AprilAire 500 Humidifier | Installation in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, South Shore and North Shore
Is it the right size for your home?
It puts 12 gallons of water a day into the air (with 49 °C (120 °F) furnace air), enough to humidify up to 1,500 sq ft according to the manufacturer. Pick your home's living area.
It's the right size.
For a condo or house under 900 sq ft, it's within its range. It will run at part load on ordinary days and keep a reserve for the coldest days.
Area published by AprilAire for an average-construction home. For a very tight home, AprilAire advertises up to 3,600 sq ft. Older or leaky house: go one size up; our estimator confirms it on site.
What it does, in numbers
Output: manufacturer's spec (12 gal/day, with 49 °C (120 °F) furnace air).
What you should know about this one
Published, verifiable figures, not brochure claims.
12 galWhat it produces per day, at full output
About 45 litres of water turned into humidity in 24 hours. The control runs it to match the humidity you set: it rarely runs flat out, except in very cold weather.
Heat pumpBehind a heat pump, it produces less
It evaporates water from a pad using the heat of the air coming off the furnace. A heat pump blows cooler air, so it evaporates less. With a heat pump, talk to our estimator: depending on the manufacturer, we connect it to hot water or suggest a steam model instead.
9½ in.The most compact AprilAire
It needs a 9½ × 9½ in. opening in the plenum. It's the model for smaller homes and narrow plenums.
0.5 gal/hWhat it actually evaporates
It takes in about 3 gal of water an hour and evaporates 0.5. The rest rinses the pad and goes down the drain.
ControlThe control that comes with it
AprilAire Model 60 automatic digital control with outdoor sensor: it lowers the humidity setting as the cold deepens, to keep condensation off the windows.
UpkeepWhat gets replaced, and when
AprilAire #10 water panel, smaller than the #35 in the 600 and 700, replace at least once a year.
35%The humidity to aim for in winter, at most
At −7 °C, no more than 35%; at −18 °C, no more than 25%. Above that, the moisture condenses on the windows. The control adjusts for you if it has an outdoor sensor.
5 yearsThe parts warranty
Parts are covered for 5 years by the manufacturer. We register the warranty in your name at start-up.
What it needs on site
Our estimator checks the ducts, the water supply and the drain before ordering.
Complete spec sheetData and cited sources
- Brand
- AprilAire
- Model
- AprilAire 500
- Type
- Bypass
- Output
- 12 US gal/day (with 49 °C (120 °F) furnace air)
- Water to drain
- About 3 gal/h while running
- Control included
- AprilAire Model 60 automatic digital control with outdoor sensor: it lowers the humidity setting as the cold deepens, to keep condensation off the windows.
- Upkeep
- AprilAire #10 water panel, smaller than the #35 in the 600 and 700, replace at least once a year.
- Living area
- Up to 1,500 sq ft
- Dimensions (L × D × H)
- 15.63 × 10.25 × 13 in
- Power supply
- 24 V
- Current
- 0.5 A
- Warranty — parts
- 5 years
Output, dimensions, electrical data and warranty: AprilAire manufacturer's data.
The next model down and up
Talk to an HVAC technician before you choose
We look at your heating system, the electrical panel, the water supply and the drain, and give you an installed price.
AprilAire 500: the most compact AprilAire bypass humidifier
The AprilAire 500 is designed for smaller homes and narrow plenums. It puts out 12 gal/day with 120 °F (49 °C) furnace air and covers up to 1,500 sq ft according to the manufacturer. It mounts on the plenum of a forced-air furnace, with a bypass duct.
What sets it apart
- A 9½ × 9½ in. opening: the smallest in the lineup, useful when a 600 won't fit.
- The #10 water panel: smaller than the #35 in the 600 and 700.
- The AprilAire Model 60 control: digital and automatic, with an outdoor sensor, it lowers the humidity setting as the cold deepens to keep condensation off the windows.
What it needs on site
It needs a 6 in. round bypass duct, a water supply and a drain. The 500 takes in about 3 gal of water an hour and evaporates 0.5; the rest rinses the pad before going down the drain. The valve runs on 24 V (0.5 A). Behind a heat pump, the air going through the pad is cooler and output drops. The pad is replaced at least once a year.
Our crew installs it
Our technicians install the AprilAire 500 from start to finish. An estimator first comes to check the furnace, the electrical panel, the water and the drain, then gives you a quote for the installed unit. Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, South Shore and North Shore: 514 316-2973.