Moisture Control and Air Quality

Our system is an effective and energy efficient solution to the negative moisture and air quality issues. The patented ventilation unit can be installed into existing homes or incorporated into new construction. It focuses in on the most problematic areas reducing moisture levels and expelling indoor gases, chemicals, toxins and then replenishing it with drier healthier air. The unit reduces the negative natural conditions of excess moisture in a home that are conducive to the biological growth of mold, odors, mites, bacteria and infestation. By circulating the air throughout the house, there will no longer be the stagnant moist air pockets which nurture biological contaminants. It will expel the polluted air that is part of the indoor environment and creates an air exchange throughout the house as recommended by all health authorities. The air circulation extracts moisture saturated into building materials to reduce condensation and structural damage.

The system is a mechanically controlled ventilation that is continuously operating and adjusting exhaust rates as needed, without any maintenance or complicated controls. There are no buckets of water or filters to change or complicated installations. Building design can now incorporate a unit that will resolve the health impact and structural damage from tightly sealed homes without sacrificing energy costs. The benefits and the ease
of the installation and operation of  the
system qualify this as a remedial and proactive
way of providing a healthy energy efficient home.

Solution Process

The unit is installed at the lowest point to expel the most polluted and dampest air to the outside through a dedicated duct, similar to a gas dryer vent. The basement and crawl spaces are the most damp areas, have the heaviest concentration of gases (radon, combustion gas), pollutants(chemicals, underground toxic vapors) and are the least ventilated. The high relative humidity and cold surfaces aggravate the situation and the problems will then migrate into upper levels.

The expelled air is replenished with a drier and healthier air mass which lowers relative humidity. The unit ventilates at a high rate when the relative humidity is above target, and then will reduce to a maintenance mode of 30-40 cfm after the relative humidity is reduced to the target area of 50-60% RH. Unit operates at the high rate when conditions demand it, generally in warmer times of the year. Otherwise it is operating at a maintenance mode of 30-40 cfm. The unit continuously operates 24/7, reducing stagnation of moisture, extracting moisture and expelling gases, pollutants and toxins.

Energy Savings Features:

The overall dampness in the house is reduced, thereby increasing the performance efficiency of the heating and air conditioning system; as it is less costly to heat or cool a dry environment as opposed to a damp one.

A study by the Department of Energy on crawls spaces found that when the humidity llevels in the crawl spaces were reduced the overall costs in heating and cooling for the entire house were reduced by 17 %.

The unit is expelling at a low rate which is within the guidelines mandated for a healthy air exchange of  approximately 30-40 cfm. All homes have leakage and air infiltration which is within the same range. The benefit of expelling with the unit is that the air being expelled is the most problematic and highest in moisture content. In addition, the impact  is minimal in the heating season as the heat generally dries out the air and the relative humidity is low during most of the winter.
 
The exhaust rate increases when the relative humidity increases which generally occurs when the heating season is over. At that time the unit exhausts a rate of 180 cfm which is the equivalent to two bathroom fans exhaust rate. The rate will decrease as soon as the humidity drops. It is not ventilating consistently at a high rate.

Better than a Dehumidifier

Moisture must be under control for health reasons to reduce growth of biological contaminants. The system is a more efficient means than a dehumidifier, as it uses less than 40 watts of electricity and will cost approximately  $ 3.00 a month versus a dehumidifier which can exceed $ 50.00 a month on the average. The savings are in the hundreds of dollars per year. A dehumidifier is limited in solving moisture problems as it just recycles the same stale polluted air and is limited in capacity. With the unit, there is no maintenance- no buckets of water or filters.

Benefits and Goals for an Indoor Air Package

1)  Moisture control reduces the conditions that are conducive to the biological growth and nourishment of mold spores, dust mites, infestation, by circulating the air and expelling moisture. Without stagnant moist air the molds become inactive and the other biological agents for respiratory ailments are deprived of the moisture they need to flourish.

2)  The unit is installed in the lowest part where there is the heaviest concentration of moisture, gases, and biological pollutants. Moisture will absorb and retain pollutants. For these reasons children tend suffer from asthma as they are closer to the floor. The unit will expel these contaminants directly to the outside without the restrictions or limitations of filter mediums.

3)  Basements
Basements are cold damp areas without ventilation. The moisture levels are the highest here; accumulating moisture that infiltrates from the outside and natural moisture generated from normal everyday activities. The cold in combination with moisture results in high relative humidity. The environment is conducive for biological growth and this air then moves upwards into living areas.
Requirement- Extract moisture, raise temperature and ventilate to reduce relative humidity.

4)  Crawl Space
The crawl space is a primary source of indoor air quality, mold activity and the infiltration from the ground of radon, toxic gases, chemicals and moisture.
Humidex unit is installed in crawl space area to expel the moist air and the pollutants. The installation provides for conditioned air to replenish it. Foundation vent are sealed as part of the installation process. Ventilation extracts moisture from exposed walls, beams and floors. The relative humidity and air quality in the crawl space will be comparable to the conditions in the upper level.
Requirement :Crawl space should be unvented, insulated, conditioned

5)  Continuous Ventilation 
Requirement –Air exchanges to expel indoor contaminants and replenish with fresh less polluted air as per ASHRAE 62.2, World Health Organization, Surgeon General, and EPA.

The unit ventilates based on demand when moisture is high. It does not operate on a timer, randomness, or in limited areas ( bathrooms) as the demand for increased ventilation may not exist then. It continuously expels the indoor air throughout the house and causes an air exchange that introduces fresher and healthier from the outdoors. The amount of air exchanges can vary between 6-10 times a day.

6)  Building Materials
Requirement- Reduce the moisture saturated in building materials which when enclosed, provide a nutrient source for biological growth and cause structural damage.

The unit is constantly flowing over the surface and installation requirement mandates unobstructed air flows. This flow of air extracts moisture from concrete, floors, walls frames and beams protecting the structural integrity of the house. The unit will create an air flow in upper levels that will reduce window condensation.
   
The typical family produces a lot of moisture indoors through washing, showers, cooking, and even breathing. Moisture generally gravitates downwards into lower levels and because it has nowhere to go it will stagnate and saturate the structure.

Basements and crawl spaces are primary sources of moisture. When water permeates through the foundation ground and walls, it will condense on these colder surfaces. Cold surfaces in a house will have condensation when warmer, moist air comes into contact with them. This occurs with cold windows in the wintertime and in the moist summer when warm air comes in contact with cold ducts and pipes.

Building materials may contain excessive moisture (i.e. damp wood, fresh concrete) all of which need to be dried out. New houses are insulated and sealed so well that no fresh air enters in. When homes do not have proper ventilation, the indoor moisture will stagnate, nurturing mold spores and dust mites, saturate the structure and wreak havoc on your home and health. The damage caused by excess moisture can be extremely extensive and costly.

Medical authorities, environmental agencies and home improvement experts agree that unventilated moisture...

• Poses serious long and short term health risks.
• Can cause costly, irreparable property damage.
• Absorbs and retains dangerous pollutants and gases.
• Creates uncomfortable and undesirable living conditions.

With this system, homeowners can be proactive in their approach to protecting their homes and families while enjoying the maintenance free, energy saving, year round benefits for about 10 cents a day.
Take a look at some of the dangerous problems that can result from excess moisture and inadequate ventilation:

• Mold & Musty Odors
• Structural Damage
• Biological Pollutants

Poor Indoor Air Quality The unique, patented moisture control and ventilation unit will:

• EXPEL moisture, gases, toxins, and pollutants
• REPLENISH the polluted, damp air with healthy, dry air
• VENTILATE the entire house, drying out the structure

Unlike a conventional dehumidifier which does not exchange the air, ventilate the basement and is costly to operate, the unit will provide a healthier, drier and more comfortable home at a fraction of the cost.

The quiet, yet powerful the system draws in moist, contaminated indoor pollutants, and expels them safely from the home. This unhealthy air is then replaced with a flow of drier, fresher air drawn downward from the upper levels. Replenishment air comes from the outdoors and enters the home naturally via windows, doors, and other openings. In essence, Humidex not only provides the home with much needed healthier outdoor air, it creates crucial ventilation within the home which inhibits the growth of molds and reduces moisture related problems.

The  ventilation system is the most efficient solution to excess indoor moisture available anywhere. The unit will improve the environment by minimizing naturally occurring moisture problems, such as musty odors, polluted air and mold growth.
Every Unit Has:

• Aluminum cabinet for no corrosion.
• Dehumidistat control which automatically regulates the unit.
• Variable speed fan with a control. 115V AC/60hz. All fans are tubeaxial, 1 phase.
• Air is discharged either through the top or the back of the unit.
• All parts are included - 6" duct, sleeve, outside flapper.
• Low Energy Consumption - see model specs for details.
• Low Noise Level.
• All models made in Canada.
• CSA Certificate File No. LR 52898, Entela No. 005235082.
• US Patent No. 5,092,520.
• Canada Patent No. 2,018,602.

The system installs neatly and cleanly, venting to the outside of the home using a small 6" duct, similar to that of a clothes dryer. The stand-alone, dedicated vent requires no complicated tie-ins with existing air systems. All ductwork is hidden behind the bright white frame of the unit, which has a lifetime guarantee against rust and corrosion. A small durable louver is affixed to the outside of the home, allowing moisture and toxins to be expelled. The result is a professional look for years to come. The unit is installed professionally to maximize expulsion, replenishment, and ventilation.

All units automatically monitor the relative humidity and adjust the ventilation rate. In the summer, set the humidistat control to between 50-60 percent and in the winter between 40-50 percent. The fan should be set at the high speed. These setting levels are clearly marked on the front of the unit. The fan will expel the moist air and will automatically go to a minimal speed after it has reduced the relative humidity to the desired level. The unit never shuts off providing constant ventilation. Unlike a conventional dehumidifier, you are not separating the water molecules in the air. It expels the excess moist air which is then replaced with fresh air. No buckets of water or filters are required!