Don't Let Excessive Moisture Ruin Your Home!

Many homes built after the 1970s have been constructed to be air-tight and energy efficient. However, these energy efficient measures have resulted in decreased ventilation, increased moisture, and proliferation of mold growth.

Excessive moisture problems leading to mold can stem from the weather, leaking roofs or condensing water pipes, leaking fire-protection sprinkler systems, and unvented combustion appliances such as clothes dryers vented into a garage or other indoor area (these appliances should be vented to the outside).

However, some moisture problems may be difficult to see. Pipe chases and utility tunnels are common sites of mold growth, and other hidden sources of moisture can include poorly drained condensate drain pains inside air handling units, porous thermal or acoustic liners inside duct work, and the underside of carpets and pads.

To address moisture and mold problems in your home, you should promptly and properly repair any leaks or water damage in ductwork; install exhaust fans in rooms where there are higher levels of humidity, such as kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms; make sure any combustion appliances are properly vented to the outside; and consider purchasing a dehumidifier.

Dehumidifiers are household appliances that help reduce the humidity levels in the air. There are primarily two times of humidifiers – mechanical and dessicantive.

Mechanical/Refrigerative (Active Dehumidifiers):
These are the most common types of dehumidifiers and they work by drawing in moist air over a fanned refrigerated coil. Because the saturation vapor of water decreases with decreasing temperature, the water in the air condenses and drips into a collecting bucket. The air is then reheated by the warmer side of the refrigeration coil. Mechanical dehumidifiers work best in areas with other 45% relative humidity, and higher if the air is especially cold. An example of a mechanical dehumidifier would be the New Air AD-40A.

Dessicantive (Passive Dehumidifiers):
Desiccant dehumidifiers use a desiccant material to dehumidify the air. Desiccant materials have an affinity for water vapor, and the dehumidifying process involves exposing the desiccant material to a high relative humidity air stream, which then allows it attract and retain water vapor. These dehumidifiers also use heat energy to produce a dehumidifying effect, and are best for areas with low temperatures and relatively low humidity levels. These types of dehumidifiers can also be used instead of mechanical units or in combination with them. An example of a dessicantive dehumidifier would be the Eva-Dry EH-500F Dehumidifier.

In addition, you air conditioning system may also act as a dehumidifier. While perhaps not suitable for the cooler months, air conditioners dehumidify the air by chilling the air and handling the accumulating water. Newer window units use a condensing coil and fan to evaporate the water into the outdoor air, while central air conditioning units need to be connected to a drain.