Humidex

What is Humidex?

Humidex solves the century old problem of excess moisture by utilizing a controlled and target specific ventilation as opposed to a conventional dehumidifier which removes moisture particles from the air by condensation and then recirculates the same stale air back into the room. Humidex focuses in on the major source of moisture problems which is the lowest point in a house where there is the most moisture infiltration, stagnation and condensation; namely the basement and crawl space. The unit entirely expels the cool damp air out of the house and uses the warmer and fresher upstairs air to effectively lower relative humidity and dry out the structure. It creates an air exchange in the entire house that will reduce moisture related problems such as excess humidity, mold growth, mildew, and alleviate conditions that aggravate asthma and allergies.


Will it work for the entire house?
The fan is extremely powerful and quiet. The unit’s capacity is specified in terms of the square footage at the lowest level. One unit expels 280 cu. ft. of air per minute which can reduce problems in area up to 2,100 sq. ft. The actual total living area benefiting from the Humidex is greater, as a result of the air replenished and exchanged throughout the house with fresh air from outside.


How will it improve air quality and help cure Sick Home Syndrome?

The air in many homes contains harmful pollutants that are invisible, odorless and not readily detected. These substances can be more detrimental than the air outside and can cause health problems such as irritated eyes and nose, headaches, dizziness, tiredness, infections and respiratory diseases. When windows and doors are closed, the house cannot breathe and rid itself of these elements. Moisture further aggravates the condition, by having the capacity to trap and contain these contaminants. Moisture is a source of nutrition for molds, dust mites and other infestation that are primary triggers for asthma and allergic symptoms.

Humidex provides both moisture control and improved indoor air quality on a continuous basis without any maintenance or complicated controls, thereby insuring a healthy environment. By exchanging the damp polluted air several times a day, you are transforming the home into a fresher, drier and healthier environment.


Where and how is it installed?


Humidex is installed professionally, as per company specifications, to maximize ventilation and moisture control. It requires a dedicated 6" vent to the outside and is located in the lowest part of the home, in an area where it will be able to draw in the most moisture and create a strong airflow over the maximum surface area. The installer will place a passive air register in the floor or door upstairs (when there is no open stairwell), to allow for a fresh, drier and warmer replenishment air to enter the basement while the Humidex is expelling the moist air. Additional passive vents at the floor level in doors or partitions may be required to facilitate the air flow freely throughout the entire level. The proper installation is crucial in order to dry out the structure and prevent moisture from stagnating, condensing and saturating the structure.


How quickly should I expect to see results?


The Humidex ventilation solution is a drying out process that will vary in time depending on home environment and conditions. The majority of homeowners will see results relatively quickly ranging from within a few days to a few short weeks. In extreme conditions and when there may be heavy moisture saturation in the structure, we recommend that you allow the unit to dry out the basement, for as long as it takes. For the home environment to improve, contributing sources of moisture from water seepage should be remedied first in order to allow for the basement to dry out. After remedying the water problems and installing the Humidex you should start to see improvement, although again, each home situation is different.

What model do I need?


The unit that you get obviously depends on the type of home that you occupy and the size of the room that the unit will be placed in. Please take a look at the specific model pages to help better determine which unit is right for your living conditions.
- Basement Models
- Crawl Space Models
- Slab Homes/Condo/Apartment Models



How does the unit affect airflow?


The majority of homes are not airtight. There is enough air flowing from the doors, windows and openings. Air pressure and flow can be affected by any combustible appliance (i.e. furnace, gas dryer) or ventilation unit (i.e. bathroom fan, attic fan). We therefore recommend that the Humidex be installed at least 10 ft. away from any furnace in order not to interfere with the air flow. In an extreme airtight situation and in conjunction with other high capacity ventilation and combustion appliances, we have a passive fresh air ventilator kit ASV 90-4. It requires a 4" outlet that delivers filtered air to a room and is equipped with a manual damper.



How does it work in the summer and winter?


In the summer, when there is no air conditioning in the upper levels, the warmer air flows downstairs raising the temperature, which lowers the relative humidity and raises the dew point (resulting in less condensation). When there is air conditioning upstairs, the natural dehumidifying properties of the conditioned air comes down and lowers the relative humidity. The downstairs is drier, warmer and without the odors.

In the winter heating season, water will condense on windows and walls because the moisture inside hits a cold surface. After the Humidex is operational, the moisture upstairs, flows downwards and the windows dry up. The unit raises the temperature downstairs and draws out saturated moisture in the structure. The drier air is easier to heat than the heavy moist air, thereby saving money in heating bills. Also, heat loss is minimal because cold air is always at the floor level. In the winter the unit will generally operate at a lower speed due to the fact that heat evaporates indoor moisture.

What about energy factors - expelling air conditioned air in the summer or heated air in the winter?


If you have moisture problems, your top priority is to expel it. Conventional dehumidifiers just won't do it. In the summer, if the air conditioning is working upstairs; the drier replacement air that comes from upstairs, accomplishes the goal of a dehumidified basement even faster. If the air conditioning is not working, then the air coming from the upstairs is warmer than downstairs, and will then raise the dew point and reduce the condensation. There is a negligible increase in utility costs when running the air conditioning, especially when you spread the cost over a full year. In the winter, the moist air is expelled and the warmer air replacing it is drier and a lot easier and less expensive to heat. Humidex only uses 40 watts of electricity- similar to a light bulb! The pay back is less than two years, just in the savings from reduced electricity costs, in comparison to a dehumidifier. Overall it is less costly to heat or air condition a drier home than a damp one.

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