Removing excess moisture and lowering indoor humidity levels is challenging in multi-family housing, as many common dehumidification options just don’t cut it. Learn more about why building owners should be worried about indoor humidity levels, the signs of excess moisture in multi-family housing, and how Innovative Dehumidifier Systems offer a solution.
Indoor Humidity in Multi-Family Units
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises
maintaining indoor relative humidity below 60 percent and ideally between 30 and 50 percent in rental properties. Various factors, such as seasonal fluctuations, outdoor humidity, and temperature, can influence indoor humidity levels.
During the summer months, when it is damp and humid, the health and well-being of your tenants may be compromised. Excess moisture and high humidity create favorable conditions for mold and mildew, which can cause or increase significant health problems, including asthma.
Liability Risks Associated with Humidity Issues
So why should building owners worry about humidity problems in their multi-family properties? The main concern is liability. Mold grows indoors in poorly ventilated areas with darkness and dampness, like attics and basements. If it can be proven that the air quality in your multi-family units has led to health problems among your tenants, such as asthma, you may be held legally responsible.
Identifying Signs of High Indoor Humidity
How can you determine if the indoor humidity level in your rental property is excessively high? One convenient method is a hygrometer, which measures the humidity level within your space and provides a real-time reading of your indoor relative humidity. In multi-family units, it is crucial to remember that humidity levels may vary in different areas of the property. Therefore, it is essential to watch out for additional signs of elevated relative humidity, which include:
- Visible Condensation: The presence of condensation on the interior surfaces of windows and doors is a reliable indicator that the indoor humidity levels are excessively high.
- Damage to Building Materials: Excessive humidity damages various materials, such as stucco deterioration, swelling and warping of wood flooring and furniture, chipped or peeling indoor paint, water stains on ceilings, and discoloration on walls.
- Presence of Mold: The visibility of any mold signifies an immediate concern and suggests that moisture is a problem, whether it arises from high humidity or another source.
Challenges of Dehumidificiation
When it comes to reducing excessive humidity in multi-family buildings, the task can be more challenging compared to single rooms or entire houses. Dehumidifiers play a crucial role in eliminating excess moisture from indoor air, thereby reducing the indoor relative humidity level of your building.
Various dehumidifier options are currently available; however, there are several reasons why there may be better choices than a standard dehumidifier for multi-unit buildings. Here are two common types of dehumidifiers and their limitations:
- Whole-House Dehumidifiers: These dehumidifiers are designed to extract moisture from the entire home. They are typically installed directly onto a building's HVAC system and work by dehumidifying the air circulating through the air ducts. The problem with these units is that they only operate when the HVAC system is running. Constantly running the air conditioner to dehumidify the space can quickly become costly.
- Portable Dehumidifiers: Portable dehumidifiers work best in single rooms such as bedrooms, basements, or other living spaces. They are not a practical solution for building owners who need to dehumidify the entire facility. Having a portable dehumidifier in every room of each unit is not feasible. Furthermore, these dehumidifiers have their drawbacks. Depending on the model, they require manual emptying of the collected moisture or connection to a drain. Additionally, they take up floor space, produce more noise than other options, and are generally not optimal for multi-unit facilities.
Innovative Dehumidifier Systems: Advanced Dehumidifier Solutions for Multi-Family Units
What other options are available if whole-house and portable dehumidifiers are unsuitable for multi-family units? Innovative Dehumidifier Systems and their in-wall and on-wall dehumidifiers provide a solution. These systems have a tankless design that allows them to drain directly into a hub drain or other plumbing using a gravity drain or condensate pump.
These dehumidifiers are perfect for apartments, dorms, and other multi-unit buildings. They can effectively remove up to 30 pints of moisture daily in spaces up to 1,500 square feet. You can easily install one unit in each apartment, and thanks to their plug-in or hardwire capabilities, they can operate independently of HVAC systems, unlike whole-house dehumidifiers.
Each Innovative Dehumidifier Systems model also features an ion generator, enhancing your tenants' indoor air quality. The generator releases millions of ions into the air to combat and break down airborne pathogens such as allergens, bacteria, mold, viruses, and VOCs, effectively eliminating almost 99 percent of airborne viruses and pathogens.
When it comes to installation, Innovative Dehumidifier Systems offers two options:
Innovative Dehumidifier Systems IW254 In-Wall Dehumidifier
This dehumidifier is installed either in a wall recess or semi-recessed. It is ideal for new construction projects, renovations, and retrofitting existing properties.
Innovative Dehumidifier Systems IW254 On-Wall Dehumidifier
This option mounts directly on the wall and is suitable for creative installations like cabinets, kitchen islands, and rigid surface walls where recessing into the wall is not feasible.
Click Here To Read Our Expert Review Of The IW254 Dehumidifier
In Summary
When lowering indoor humidity levels in multi-family housing, skip whole-house and portable dehumidifiers and choose a wall dehumidifier from Innovative Dehumidifier Systems.
Give Us A Call
Still unsure which Innovative Dehumidifier Systems model is best for your space? Call one of our product experts at 1-800-934-9194.
