Why MOLD is a Growing Problem?
Mold grows everywhere because microbial spores are everywhere. They are looking for organic matter (food), moisture, and oxygen to grow. Unfortunately, we cannot control most of these factors especially in smaller, tighter envelopes such as apartments, but we can control the relative humidity. This is why we created the In wall / On Wall IW25-4 in-wall dehumidifier. Contributing factors to mold include:
1. Daily Moisture – 25 Pints
On average, a family of 4 produces 25 pints of water per day. Moisture is released into the air from daily activities such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, showering, perspiring, etc…It is inevitable there will be signs of mold if this moisture is left unattended.
2. Daily Habits
Daily habits differ from person to person. For example, some choose not to run exhaust fans while cooking or showering. Others may not leave their residence often, while others cook all day. Some people choose to house many plants and/or aquariums. Some do not run their HVAC system because they prefer it warmer in temperature or to keep electricity cost at a minimum. The list of the whys and hows people choose to live can go on and on, but the direct result of moisture accumulation and relative humidity remain the same… too much of either leads to mold growth.
3. New Construction = Tighter Envelopes
We are seeing an increase in mold growth due to tighter construction regulations. It is great to be energy efficient but as a result we are finding moisture cannot escape and newly constructed homes are unable to “breathe”. For example, high efficiency HVAC systems are much more efficient and run for short periods of time. This is exceptional for HVAC systems, however as a result, moisture does not have an escape route and is not cycled out. Without a system like the IW25-4 in-wall dehumidifier, moisture remains trapped creating great conditions for mold to grow.
4. Introduction of Fresh Air Vents
Many codes are now requiring the introduction of “fresh” air from outside. While some days may have a relative humidity levels less than 60%, many days have a relative humidity outside much higher than 60%. By introducing this high humidity air into the home you are elevating the relative humidity and increasing the opportunity for mold to grow.
