Frequently Asked Questions About the Coastal Dry Home Solution
Will Coastal Dry Home's solution work for the entire house?
The main unit and booster fans are extremely powerful (and quiet too!). The system's capacity is specified in terms of the square footage at the lowest level. One of our Moisture Control & Ventilation (MCV) Systems expels 180 cu. ft. of air per minute in high mode and can reduce moisture problems in crawl spaces up to 3,000 sq. ft. The actual total living area benefiting from the system is greater as a result of the air replenishment and exchange throughout the house with fresh air from outside.
How will the MCV System 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, and our humid climate here on the Southeast Coast exacerbates this condition.
The MCV System available through Coastal Dry Home provides both moisture control and improved indoor air quality on a continuous basis without any maintenance or complicated controls, thereby ensuring a healthy environment. By exchanging the damp polluted air several times a day, you are transforming your home into a fresher, drier and healthier environment.
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How does the MCV System work in the different seasons?
On mild spring and fall days when there is no air conditioning in the upper levels, the system draws the warmer air down into the crawl space, raising the temperature, which lowers the relative humidity and raises the dew point (resulting in less condensation). In the summer when air conditioning is running seemingly non-stop in our area, the natural dehumidifying properties of the conditioned air flows down and decreases the relative humidity. The result is a drier crawl space without the odors.
In the winter heating season, water will condense on windows and walls because the moisture inside hits a cold surface. After our MCV System is operational, the moisture upstairs flows downwards and the windows dry up. The system raises the temperature in the lowest level of the home and expels saturated moisture outside. 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 may operate more often at the lower maintenance speed due to the fact that heat evaporates indoor moisture.
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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 when the air conditioning is running, the drier replacement air that comes from upstairs accomplishes the goal of dehumidifying the crawl space even faster. If the air conditioning is not on, then the air coming from the upstairs is warmer than downstairs and will consequently raise the dew point and reduce condensation. If there is any increase in utility costs when running the air conditioning it will be negligible, 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. Our MCV System uses only 76 watts of electricity at high speed - 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 and cool a drier home than a damp one.
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Where and how is the MCV System installed?
The MCV System available through Coastal Dry Home can be installed professionally or by a handy homeowner - as per company specifications - to maximize ventilation and moisture control. It requires a dedicated 6" vent to the outside, with the main unit of the system located in the lowest part of the home - typically the deepest section of the crawl space - in an area where it will be able to capture the most moisture and create a strong airflow over the maximum surface area. The installer will place an air register in the floor above the crawl space that is ducted to the system's booster unit to draw fresh, drier and warmer replenishment air into the crawl space while the main unit expels the moist air to the outside. Proper installation is crucial in order to dry out the structure and prevent moisture from stagnating, condensing and saturating the structure.
There is no hard-wiring involved in the installation. The main unit plugs into a standard outlet, while the booster unit is plugged directly into the main unit via a moisture resistant extension cord.
To ensure proper and efficient operation of our MCV System it is imperative that all crawl space vents are sealed and that a moisture barrier is in place covering the entire crawl space floor surface.
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How quickly should I expect to see results?
The drying out process from our MCV solution 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 climate conditions or when there is heavy moisture saturation in the structure it may take longer for the system to dry out the crawl space. For the home environment to improve, contributing sources of moisture from water seepage should be remedied first in order to allow for the crawl space to dry out. After remedying the water problems and installing Coastal Dry Home's system you should start to see improvement, remembering again, however, that each home's situation is unique.
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What effect does the Moisture Control and Ventilation System have on radon?
Radon and vapors from chemicals underground infiltrate into the home through the foundation floor (if present) or ground beneath the structure. Our system expels the air from the crawl space level where the gases enter and are most heavily concentrated. The ventilation rate of our system is determined by the relative humidity of the crawl space; it is not equipped to measure pollutant levels. The ventilation rate can be increased to consistently expel dust, vapors, and pollutants by setting the controls to a relative humidity level below that which presently exists in the crawl space. After achieving the desired mitigation results the controls can be reset to more normal operating levels.
(Return to Top)
How does the unit affect airflow?
Homes are not hermetically sealed and enough air is infiltrating through 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). Our MCV System does not expel more than 180 cfm when in high mode - the equivalent to 2 bathroom fans. After achieving a target level it ventilates in a maintenance mode of 30-40 cfm, to prevent stagnation and provide necessary air exchanges.
(Return to Top)
Other Questions? Contact Us at Coastal Dry Home and we'll be glad to help!
The main unit and booster fans are extremely powerful (and quiet too!). The system's capacity is specified in terms of the square footage at the lowest level. One of our Moisture Control & Ventilation (MCV) Systems expels 180 cu. ft. of air per minute in high mode and can reduce moisture problems in crawl spaces up to 3,000 sq. ft. The actual total living area benefiting from the system is greater as a result of the air replenishment and exchange throughout the house with fresh air from outside.
How will the MCV System 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, and our humid climate here on the Southeast Coast exacerbates this condition.
The MCV System available through Coastal Dry Home provides both moisture control and improved indoor air quality on a continuous basis without any maintenance or complicated controls, thereby ensuring a healthy environment. By exchanging the damp polluted air several times a day, you are transforming your home into a fresher, drier and healthier environment.
(Return to Top)
How does the MCV System work in the different seasons?
On mild spring and fall days when there is no air conditioning in the upper levels, the system draws the warmer air down into the crawl space, raising the temperature, which lowers the relative humidity and raises the dew point (resulting in less condensation). In the summer when air conditioning is running seemingly non-stop in our area, the natural dehumidifying properties of the conditioned air flows down and decreases the relative humidity. The result is a drier crawl space without the odors.
In the winter heating season, water will condense on windows and walls because the moisture inside hits a cold surface. After our MCV System is operational, the moisture upstairs flows downwards and the windows dry up. The system raises the temperature in the lowest level of the home and expels saturated moisture outside. 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 may operate more often at the lower maintenance speed due to the fact that heat evaporates indoor moisture.
(Return to Top)
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 when the air conditioning is running, the drier replacement air that comes from upstairs accomplishes the goal of dehumidifying the crawl space even faster. If the air conditioning is not on, then the air coming from the upstairs is warmer than downstairs and will consequently raise the dew point and reduce condensation. If there is any increase in utility costs when running the air conditioning it will be negligible, 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. Our MCV System uses only 76 watts of electricity at high speed - 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 and cool a drier home than a damp one.
(Return to Top)
Where and how is the MCV System installed?
The MCV System available through Coastal Dry Home can be installed professionally or by a handy homeowner - as per company specifications - to maximize ventilation and moisture control. It requires a dedicated 6" vent to the outside, with the main unit of the system located in the lowest part of the home - typically the deepest section of the crawl space - in an area where it will be able to capture the most moisture and create a strong airflow over the maximum surface area. The installer will place an air register in the floor above the crawl space that is ducted to the system's booster unit to draw fresh, drier and warmer replenishment air into the crawl space while the main unit expels the moist air to the outside. Proper installation is crucial in order to dry out the structure and prevent moisture from stagnating, condensing and saturating the structure.
There is no hard-wiring involved in the installation. The main unit plugs into a standard outlet, while the booster unit is plugged directly into the main unit via a moisture resistant extension cord.
To ensure proper and efficient operation of our MCV System it is imperative that all crawl space vents are sealed and that a moisture barrier is in place covering the entire crawl space floor surface.
(Return to Top)
How quickly should I expect to see results?
The drying out process from our MCV solution 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 climate conditions or when there is heavy moisture saturation in the structure it may take longer for the system to dry out the crawl space. For the home environment to improve, contributing sources of moisture from water seepage should be remedied first in order to allow for the crawl space to dry out. After remedying the water problems and installing Coastal Dry Home's system you should start to see improvement, remembering again, however, that each home's situation is unique.
(Return to Top)
What effect does the Moisture Control and Ventilation System have on radon?
Radon and vapors from chemicals underground infiltrate into the home through the foundation floor (if present) or ground beneath the structure. Our system expels the air from the crawl space level where the gases enter and are most heavily concentrated. The ventilation rate of our system is determined by the relative humidity of the crawl space; it is not equipped to measure pollutant levels. The ventilation rate can be increased to consistently expel dust, vapors, and pollutants by setting the controls to a relative humidity level below that which presently exists in the crawl space. After achieving the desired mitigation results the controls can be reset to more normal operating levels.
(Return to Top)
How does the unit affect airflow?
Homes are not hermetically sealed and enough air is infiltrating through 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). Our MCV System does not expel more than 180 cfm when in high mode - the equivalent to 2 bathroom fans. After achieving a target level it ventilates in a maintenance mode of 30-40 cfm, to prevent stagnation and provide necessary air exchanges.
(Return to Top)
Other Questions? Contact Us at Coastal Dry Home and we'll be glad to help!
