AprilAire 800 Whole-House Steam Humidifier: In-Depth Review

If you’re struggling with dry air in your home, especially during the winter months, or dealing with the negative impacts of low humidity, the AprilAire 800 Whole-House Steam Humidifier might just be the solution you need. As a top-of-the-line product from a trusted brand in indoor air quality, this steam humidifier promises a host of features to maintain ideal humidity levels in homes up to 10,300 square feet. In this review, we will break down the key features, performance, customer feedback, pros and cons, and offer a final verdict to help you decide if this humidifier is the right choice for your home.

Key Features and Specifications

The AprilAire 800 Whole-House Steam Humidifier is built with both performance and convenience in mind. Let’s look at the detailed specifications and key features that make this model stand out in the crowded humidifier market.

Specifications

Specification	Detail
Brand	Aprilaire
Model	800
Special Features	Adjustable Humidity Control, Auto Shut Off, Digital Display, Humidistat, Service Filter Indicator
Color	Gray
Filter Type	Steam Canister
Floor Area Coverage	10,300 Square Feet
Capacity	11.5 G/day
Runtime	0 minutes (Continuous operation)
Material	Metal
Power Source	AC
Dimensions (L x W x H)	22 x 16 x 12 inches
Weight	20 lbs
Water Filtration	Not required

Key Features

1. Full Coverage Up to 10,300 Sq. Ft.
   • The AprilAire 800 can handle large homes up to 10,300 square feet, which is ideal for large families or multi-level homes. It comes with six levels of output, providing flexibility in moisture delivery, ranging from 11.5 to 34.6 gallons per day depending on your home’s needs and installation.
2. Automatic Humidity Control
   • The humidifier is equipped with dual sensors that monitor both outdoor temperature and indoor relative humidity to adjust and maintain optimum humidity levels automatically. Once set, the device takes care of the rest, ensuring consistent comfort throughout the day and night.
3. No Need for Purified Water
   • Unlike many other humidifiers that require distilled or purified water, the AprilAire 800 uses electrode technology, which benefits from impurities in the water to facilitate efficient operation. This feature reduces maintenance and installation complexity.
4. Health Benefits
   • Maintaining a humidity level between 40% and 60% is crucial for health, especially in colder months when dry air can exacerbate respiratory issues, allergies, and skin irritation. By ensuring optimal humidity, this model helps reduce the chances of respiratory infections, asthma attacks, and allergic reactions.
5. Energy Efficient
   • By optimizing the humidity in your home, the AprilAire 800 can also help reduce energy consumption. Proper humidity can make the air feel warmer in winter, which may prevent your furnace from overworking.
6. Easy Maintenance
   • The humidifier features a simple design with replaceable canisters that need to be changed once per humidifying season. This eliminates the need for frequent cleaning, reducing upkeep to a minimum.

Performance

The AprilAire 800 excels in performance thanks to its robust construction and reliable operation. Its large coverage area and adjustable moisture output make it adaptable to various home sizes and climates.

Humidity Control

The humidifier’s dual sensors for both indoor and outdoor humidity ensure that your home remains at the perfect moisture level 24/7. This “set and forget” feature is highly convenient, as it doesn’t require constant attention or adjustment once it’s installed. Whether you’re dealing with dry winter air or high humidity in the summer, the system efficiently adjusts to create a balanced environment.

Efficiency and Reliability

One of the key selling points of the AprilAire 800 is its efficiency in delivering consistent humidity. Even in large homes, it can run for extended periods, maintaining the desired humidity levels without needing constant recharging or refilling. The unit also operates quietly, ensuring that it doesn’t disrupt the tranquility of your home.

Water Usage

Because this humidifier does not require purified water, it is less of a hassle to install and maintain compared to others that demand specific water types. The wide range of water hardness compatibility (between 3 and 36 grains) ensures that it can function effectively in most water conditions.

Energy Efficiency

Many users report noticing a reduction in energy costs after installing the AprilAire 800. The humidifier’s ability to maintain a comfortable home temperature while reducing strain on heating systems is a significant advantage, especially in colder climates.

Customer Feedback

Overall, the AprilAire 800 Whole-House Steam Humidifier receives positive reviews for its functionality and ease of use. Let’s look at some common themes in customer feedback:

What Customers Love

1. Ease of Use: Many users appreciate the “set it and forget it” nature of the unit. Once installed and set to the desired humidity level, the system runs automatically without needing much intervention.
2. Large Coverage Area: Homeowners with large spaces or multi-level homes are particularly pleased with the wide coverage of the unit, which can handle areas up to 10,300 square feet.
3. Health Benefits: Customers report improved air quality and health benefits, such as fewer respiratory infections and better sleep, after installing the AprilAire 800.
4. Minimal Maintenance: The ease of maintenance—particularly the need to only replace the steam canister once a season—has garnered high marks from customers. This is a welcome change from the constant cleaning required by other humidifiers.
5. Quiet Operation: The unit operates with minimal noise, which is a key selling point for those who are sensitive to noise or have bedrooms close to the installation area.

What Customers Don’t Like

1. Initial Installation Cost: While the product is efficient and durable, the initial cost of installation and the unit itself can be a bit high for some customers. However, many agree that the investment is justified in the long run due to the benefits.
2. Size and Weight: Some users find the size and weight of the unit a bit cumbersome, especially if they are looking for a smaller, more portable option. However, this is largely a trade-off for the unit’s capacity and performance.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Large Coverage Area: Perfect for large homes or spaces.
• Automatic Operation: Dual sensors for consistent, hands-off humidity control.
• Health Benefits: Reduces airborne illnesses, respiratory issues, and dryness-related skin problems.
• Energy Efficient: Helps maintain comfortable indoor temperatures and reduces furnace strain.
• Low Maintenance: Easy-to-replace canisters with minimal cleaning required.

Cons

• High Initial Cost: The upfront cost of the unit and installation can be steep.
• Size and Weight: Not as compact as some smaller, portable humidifiers.

Final Verdict

The AprilAire 800 Whole-House Steam Humidifier is an excellent choice for homeowners who need consistent humidity control over large areas. Its automatic sensors, large coverage area, and health benefits make it a standout product in the humidification market. While the initial investment and canister replacement costs may deter some, the long-term benefits in air quality, energy savings, and comfort make it a solid option for those looking to improve their home’s humidity.

Enjoyed this review of AprilAire 800 Whole-House Steam Humidifier? Then be sure to check out our other guides.

• Best Portable Evaporative Swamp Cooler
• Best Dehumidifier for Basement
• Best Crawl Space Dehumidifier
• Best Whole House Dehumidifier
• Best Small Dehumidifier for Bathroom
• Best Dehumidifier for RV
• Best Whole House Humidifier