 Posted 12/15/2006 4:05:30 PM
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We have a brand new 1400SQFT Ranch with a full basment. The basment is finished other then the space under the stairs(which is cement floor), the furnace room (also cement floor) and the trim is not done. We have Natural gas heating and a natural gas fireplace on the main level. We keep the heat at about 70-72 depending on the day.
We are noticing condensation on all of our windows, some just near the bottom but 2 others a better part of the window has condensation.
We have 2 bathroom fans, a kitchen fan and we frequently open the windows to reduce the humidity level. The humidity level ranges from 55-70 on most days unless we open the windows and run the exhaust fans to decrease humidity. It then reduces to around 45-50.
We are thinking about getting an HRV system, but are unsure if this will work. There are no other areas of the house (that we can see and we've looked) that have condensation or mold.
We have heard that dehumidifiers don't work that well in the winter, but being that the basement does have 2 rooms that are concrete floor, we are concerned that most of the humidity is coming from there?? Could this be possible? Or is it just because our house is so air tight?
What option do you recommend? HRV or dehumidifier? We are at a loss of what to do next as we have been trying to do everything else like running exhaust fans and opening windows. As soon as we close the windows and stop the exhaust fans, the condensation on the windows starts again!
Any info you can provide to help us make our decision would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
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Posted 1/2/2007 5:40:41 PM
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Internal water leaks, high ground water table, or excessive internal moisture generation are also causes for high humidity levels. Adequate fresh air venitilation during cold weather is a solution during cold dry weather. Fresh air ventilation should be maintained all year. Fresh air during the wet seasons requires supplemental dehumidification to avoid mold and dust mites growth. This is because warm outside contains excess moisture. An whole house, ventilating dehumidifier with fresh air ventilation will control humidity during all weather. Short term, operate a good bath fan enough to control the indoor humidity. Ventilation may be required 10-24 hours per day. A bath fan continuously exhausting 50-75 cfm of air which would be similar to the amount of ventilation required with HRV or ventilation dehumidifer. This will increase the fresh air ventilation of the home 35 cfm. If operated continuously, heating the 35 cfm of cold air cost <$80 per year with natural gas.
Check our winter moisture info on the this site. Keep us posted. Thanks Ken
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