Aprilaire 1310 - User Manual

Media Air Cleaners
Model 1210, 1310, 1410, 1510 & 1610
Owner’s Manual

Summary

Introduction and Performance

How the Air Cleaner Works

Explains installation and function within HVAC systems, detailing air circulation and particle removal.

Common Pollutants and Particle Sizes

Illustrates and describes various common air pollutants and their sizes in microns.

Operation and Maintenance

Household Air Cleaning Operation

Details how household dust, pollen, and spores are handled by the air cleaner during HVAC operation.

Filter Replacement Requirements

Outlines the necessity of periodic replacement of filtering media and factors affecting frequency.

Selecting Filter Media

Provides guidance on choosing the appropriate Aprilaire filter media based on home needs and pollutants.

Warranty and Commitments

10 Year Clean Coil Commitment

Details the Aprilaire guarantee for professional cleaning of indoor coils when using their air cleaner.

Limited Warranty Information

Explains the five-year limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship and exclusions.

Warranty Registration Process

Provides instructions on how to register the Aprilaire product online or via mail for warranty purposes.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

The Aprilaire Media Air Cleaner is a whole-house air cleaning system designed to integrate with your existing heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system to improve indoor air quality. It works by cleaning the air that circulates throughout your home, removing various particles and contaminants to create a healthier living environment and protect your HVAC equipment.

Function Description

The primary function of the Aprilaire Media Air Cleaner is to filter airborne particles from your home's air. When your heating or cooling equipment is running, air from your home is drawn through return ducts to the HVAC unit. Before the conditioned air is sent back into your rooms through the supply ducts, it passes through the Aprilaire air cleaner, where the filtering media captures and holds a wide range of particles. This continuous filtration process helps to reduce the presence of common pollutants such as dust, pollen, spores, pet dander, and even smaller virus-sized particles and bacteria.

The air cleaner is installed on or near your furnace or air handler, strategically placed to intercept the air before it enters the conditioning equipment. By removing particles, it not only ensures cleaner air for you to breathe but also helps keep the internal components of your HVAC system clean. This protection can contribute to the longevity and efficiency of your heating and cooling equipment, potentially reducing the need for professional coil cleaning.

The effectiveness of the air cleaner is directly tied to the operation of your HVAC system's blower. For continuous air cleaning, the thermostat should be set to "Fan On," which keeps the blower running constantly. If continuous cleaning is not desired, setting the thermostat to "Fan Auto" will ensure that the air cleaner operates whenever the heating or cooling system is actively conditioning the air.

The air cleaner is particularly beneficial for addressing specific indoor air quality concerns. For instance, during activities that generate a lot of dust, such as vacuuming, operating the air cleaner during and for several hours afterward helps capture the stirred-up particles before they settle. For individuals with allergies aggravated by pollens and spores, continuous operation of the air cleaner is strongly encouraged when these pollutants are prevalent in the environment, as the cleaner can only be effective when contaminated air is drawn through its filtering media.

The system is designed to capture particles of various sizes, from larger dust particles and pollens (typically 10-100 microns) down to much smaller particles like virus-sized particles and bacteria (as small as 0.01 microns). The filtering media's ability to capture and permanently hold these particles is a key aspect of its high-efficiency performance, distinguishing it from ordinary furnace filters.

Usage Features

The Aprilaire Media Air Cleaner is designed for seamless integration into your home's existing HVAC system, making its operation largely automatic once installed. The primary user interaction involves setting your thermostat to control the fan operation, which in turn dictates when the air cleaner is actively filtering air.

• Continuous Air Cleaning: To achieve continuous air cleaning, you should set your thermostat's fan mode to "Fan On." This ensures that the HVAC blower runs constantly, drawing air through the Aprilaire air cleaner and providing ongoing filtration throughout your home. This setting is particularly recommended for households with allergy sufferers or those seeking the highest level of indoor air quality.
• Periodic Air Cleaning: If continuous fan operation is not desired or necessary, you can set your thermostat's fan mode to "Fan Auto." In this mode, the air cleaner will operate whenever your heating or cooling system is actively running. This provides filtration during periods when the HVAC system is engaged.
• Targeted Cleaning for Dust Generation: For situations where significant dust is generated, such as during vacuuming or other vigorous household activities, it is beneficial to operate the air cleaner during and for several hours after these activities. This helps capture the stirred-up dust particles before they have a chance to settle, improving overall air cleanliness.
• Allergy and Spore Management: For individuals concerned about allergy symptoms aggravated by pollens and spores, continuous operation of the air cleaner is highly recommended during seasons or periods when these pollutants are present in the environment. Consistent filtration helps minimize exposure to these airborne irritants.
• Quiet Operation: As the air cleaner works in conjunction with your existing HVAC blower, its operation is typically quiet and unobtrusive, blending into the background noise of your home's heating and cooling system.
• Compatibility with HVAC Systems: The Aprilaire Media Air Cleaner is designed to be compatible with a wide range of heating and air conditioning systems, making it a versatile addition to most homes. Its installation by a licensed HVAC contractor ensures proper integration and optimal performance.

Maintenance Features

Maintaining the Aprilaire Media Air Cleaner is straightforward, primarily involving the periodic replacement of the disposable filtering media. This design minimizes user effort and ensures consistent performance over time.

• Disposable Filtering Media: The core maintenance task is replacing the Aprilaire SelfSeal™ filtering media. This media is designed to be disposable, meaning you simply remove the old, dirty filter and insert a new one. The process is quick and can typically be completed in a few minutes.
• Replacement Frequency: The frequency of media replacement depends on several factors, including:
  • Operation Time: How often your HVAC blower runs (e.g., continuously vs. auto mode). Continuous operation will generally require more frequent replacement.
  • Particle Generation: The amount of airborne particles generated in your home, influenced by factors such as:
    • Number of Occupants and Activities: More people and active lifestyles can generate more dust and particles.
    • Carpeting: Homes with extensive carpeting tend to accumulate and release more dust.
    • Pets: Pet dander is a significant source of airborne particles.
    • Home Size: Larger homes may have more air to filter.
    • Smokers: Tobacco smoke significantly increases indoor air pollution.
    • Local Pollution Levels: Homes in areas with higher outdoor pollution may experience more indoor particle infiltration.
• Recommended Replacement Schedule: Aprilaire generally recommends replacing the media once a year. However, if your blower does not run continuously, the media may last up to two years. Conversely, for larger air conditioning systems (over 3.5 tons) or heating systems (over 130,000 BTUs per hour / 1400 cfm) that operate continuously, more frequent attention and replacement may be necessary.
• Genuine Aprilaire Filters: It is crucial to use genuine Aprilaire SelfSeal™ filters for replacement. These filters are specifically designed for your Aprilaire air cleaner model to ensure optimal performance and proper fit.
• Proper Orientation: When replacing the filtering media, it is important to follow the step-by-step directions provided on the filter carton to ensure it is installed in the correct orientation. The outlet side of the filtering media, which is typically the expanded metal, must face the correct direction for effective filtration.
• Filter Model Identification: The specific model number for your replacement filtering media can be easily found on a label located inside the air cleaner door, simplifying the reordering process.
• Pre-Replacement Step: Before removing the air cleaner door to access the filter, it is important to turn your thermostat mode to "off" and the fan to "auto" to prevent accidental operation of the HVAC system during maintenance.
• Professional Installation and Maintenance: While media replacement is a user-friendly task, the initial installation of the Aprilaire Media Air Cleaner should be performed by a licensed HVAC contractor. This ensures proper integration with your existing system and adherence to warranty requirements.
• Clean Coil Commitment: Aprilaire offers a 10-year clean coil commitment, guaranteeing that if your new indoor air conditioning coil requires professional cleaning within 10 years while properly using an Aprilaire Air Cleaner, they will contribute towards the cleaning cost. This commitment underscores the air cleaner's role in protecting HVAC equipment and highlights the importance of proper maintenance, including using only Aprilaire brand media replacements.

Aprilaire 1310 Specifications