Aprilaire 1870W Dehumidifier Owner’s Manual
- June 8, 2024
- Aprilaire
Table of Contents
1870W Dehumidifier
Owner’s Manual
1870W Dehumidifier
PLEASE LEAVE THIS MANUAL WITH THE HOMEOWNERb
Installed by: __ Installer Phone: ___ Date Installed: 
WHOLE HOME DEHUMIDIFICATION
The Aprilaire® Dehumidifier controls the humidity level in your entire home. A
powerful blower inside the dehumidifier draws air into the cabinet, filters
the air and removes moisture, then discharges the dry air into the HVAC system
or dedicated area of the home. Inside the cabinet, a sealed refrigeration
system removes moisture by moving the air through a series of tubes and fins
that are kept colder than the dew point of the incoming air. The dew point is
the temperature at which moisture in the air will condense, much like what
occurs on the outside of a cold glass on a hot summer day. The condensed
moisture drips into the dehumidifier drain pan to a drain tube routed to the
nearest floor drain or condensate pump. After the moisture is removed, the air
moves through a second coil where it is reheated before being sent back into
the home. The air leaving the dehumidifier will be warmer and drier than the
air entering the dehumidifier.
You can reduce the amount of humidity that enters the home by closing windows,
doors, and fireplace flues when outdoor humidity is high, and by drying
clothes outside. Direct exhaust from kitchen vents and bath fans is the best
means of controlling humidity due to cooking and showers/baths. The
dehumidifier is not designed to prevent window condensation in winter. Use
ventilation to lower indoor humidity levels in the winter.
SETTING THE DESIRED HUMIDITY LEVEL
The dehumidifier on-board control will display the humidity setting when
not running, and displays the measured humidity when running.
The UP and DOWN arrow buttons allow the humidity level to be set from 40% to
80% relative humidity. Use the ON/OFF button to turn the dehumidifier ON or
OFF.
Set the control at 55%RH when first installed. Allow the dehumidifier to run
until it reaches the setting before deciding if you want to change the
setting.
- If you prefer the air to be more dry, decrease the humidity setting.
- If you prefer the air to be less dry, increase the humidity setting.
Your comfort is the best measure of how to adjust your setting. When first
installed, your dehumidifier has to remove all the moisture that is initially
in your home. The home acts like a sponge so the moisture in the materials of
your home is at the same level as the air. After drying the air, the materials
of the home will release moisture back into the air until they are again at
the same level. As a result, it is not uncommon for the dehumidifier to
operate for an extended period when first installed.
ENERGY SAVINGS TIPS
Energy Savings Tip #1: Adjust the humidity setting to be as high as is
comfortable to reduce dehumidifier run time. If it feels clammy or “smells
musty”, lower the humidity setting. To save energy, turn the dehumidifier to
OFF when you open your windows, just as you would with air conditioning.
Energy Savings Tip #2: If vacating your home for an extended period in
the summer, set the RH at 55% and set your thermostat as high as you are
comfortable setting it to in the cooling mode. Consult with appropriate
professionals regarding the highest temperature that is safe for your pets or
possessions. This will keep the humidity at a controlled level while
minimizing the amount of cooling energy used.
HOW DOES THE DEHUMIDIFIER WORk?
Once per hour the dehumidifier will measure the humidity level of the air and
compare it to the humidity setting. If the humidity in your home is higher
than the setting, the dehumidifier will dehumidify the air until the humidity
level drops below the setting.
NOTE: The dehumidifier will continue to dehumidify until the humidity
level is 3%RH below the setting. When the dehumidifier turns on, the blower
circulates the air for 3 minutes before measuring the humidity level of the
air. The on-board control will display AIR SAMPLING, along with the measured
humidity on the control screen. If the humidity of the air is higher than the
setting, the compressor turns on and the control will display DEHUMIDIFYING,
along with the measured humidity on the control screen.
Your dehumidifier is equipped with two features that protect against unwanted
energy consumption. Defrost is a normal operating mode that helps to prevent
significant ice formation on the refrigeration system coil. The dehumidifier
display will show “DEFROSTING” when operating in this mode. This mode can
occur when there is not enough air moving through the dehumidifier or if the
temperature and/or humidity of the incoming air is too low. The second
protection feature is the E8 code. E8 on the dehumidifier display indicates
that the air entering the dehumidifier is below 50°F or above 104°F, or the
dew point of the incoming air is below 40°F. There would be a significant
reduction in dehumidifier efficiency if the dehumidifier operated outside of
these conditions. Low dew point conditions can be seen in some basements or
crawl spaces and usually occur in the Winter and Spring months. The
dehumidifier continues to monitor the incoming air and when the conditions are
within the operating range, E8 will be removed from the display and
dehumidification will begin as needed.
OPTIONAL – HEATINg AND COOLINg SySTEM BLOWER OPERATION
Your installing contractor may have configured the dehumidifier to turn on the
heating and cooling system blower when the dehumidifier turns on to allow for
improved circulation of the dry air.
EXTERNAL CONTROL OPTIONS
Your Aprilaire dehumidifier can be controlled with an optional external
control that is conveniently located in the living space. The Aprilaire Model
76, 8620, and 8910 are recommended controls. The Model 76 is a dedicated
dehumidifier control and the 8620 and 8910 integrate dehumidification control
as part of the thermostat minimizing the number of controls on the wall.
The Model 76 can also act as a remote control if the dehumidifier is located
in a crawl space. Install the Model 76 in your living space and make changes
to the dehumidifier setting or find out what the humidity level is in the
crawl space from the comfort and convenience of the living space. If one of
these controls or any other external control is installed, please refer to
their owner’s manuals for operating instructions. Aprilaire owner’s manuals
are available at www.aprilaire.com.
If you are interested in having an external control installed, please consult
your installing contractor.
Model 76 Control *Model 8620 Thermostat or Model 8910 Home Comfort
Control™*
Model 8910
consists of a thermostat and equipment control module to accommodate the
installation of various IAQ accessories.
HOW DOES THE OPTIONAL VENTILATION WORk?
If you had your contractor install the optional ventilation feature, they
calculated how much fresh air was needed based on various factors (i.e. home
size, number of occupants, local building codes, etc.). Knowing how much is
needed and the rate at which fresh air will be brought into your home, the
contractor set up the dehumidifier control to operate ventilation a certain
amount of time per hour to provide the needed fresh air. When ventilation
operates, a damper in a duct that brings air in from the outside opens, and
your heating and cooling system blower will run to distribute the fresh air.
If you need to change the amount of time to operate ventilation, press the
MODE button twice to display the ventilation time setting. Use the UP or DOWN
button to adjust the number of minutes per hour (0 – 60, set to zero to turn
it off) that ventilation is to run. The control will return to the
dehumidifier setting display automatically.
For additional information, go to
www.aprilaire.com to find out more about the
benefits of home ventilation.
MAINTENANCE
CLEAN OR REPLACE THE AIR FILTER
After initial installation the air filter should be checked and cleaned
every 6 months. The CLEAN FILTER service reminderwill display on the on-board
control screen every 6 months. To clear the service message, press the UP and
DOWN arrows simultaneously for 3 seconds. Filter Cleaning Procedure
- Turn the ON/OFF switch OFF.
- Remove the filter access door from either side of the dehumidifier.
- Slide the filter out of the dehumidifier.
- Flush the filter with warm water and a mild detergent solution.
- Shake off the excess water from the filter.
- Replace the filter, making sure the filter is secured in both the top and bottom filter rails.
- Replace the filter access door.
- Turn the ON/OFF switch ON.
- Press the UP and DOWN buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds to clear the service message.
MAINTENANCE (CONTINUED)
CHECk THE DRAIN
The drain should be checked annually to ensure there are no blockages or air
lock in the drain system. If the unit is not draining properly, have it
checked by a qualified service professional.
**CAUTION**
Do not use spray solvents or cleaners on or near the inlet side of the
dehumidifier. If desired, apply cleaner to a cloth and use to clean the
cabinet.
TROUBLESHOOTING
DIAGNOSTIC CODES
The on-board control will display a diagnostic code if an error should occur
and service is required.
Contact your installing contractor if E1– E7 or E9 is displayed on the on-
board control screen. E8 will be displayed if the incoming air temperature is
below 50°F, above 104°F, or when the dew point is below 40°F. When the
incoming air is within the acceptable range, the dehumidifier will resume
operation. If the error persists, contact your installing
contractor.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Your Research Products Corporation Aprilaire® Dehumidifier is expressly
warranted for five (5) years from date of installation to be free from defects
in materials or workmanship.
Research Products Corporation’s exclusive obligation under this warranty shall
be to supply, without charge, a replacement for any component which is found
to be defective within such
five (5) year period and which is returned not later than thirty (30) days
after said five (5) year period by you to either your original supplier or to
Research Products Corporation, Madison, Wisconsin 53701, together with the
model number and installation date of the dehumidifier.
THIS WARRANTY SHALL NOT OBLIGATE RESEARCH PRODUCTS CORPORATION FOR ANY LABOR
COSTS AND SHALL NOT APPLY TO DEFECTS IN WORKMANSHIP OR MATERIALS FURNISHED BY
YOUR INSTALLER AS CONTRASTED TO DEFECTS IN THE DEHUMIDIFIER ITSELF.
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
SHALL BE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE AFORESAID FIVE YEAR PERIOD. RESEARCH
PRODUCTS CORPORATION’S LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,
OTHER THAN DAMAGES FOR PERSONAL INJURIES, RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF THE
AFORESAID IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR THE ABOVE LIMITED WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY
EXCLUDED. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS VOID IF DEFECT(S) RESULT FROM FAILURE TO
HAVE
THIS UNIT INSTALLED BY A QUALIFIED HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTOR. IF
THE LIMITED WARRANTY IS VOID DUE TO FAILURE TO USE A QUALIFIED CONTRACTOR, ALL
DISCLAIMERS OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES SHALL BE EFFECTIVE UPON INSTALLATION.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or
the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages so the
above exclusion or limitations may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other
rights which vary from state to state.
WARRANTY REGISTRATION
Visit us on-line at www.aprilaire.com to register
your Aprilaire product. If you do not have on-line access, please mail a
postcard with your name, address, phone number, email address, product
purchased, model number, date of purchase and dealer name and address to:
Research Products Corporation, P.O. Box 1467, Madison, WI 53701 Your Warranty
Registration information will not be sold or shared outside of this company.
P.O. Box 1467
Madison, WI 53701-1467
Phone: 800/334-6011
Fax: 608/257-4357
www.aprilaire.com
10011018 5.15
B2206475A
Printed in U.S.A.
© 2015 Aprilaire – A division of Research Products Corporation
References
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