I currently have an Aprilaire 550 humidifier. As you know each year you should replace the screen in the solenoid of your humidifier. The solenoid is the valve that controls the water flow into the humidifier. So last week I went to Schmidlin Plumbing in search for a replacement screen. In my discussion with a very knowledgeable saleslady I told her how the water was not flowing into the filter of my humidifier. She informed me of the benefits of white vinegar, and how white vinegar could be instrumental in maintaining one's humidifier. She mentioned that by boiling white vinegar it changes the molecules in the white vinegar and will help break down any calcium that is in the solenoid. It is the calcium in the water that prevents water from flowing through the solenoid.
What I needed to maintain my humidifier
- 2 cups of white vinegar
- Cooking Pot
- Phillips Screwdriver
- 2 Wrenches
- 1 Cup Plastic Measuring Cup
- Plastic Pick
- Replacement Screen
- Humidifier Filter
- Bucket
So let's start....First you need to turn off your furnace. Next turn off the valve that supplies the water to the humidifier. Take your phillips screwdriver and remove the solenoid from the humidifier. Prior to disconnecting the solenoid from the water source, be sure to place your bucket under the solenoid valve to catch any water. Go ahead and take your two wrenches and disconnect one side of the solenoid. Then go ahead and do the other side. Now you need to remove the screen. Don't tell my dentist hygienist, but I used one of the many plastic tooth picks she gives me to remove the screen. It was amazing how well it worked.
Now it's time to cook up your white vinegar. Put 2 cups of white vinegar in a cooking pot and bring it to a boil. Pour the white vinegar in a one cup plastic measuring cup filling it about half way full. Go ahead and put the solenoid into the liquid. Be sure to just let the liguid flow through the two ports. Do not submerge the entire valve. Doing this may cause damage to the valve. Because the liquid cools quickly I did this process twice.
It's time now to put in the plastic screen, and reconnect the solenoid.
Open your humidifier and take out the filter. Clean any deposits from the filter frame with just some soap and water. Rinse the frame and then put in the filter. Now go ahead and close your humidifier.l
Are you ready.........Turn on your water source, turn on your furnace, and open the cover of your humidifier to see the water flowing into the top of the filter.
Congratulations you did it!
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