UPDATED: November 29, 2021
Moisture is generated daily through a variety of sources (cooking, cleaning, bathing and, more). “Mold requires water. No water, no mold. Mold is the result of a water problem,” according to Joseph Lstiburek, Nathan Yost, and Terry Brennan. Their article Mold: Causes, Health Effects and Clean-up explains “to avoid mold problems, avoid water problems. Design and build in a manner that reduces water problems.”1 Dehumidification will help reduce relative humidity below 60%, to help prevent problems associated with unwanted moisture indoors.
Improve Indoor Comfort
- High humidity can make it harder to breathe especially for people with asthma
- Humidity levels affect the number of allergens in an indoor environment.
- Our bodies cool naturally through perspiration, as sweat evaporates heat is removed and the body cools. Similarly, maintaining relative humidity levels will increase comfort.
- “The metabolism of mold and bacteria can create microbiological volatile organic compounds (MVOC’s) that adversely affect air quality inside the building. Musty smells in a damp building typically result from these MVOCs,” as stated in the article Indoor Air Quality And Mold Prevention Of The Building Envelope
Protect Longevity of Building Materials
- High levels of humidity can quickly cause damage to property
- According to OSHA “Mold, which is always present to some degree, can spread and cause damage to building materials”2
- Bathrooms and other damp spaces are prone to problems related to moisture
- Condensation forming on windows can quickly lead to discoloration, staining, peeling wallpaper, and blistering paint.
- Remediation is costly and the full value of most property is never fully recovered; without moisture control, remediation will not guarantee mold prevention. Reducing moisture and lowering relative humidity is the only way to keep mold from returning.
Building codes are becoming tighter to provide more efficient housing, but tighter envelopes do not offer sufficient ventilation. Unfortunately, insufficient ventilation will lead to moisture problems, musty odors, high levels of pollutants, structural damage, potential litigation, and more. Supplemental dehumidification for moisture control is essential to lower humidity indoors, according to Ahmad A. Pesaran, “air humidity must be controlled below 60% relative humidity (RH) to avoid the growth of mold and mildew.”3 A home dehumidification unit should independently remove moisture to help resolve the issues associated with high humidity. Multi-family housing developers, general contractors, and owners are anticipating the demand to remove excess moisture and incorporate supplemental dehumidification. Lowering indoor humidity levels will help improve comfort and protect your property. Remember, remove moisture to reduce high humidity… the control is back in your hands!!
Learn more about How Protecting your Property will Protect your Investment?
Designed for Everyday Moisture Removal
Innovative Dehumidifier Systems created the IW25-4 dehumidifier specifically for everyday use in multi-family housing apartment units ranging up to 1,500 square feet. The tamper-proof and tankless IW-25 IN Wall dehumidifier and ON Wall dehumidifier requires no effort from tenants, for hands-free dehumidification. The versatile IW-25-4 easily installs directly IN (2×4 / 2×6) or mounts ON wall. Designed to remove over 25 pints per day, the IW-25-4 includes the FIRST integrated condensate pump (optional), LED light for simplified maintenance, all-aluminum microchannel condenser coils for longevity, a 5-year warranty, and more! The innovative Dehumidifier Systems team takes pride in being deeply involved in every facet of the moisture removal process and is eager to help. Purchase a home dehumidifier for your multi-family housing development today!
*Layout and moisture conditions vary in every apartment and home; in typical conditions, the IW-25 can maintain the RH of 59% or less but is not guaranteed. Moisture removal will vary in relation to the dehumidification unit’s power, temperature, and relative humidity. Amp draw varies at different climate conditions.
Sources:
1. Lstiburek, Yost N., and J. Brennan, J., (2002) Mold: Causes, Health Effects and Clean-Up, Citeseer, accessed December 2021 <http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.625.1632&rep=rep1&type=pdf>
2. U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA 2006, accessed November 2021, <https://ntrl.ntis.gov/NTRL/dashboard/searchResults/titleDetail/PB2012105419.xhtml>
3. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Ahmad A. Pesaran, June 1993, Office of Scientific and Technical Information, accessed October 2021, <https://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/old/7010.pdf>
