BestAir A12W Aprilaire 12 Paper Wick Waterpad Reviews

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List Price: $11.99
Sale Price: $11.59
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I chose this item as a less expensive substitute for the Apilaire water pad. After using it for a few weeks, I ntoiced a puddle of water on the floor around the furnace. After opening the furnace, I found about a half-inch of water at the bottom of the air return duct and some water inside the furnace. I removed the water pad from the humidifer and noticed that there was about a 1/2 inch gap between the top of the pad and the bottom of the water distribution tray. I don't remember whether it was like this when I first installed it ( I think that it was) or whether it may have shrunk or deformed after being wet for some time. In either event, because of the gap, if the air flow through the humidifer is strong enough, the air blows the water dripping off the bottom of the distribution tray directly into the air duct instead of allowing it to dtip onto the top of the pad. Through time, it accumulates at the bottom of the duct and eventually leaks into the furnace and onto the floor. This product is not suitable for use in an Aprilaire model 440 humidifer. Do not buy it. Spend a few dollars more and buy the Aprilaire replacement pad which is a stiffer material instead of this paper-like material and does not have a gap between the top of the pad and the bottom of the distribution tray.

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This item is intended as a replacement water pad for a humidifier system. Its packaging lists it as compatible with:

Aprilaire 112, 136, 224, 440, 445, 445A, 448

Chippewa 224, 225, 226

Walton 600, 620, 660

I ordered this item from Todays Concept. The item graphic at the time showed an A12W Aprilaire replacement waterpad box. And the title for the item at the time was "RPS #A12W Aprilaire112 Water Pad" however the item received was a regular A12, not the A12W. The item image has since been updated to show a graphic of the waterpad itself, not the packaging. But the item title still specifies "#A12W" at the time of this review.

Also, the item description at the time of review is a bit sketchy, including "features" unrelated to a replacement water pad, including:

1-DuraGuard antimicrobial vinyl with a molded wood core

2-Stylish designs complement your bath décor

3-Fits all manufacturer's standard round bowls

The item received (#A12) is actually made of layers of expanded metal (see ) coated with a white substance, possibly vinyl or teflon (difficult to say). The difference with an A12W is that an A12W is often made of expanded plastic and coated with an absorptive material such as paper fiber or cloth fiber. The absorptive material helps to distribute the water and gives it more surface area from which to evaporate, also it helps minimize wasted water.

Be aware, unless they have changed inventory, you may be receiving an A12 rather than an A12W.