Ventilation / Humidity Issues

[ZachB]

How does everyone handle venting / humidity issues here now that it's freaking cold outside? I've noticed a good deal of condensation around my windows.

I figured I needed a dehumidifier to handle the humidity in my house but didn't know how bad. Today I went on a cleaning spree and I found black, slimy mold at the very TOP of my windows (all of them) - where I haven't been cleaning up water daily. The blinds cover the windows, I was cleaning the bottoms and sides. I cleaned and disinfected the entire window, sprayed with Lysol mold / mildew spray, and went out and bought a dehumidifier.

It's been pulling quite a bit of water out of the air. For the last couple months, I've felt a bit under the weather. I've attributed my sneezing, congestion, coughing, red eyes, constantly being tired, shortness of breath, and so on, to allergies and have taken Zyrtec. These symptoms also coincide with mold poisoning / symptoms, so I'm not exactly sure what to do. Should I be concerned or just let the dehumidifier do its thing and wait and see?

TIA

 

[MVlk]

What is the humidity inside your house? Mine has started to get in the low 40's and am about ready to fire up the humidifier if it goes into the 30's. With a forced air system I would be surprised to see your tank causing that much of an issue.

 

[ZachB]

What is the humidity inside your house? Mine has started to get in the low 40's and am about ready to fire up the humidifier if it goes into the 30's. With a forced air system I would be surprised to see your tank causing that much of an issue.

It started out at like 65 now it's been holding steady at 50 and has been running for hours. I've emptied the container already.

 

[andywe]

Let the dehumidifier do it's thing. Your tank may only be partly responsible. If I recall you live in a shared domicile (ok apartment) and if the windows are cheap then this problem can also occur. The fact is the air is dryer when cold so the evaporation from your tank may increase, but should not cause a mold issue. The air would in fact absorb more moisture.

If the mold is on the window sill, then your culprit is more than likely a window that leaks or is so inefficient that it sweats....the blinds keep cool moist air in place as a vapor barrier of sorts allowing the moisture to linger.

See what the dehumidifier does, however I would also invest in some shrink wrap window stuff at HD or Lowes..seal the window. If the tank were the source then mold would be along the wall behind the tank.

 

[MVlk]

I am no HVAC expert, but that seems like a lot to be added from your tank. I am interested to see what others have seen in their houses. When I had my 125 I saw an issue in the fish closet, but the rest of the house consumed the humidity without much of an issue.

 

[ZachB]

Let the dehumidifier do it's thing. Your tank may only be partly responsible. If I recall you live in a shared domicile (ok apartment) and if the windows are cheap then this problem can also occur. The fact is the air is dryer when cold so the evaporation from your tank may increase, but should not cause a mold issue. The air would in fact absorb more moisture.

If the mold is on the window sill, then your culprit is more than likely a window that leaks or is so inefficient that it sweats....the blinds keep cool moist air in place as a vapor barrier of sorts allowing the moisture to linger.

See what the dehumidifier does, however I would also invest in some shrink wrap window stuff at HD or Lowes..seal the window. If the tank were the source then mold would be along the wall behind the tank.

Good to know. There is absolutely no mold around the tank, it's only around the windows, and yes, they sweat like a nun in a cucumber field.

I am no HVAC expert, but that seems like a lot to be added from your tank. I am interested to see what others have seen in their houses. When I had my 125 I saw an issue in the fish closet, but the rest of the house consumed the humidity without much of an issue.

Seems like a lot to me as well. My tank evaps a lot though.

Wonder if I should contact the apartment and have them do something about the windows. Mold worries me. I cleaned it as best I could but it may still be here. Wonder if I should see a doc or if the dehumidifier will clear up the mold and my allergy symptoms / crap.

 

[andywe]

Well, TN is one of the worst states in the US for allergies, so I would not worry that the mold is your major cause..BUT...keeping it clean certainly helps.

You can play the mold card with the management and see if they will actually do something, but really a 10 dollar winterization kit like I mentioned is easiest. get the plastic film you heat and shrink type. They work very well.

Still complain about it and show them pictures. If they are bad about it that is enough to break a lease (of documented well) over3 or more months of non responsiveness.

 

[MVlk]

I am guessing it is mainly the windows. Humidity is high outside lately. Probably leaks are causing the issues. I'd do a winterization on the windows. Having the building management look would be good as long as they will not freak about the tank or blame it.

 

[ZachB]

Well, TN is one of the worst states in the US

Got that right


Well, after letting it run the entire night at max and another almost full collection container later, there is no condensation on the windows and humidity is reading 45 now. I think it's the windows, they are always very cold to the touch and the high humidity in my house is simply causing them to do basically the same thing the dehumidifier does, causing the water to condensate, as the air temp is 78, window temp is most likely same as outside (they don't seem insulated at all), which in turn is causing mold issues around them. No water / moisture buildup anywhere else. Hopefully this takes care of the problem.

Lease is up in a couple months anyhow, I'll see how things look after running the dehumidifier for a few more days and go from there.

 

[MVlk]

If you winterize the windows your humidifier will have to work a lot less. If you pay for your electricity, could be pretty big savings.