Yeah, sealing leaks definitely helps, but what about humidity control? I've noticed newer homes sometimes trap moisture more easily...anyone found a good balance between sealing tight and proper ventilation to avoid mold issues?
I've noticed this too, especially in homes built in the last decade or so. Seems like builders focus heavily on energy efficiency (which is great), but ventilation sometimes takes a backseat. Wonder if anyone's tried pairing tighter sealing with something like an HRV system? Curious if that strikes a good balance between energy savings and keeping humidity under control...
I've seen exactly what you're talking about. Worked on a few houses recently that were built super tight for energy efficiency, and the homeowners ended up dealing with mold issues within a couple years. One family even had to rip out drywall in their basement because moisture got trapped behind it—pretty nasty stuff.
On the flip side, I did see a homeowner install an HRV system after the fact, and it seemed to help a lot. They said humidity levels dropped noticeably, and the air felt fresher overall. From what I've seen, if you're gonna seal up a house tight, you really can't skip out on proper ventilation. HRVs seem like a solid solution, though they're not exactly cheap upfront. Still, probably cheaper than dealing with mold remediation later on...
Yeah, mold remediation bills are no joke... HRVs seem solid, but anyone tried using dehumidifiers alongside ventilation systems? Wondering if that combo might work even better without breaking the bank.
I've actually seen the dehumidifier and ventilation combo work pretty well in practice. HRVs alone are good at moving air around, but sometimes they struggle to get humidity under control—especially in damp climates or after heavy storms. Here's a simple rundown of what I've found works best:
First, dial in your HRV to handle the fresh air exchange. Then, set up a decent-sized dehumidifier centrally in your basement or utility area (assuming that's your moisture hotspot). Make sure it drains continuously so you're not constantly emptying buckets... trust me, that gets old fast.
The key is balancing airflow with humidity control—you don't want to dry things out too much either. I usually aim for around 45-50% humidity indoors; seems to keep mold at bay without making the house feel like a desert.
Honestly, it's not a perfect solution, but it definitely beats shelling out thousands for mold remediation later. Just keep an eye on energy bills because some dehumidifiers can be sneaky power hogs if you don't pick carefully.
