Humidifiers each add up to 16-17 gallons of humidity a day, which is good for homes up to 3000 sq ft.

How does the blower activation operate with the humidistat?

The Blower Activation Switch is set to the “ON” position to allow the humidifier control to activate the HVAC fan for maximum humidification. For this setting, the Models 500, 600, and 700 Humidifier must be connected to hot water.

If the HVAC system has been idle for 1 hour, the humidifier control will activate the HVAC system fan to sample the air for 3 minutes. If the RH is lower than the setpoint, the humidifier control will activate the humidifier and keep the fan running. The humidifier will continue to operate for 2 hours or until the humidification setpoint is reached.

If the RH set point has not been reached by the end of a call for heat, the control will continue to operate the humidifier and the HVAC fan until the humidification setpoint is reached or 2 hours have elapsed.

When the Blower Activation switch is in the “OFF” position, the humidifier control will only operate the humidifier if humidity is required and the HVAC system fan is operating or the HVAC system is producing heat.

How accurate is the 60/62 humidistat?

The 60/62 Humidistats are tested to be within +/- 3% accurate from the factory before they are shipped out.

Do you have any other controls to control the humidifier or than the 60 or 62 humidistat?

The 65 Digital Manual Humidistat and 4655 Manual Humidistat are two humidistats that can be mounted on the wall to control the humidifiers. The 8620, 8620W, 8910, 8910W, and 8920W Aprilaire Thermostats all can control the humidifier in place of the 60 or 62 Humidistat.

Why is the service light flashing on the steam humidifier a week after changing the canister?

The Flashing Service light indicates sensed amperage is 75% of the maximum amperage recorded.

The reason why the flashing service light may be occurring is that the humidistat may not be giving the humidifier enough run time to condition the canister. If the hose is getting hot and the light is flashing, let the unit run and the flashing light will go away eventually once the amp draw in the canister grows. If the hose is not getting hot, then contact the service tech to troubleshoot the humidifier.

Related: Cleaning & Maintaining your Aprilaire Humidifier

How much water does the humidifier use per day when humidifying?

The 400, 500, 600, and 700 Humidifiers have a 3 gallon per hour feed rate. The 800 Steam Humidifier has an 11.5 gallons per hour feed rate. The 350 and 360 Humidifier have a 6 gallon per hour feed rate. The output of the humidifier and water usage is affected by the run time of the furnace, the set point of the humidistat, and the home’s ability to hold the humidity within the home.

During normal operation customers typically see 1-2 gallons of water usage per hour trying to maintain the humidity level with the 500, 600, and 700 humidifiers. We encourage the use of hot water with the 500, 600, and 700 Humidifiers in order to get a boost in the output of the humidifier. Water runs through the water panel and out through the drain when the furnace is running and whatever evaporates off of the water panel is what gets sent into the home. The 500 has a .5 gallon per hour evaporation rate, and the 600 has a .7 gallons of evaporation rate. The 700 has a .75 gallon per hour evaporation rate when mounted on the supply side of the furnace, and when mounted on the return air duct the humidifier has a .5 gallon evaporation rate. Hot water is required as a heat source with the 700 humidifier when mounted on the return air duct.

The 400 Humidifier evaporates 100% of the water supplied to the humidifier and uses .7 gallons of water per hour.

Customers with the 800 Steam Humidifier installed see water usage between 1-3 gallons of water per hour when trying to maintain the humidity in the home. The voltage level supplied to the humidifier will determine how quickly the canister heats up the water to boiling. The higher the voltage the faster the water heats up in the canister. Cold water is required with the 800 steam humidifier in order to temper the hot water that comes out of the drain of the humidifier when it completes its weekly drain of the canister.

Water usage for the 350 and 360 Evaporative Humidifiers usually see water usage between 2-3 gallons of hot water per hour when humidifying the home. Hot water is required as a heat source with the 350 and 360 humidifiers in order for evaporation to occur with the humidifier. The 350 and 360 Humidifier have a .5 gallons of evaporation per hour.

Does a UV light affect my humidifier in any way?

We encourage UV light installers to direct the light away from the plastics or to protect them with something like aluminum tape, which is UV immune. The scale control insert (plastic frame around the water panel) is made of a UV-resistant material but is not immune to the effects of the UV light. The water panel is clay-coated aluminum, so it will not be affected by UV light exposure.

 

 

AA Homepage Articles | News |

Experiencing the Fight For Air Climb

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Before the Fight For Air Climb

Entering the US Bank Center for the American Lung Association’s Fight For Air Climb was a rush of energy.

This seemed less like an arduous trek up 1,000 stairs and more of an indoor festival. There were volunteers ready to greet you and pump you up for the ensuing climb and people from different companies sitting at tables ready to hand out souvenirs.

They were probably also there to distract you after you just got done instinctively looking up toward the top of the 47-story US Bank Center in downtown Milwaukee becoming a little uneasy at the prospect of your journey upward.

Before you made your climb, you gathered as a team and took several escalators down to the basement level before getting warmed up with a quick aerobic routine. Then you took a long and winding tunnel where you greeted by more volunteers who were cheering you on. It was hard not to feel inspired and excited.

During the Fight For Air Climb

One-by-one people took off up toward the top of the US Bank Center to begin their Fight For Air Climb. I, like most, started off confidently and quickly. I took the first six flights easily, but then by flight eight, I began to fight for air. I now understand why they title this climb just that. My mind and my body were at odds. I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to continue at the same pace to get it over with as quickly as possible or to slow down and feel better. I went with the former.

Everyone in the stairwell was trudging onward with the same dilemma. We all were gasping for air as we kept pushing up each step and each flight toward the top of the Fight For Air Climb. At several points, I wondered if I was actually making any progress.

Every 10 flights there was a group of volunteers handing out cups of water and words of encouragement. Both were sorely needed to help push me along.

With each passing flight, I kept a tally of how many flights I had left. Twenty flights down, 27 more flights to go; 30 flights down, 17 flights to go; Ok, 40 flights down, 7 to go. By the time I got to the 40th floor, I knew I could make the last push to make it to the top of my Fight For Air Climb journey.

After the Fight For Air Climb

Eventually, I reached the top after 9 minutes and 31 seconds. At the top of the stairwell, I was met by volunteers who were cheering me on and by other climbers who were also catching their breath and taking in the picturesque views of Milwaukee and Lake Michigan afforded to us by the tallest building in Wisconsin.

As I grabbed a water and walked around soaking in both the views of the city and my accomplishment, it was really cool to watch teams taking pictures together or greeting other climbers with high-fives and smiles. There was a certain camaraderie found in a common struggle.

Despite the lingering soreness, I cannot wait for next year’s climb. No matter if I beat my time from this year or not, it’s about fighting for air together and helping those impacted with lung disease.

To join an upcoming climb in a city near you, visit www.lung.org/aprilaire.

Healthy Air | News |

Aprilaire Partner Contractor Joins Fight For Air Climb

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“What can you do or say when your family is suffering such losses? It’s devastating,” said Christopher Ciongoli, HVAC salesman/estimator with Aprilaire partner Whalen & Ives.

Chris is participating in the NYC American Lung Association Fight For Air Climb on April 4, 2020. When he heard that Aprilaire was the national Healthy Air sponsor of the event he signed on to the Aprilaire team.

“An opportunity to make difference just appeared to me on Jan 10th in an email from Aprilaire informing me about the Fight for Air Climb. This was it. This is how I would help make a difference and support my wife as well as so many others that are impacted by lung disease”.

Lung disease became an all too familiar fixture in Chris’s life last year when his brother-in-law, mother-in-law, and father-in-law all died from lung disease.

As of February 7, he’s raised 90 percent of his fundraising goal. Not only is Chris excited to help raise funds and awareness, he told us he’s already reaping the benefits of training for the 849-step climb.

“My blood pressure has dropped, my pants are getting loose, and my dog Crosby is getting back in shape too!”

Every morning he goes out with dog Crosby and strengthens his legs and increases his stamina to make sure he can make it to the 44th floor of the 1290 Avenue of Americas building in New York City.

Read more of Chris’s incredible journey by going to his page. Thank you for your efforts, Chris and we cannot wait to hear more.

For more information about the Fight For Air Climb and to find an event in your area, go to https://www.lung.org/aprilaire. To learn how to train for your own climb, head to our page where we share training tips to help you prepare for your own Fight For Air Climb.

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Aprilaire Partners with Wellness Within Your Walls

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Aprilaire is the exclusive Presenting Sponsor for 2020 for Wellness Within Your Walls.

Wellness Within Your Walls (WWYW) is an award-winning education and certification organization which supports reducing and eliminating toxins in living environments to improve overall health and wellness.

The organization’s one-of-a-kind education and certification process enables consumers and professionals to increase awareness about toxins in building materials and furnishings and guide them toward making homes healthier.

Wellness Within Your Walls partnership for national campaign

WWYW will partner with Aprilaire to launch a national “Breathe Healthy” awareness campaign in 2020 to educate consumers, homeowners and the build/design community about the latest products and services that help improve air quality in homes.

“We believe everyone deserves to breathe healthy air, and we believe in the power of education,” said Dale Philippi, president of Aprilaire. “Our mission is to enhance everyone’s health by improving the air in their homes. We are proud to partner with WWYW– an organization building awareness with consumers and professionals about the importance of healthy air.”

“We are excited by our new partnership with Aprilaire. They offer products that solve multiple issues relating to affordable ventilation and humidity control for homes and we’re proud to work with Aprilaire to further elevate the dialog about health and wellness in living environments,” said Jillian Pritchard Cooke, founder of WWYW.

In addition to the “Breathe Healthy” campaign with WWYW, Aprilaire is the FY20 National Healthy Air Sponsor for the American Lung Association Fight For Air Climb events which support raising awareness of the importance of indoor air quality. The two initiatives will dovetail to further educate consumers and professionals alike about why healthy air – especially in the home, is vital for good health. Good air quality improves overall wellness, helps prevent irritating allergens and pests, and helps shield homes from costly damages.

About Wellness Within Your Walls

Wellness Within Your Walls® is an award-winning informational resource group created to provide education and guidance on chemicals commonly found in living and working spaces. With a goal to empower and guide consumers and professionals toward healthier living environments, WWYW certifies people, places, products and programs globally through education and health and wellness protocols. WWYW’s 10-step holistic approach, known as the Healthy Living System™, results in a legacy of health, harmony and sustainability in living environments. WWYW was founded by Jillian Pritchard Cooke, a 30-year industry veteran with experience as president of interior design firm DES-SYN and owner of the eco-living lifestyle boutique BEE. While designing Atlanta’s EcoManor in 2006, the first Gold LEED-certified single-family residence in the U.S., a cancer diagnosis became the catalyst for turning Jillian’s expertise into a passionate commitment to create healthier living environments by reducing toxins. Wellness Within Your Walls was born. The organization provides frequent and sought-after speakers at trade shows, educational opportunities, workshops, seminars and other industry events. For more information, visit: http://www.wellnesswithinyourwalls.com.