Case Study: Preventing Mold and Moisture Issues in Senior Housing

Posted on:

May 30, 2018

The following is the second article in a three-part series addressing mold and moisture control in multi-family housing. The first article, The Ideal HVAC System for Multifamily Buildings: Designing for Health, Comfort, and Efficiency appeared in last month’s newsletter.

Designing mechanical systems for senior housing that can effectively control moisture and keep tenants comfortable is a challenge. As people age, their bodies naturally become more sensitive to cooler temperatures, which is often amplified by health problems and medications. Extending air conditioning run times to remove excess moisture and control humidity, is not an option if the goal is comfort for senior residents. Unfortunately, less AC runtime means less moisture removal, and in these tightly-sealed modern buildings, a greater potential for microbial growth.

Building Details

A new senior housing complex along the coast in climate zone 4 was constructed in the fall of 2016. The complex was designed and built using energy efficiency best practices. Features included wood frame construction over a slab-on-grade. The exterior of the building was brick with vinyl windows. The full ASHRAE 2010 ventilation rate for the units was 21cfm continuous.

Reports of moisture issues began coming in as early as spring of 2017. By the summer of 2017, significant mold issues caused by excessive humidity were found in several of the first-floor units.

Problem

Following a typical humid summer, the resident of a one-bedroom, first-floor, 585-square foot apartment began noticing microbial growth on her clothes in the bedroom closet, on her bookcase, and on the walls in the living room. In late August, the conditions in her apartment were recorded at 78°F and 69% RH, with a dew point of 67°F. According to the EPA, indoor relative humidity (RH) should be maintained between 35% and 50% for maximum comfort. Moisture readings on the composite wood bookcase registered over 20.

After reporting the microbial growth to the maintenance personnel, she was advised to set her thermostat to 74°F instead of its current 78°F in order for the AC system to run long enough to remove the excess moisture. Her very emotional response was – “I should not have to pay to run my air conditioning and be cold just to prevent mold.”

There was intense pressure to find a solution to the moisture problem that didn’t involve making the apartment resident uncomfortably cold.

Solution

An Ultra-Aire MD33 In-Wall Dehumidifier was installed in the apartment by fall of 2017. The data below shows how effective the unit was in shoulder season conditions maintaining RH at 50% with corresponding low dew point values, while the interior temperature was maintained at a comfortable 78°F (plus) as favored by this particular tenant.

As a result of this success, property management installed Ultra-Aire MD33 In-Wall Dehumidifiers in all of the building’s first-floor units.

Why Install an Ultra-Aire In-Wall Dehumidifier?

Indoor humidity cannot be effectively or efficiently controlled with an air conditioning system alone in small spaces. Excessive moisture can contribute to poor indoor air quality, property damage, mold, comfort complaints, and reputational risk and liability.

Including a dedicated in-wall dehumidifier as an integral part of the mechanical system protects the physical investment and creates a comfortable, healthier living environment for residents. For more information on in-wall dehumidifiers and additional case studies, visit www.InWallDehumidifier.com.

Author
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Ron Revia

Technical Sales Manager at Therma-stor

Ron Revia is a 20-year veteran of the HVAC industry having worked as a licensed contractor, distributor sales manager and manufacturer’s representative. Most recently, Revia has spent the past several years working with architects, engineers and contractors who design and build multi-family properties to prevent microbial issues in apartments.