The Aprilaire Model 8476 Thermostat with Event-Based™ Air Cleaning is a sophisticated control device designed to manage your home's heating, cooling, and air quality systems efficiently. This owner's manual provides comprehensive operating instructions and warranty information, ensuring users can maximize the thermostat's capabilities.
Function Description
The primary function of the Aprilaire 8476 thermostat is to regulate your home's indoor temperature and manage air cleaning operations. It supports various system modes including OFF, HEAT, EM-HEAT (Emergency Heat), COOL, and AUTO. In AUTO mode, the thermostat intelligently switches between heating and cooling based on the indoor temperature to maintain a comfortable environment. The Event-Based™ Air Cleaning feature is a key differentiator, allowing users to control air purification based on specific needs or events, rather than just continuous operation. This system is designed to work with heat pumps that have auxiliary heat, providing precise control over different heating stages.
Usage Features
The thermostat boasts a user-friendly interface with a large, clear, backlit display that is easy to read, even in low-light conditions. The display shows essential information such as the current room temperature, the set temperature, and optionally, the outdoor temperature.
- System Mode Selection: Users can easily select their desired system mode (OFF, HEAT, EM-HEAT, COOL, AUTO) using the dedicated MODE button. This flexibility allows for tailored climate control throughout the year.
- Temperature Setting: Adjusting the temperature is straightforward with intuitive up and down arrow buttons. In AUTO mode, the MODE button can be used to toggle between HEAT and COOL settings for fine-tuning.
- Event-Based™ Air Cleaning Settings: This advanced feature offers several options for air cleaning:
- ON-24/7: Provides continuous air cleaning for maximum purification, running 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- AUTO: Air cleaning occurs only when the fan is operating for heating or cooling, not as a standalone function.
- CIRC-30/HR: Ensures a minimum of 30 minutes of air cleaner operation per hour. If heating or cooling run times don't meet this minimum, the air cleaner automatically activates to reach the target, balancing air quality with energy efficiency.
- EVENT-3HR: Designed for specific situations where immediate air cleaning is needed (e.g., after vacuuming). The air cleaner runs continuously for a period and then reverts to the most recent AUTO, CIRC-30/HR, or ON-24/7 setting.
- ALLERGY-24HR: Ideal for periods of high pollen or poor outdoor air quality, this setting runs the air cleaner continuously for 24 hours before returning to the previous mode.
- Programmable Schedules: The thermostat supports separately programmable weekday/weekend schedules, allowing users to set different temperature and air cleaning preferences for various times of the day. The daily schedule is divided into four periods: WAKE, LEAVE, RETURN, and SLEEP. Default times and temperatures are provided, but users can customize these to fit their lifestyle.
- Progressive Recovery: This intelligent feature ensures that your desired temperature is reached by the start of a scheduled event. For example, if your "WAKE" time is 6 AM with a target of 70°F, the thermostat will activate heating before 6 AM to ensure the room is at 70°F when you wake up.
- Program Schedule Overrides:
- Temporary Override: Users can adjust the temperature at any time, and this setting will temporarily override the current program schedule until the next scheduled event.
- Permanent Override (HOLD): The HOLD function allows users to maintain a specific temperature indefinitely, overriding all programmed schedules until cancelled.
- Compressor Protection: A built-in compressor protection feature helps prevent damage to your HVAC system by ensuring safe operating cycles.
- Auto Backlight: The display backlight activates with the first button press, making it easy to interact with the thermostat in any lighting condition.
Maintenance Features
The Aprilaire 8476 thermostat is designed with ease of maintenance in mind, incorporating features that simplify upkeep and ensure long-term performance.
- Front Battery Door Access: For quick and easy battery replacement, the thermostat features a convenient front-access battery door. This eliminates the need to remove the thermostat from the wall, simplifying a common maintenance task.
- Battery Installation and Reset Button: The thermostat can be powered by either AC or batteries, or both. When AC powered, batteries serve as backup for the clock. A memory backup feature saves all thermostat settings in case of a power interruption. A reset button, located under the battery cover, allows users to restore the thermostat to its factory default settings if needed.
- Service Reminder Messages: The thermostat includes indicators for air filter and humidifier service. When these reminders appear, users can easily reset them by pressing and holding specific buttons for three seconds. This ensures timely maintenance of connected HVAC components, contributing to optimal system performance and air quality.
- System Fault Indicator: For heat pump systems, the thermostat includes indicators for Emergency Heat (red) and System Fault (yellow), which show through the housing. These visual cues alert users to potential issues, allowing for prompt troubleshooting or professional service.