AprilAire Model 500 Whole-Home Humidifier
About this product
The Minnesota-winter no-brainer. A whole-home humidifier tied into your furnace ductwork maintains 35-45% humidity through dry winter months — no more nosebleeds, cracking wood floors, static shocks, or dried-out sinuses.
What it does
Bypass-style evaporative humidifier designed for homes up to 3,000 sqft. Installs on the return or supply duct of your forced-air furnace. When the furnace runs, warm dry air passes through a moistened water panel and returns to the home at 35-45% humidity.
Why you'll want it
- Eliminates dry-winter health symptoms: nosebleeds, cracked lips, static shocks, dry eyes
- Protects wood floors, furniture, and musical instruments from winter shrinkage cracking
- Reduces heating bills — humid air at 68°F feels as warm as dry air at 72°F
- Automatic model (500) adjusts humidity based on outdoor temperature
- Designed and manufactured in USA by AprilAire (inventor of whole-home humidifiers)
Installation
Mounted on the return or supply trunk of your forced-air furnace. Requires a bypass duct connection, cold water supply line, and condensate drain. Wires into the furnace low-voltage control circuit. A licensed HVAC technician should install — typical time is 2-3 hours.
What's in the box
- Aprilaire 500 humidifier housing
- Water panel (replaceable)
- Humidistat control (Model 500 Automatic or 4655 Manual depending on variant)
- Bypass duct kit
- Solenoid water valve
- Transformer and wiring
- Installation instructions
Common questions
Automatic (Model 500) is recommended for most homes — it adjusts humidity based on outdoor temperature, preventing window condensation on cold days. Manual (500M) is simpler and cheaper but requires you to adjust the dial each season.
Replace the water panel (filter) once a year. That's it. $20-30 replacement, 10-minute job.
Properly installed and maintained, no. The water panel dries between cycles, and the flow-through design prevents standing water.
Specifications
| Brand | AprilAire |
| SKU | APR-500 |
| Type | Humidifiers |
| Warranty | Manufacturer |
| Shipping | Free pallet freight |
What customers are saying
Saved $2,400 vs local contractor
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Fast shipping, exactly as described
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Installer said same one he'd buy at supply house
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Heating my 2,200 sq ft home perfectly
Installed my 96% AFUE furnace a couple months ago. Heats my 2,200 sq ft home perfectly, and my gas bill dropped noticeably compared to the old unit. Great product, great price, great experience from start to finish.
Saved enough to pay for the install
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No-pressure, honest pricing
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