Look for moisture forming on the flat surfaces, especially walls. Even though you may be bringing in some dry or air from the outside, the fan is not going to do a good job of removing moisture that is actually in the room. A few of the top benefits of installing a fan include: These are just a few of the top benefits of installing a fan in your basement. How To Get Rid Of Humidity In Your Basement Without a Dehumidifier, How To Dehumidify A Room Without a Dehumidifier, Signs That Your Basement Has Excess Moisture, Ways To Humidity From Basement Without a Dehumidifier. Then, you should balance them with a few drawbacks.
And I set this blog up to help you do the same :-). 
Furthermore, when the cold air and warm air collide, this could cause moisture to condense, worsening the moisture problem. Due to the use of a DC-motor, this extractor is able to operate extremely quietly, making it a great choice if noise is a major consideration for your space. Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. There are many great options on the market right now from the AC Infinity AIRTITAN T8 to the Tjernlund V2D UnderAire. Nightstands are valuable pieces of your bedrooms design, adding both form and function to the space. Due to the basements location below ground, moisture can, and will, seep from the earth and in through the walls and floors. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. Reduces moisture in crawl spaces / foundation to protect home and occupants. On the other hand, they can be time-consuming. The Airtitan series has been specifically designed to reduce noise as well as reduce electricity consumption, making them an environmentally-friendly choice for your basement. What a great and informative article, great tips and even a little bit of humor. What Are The Pros And Cons Of Attic Ventilation Fans? Fans are far less complicated than dehumidifiers. The freeze thermostat is not always completely accurate. https://www.homestratosphere.com/plants-lower-humidity/. These include: Even though a dehumidifier is also relatively easy to install, there are several drawbacks you need to think about.
This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Thankfully, due to modern technology, the newer fans produced today tend to be far quieter and noise-efficient. These are put to good use in kitchen environments because hot air created in the kitchen will naturally rise up towards the ceiling. Being a Los Angeles resident, Jessica spends a lot of her time looking for her next DIY project and sharing her love for home design. Hello! It is recommended to measure the opening in your basement or crawl space prior to purchasing as it is not easily adaptable. Youll have to implement some other way to reduce humidity such as mechanical ventilation.
This is because condensation forms when warm air hits the cool surface of your basement walls causing the moisture in the air to stick to the surface. If you have a relatively limited amount of space, a fan is usually smaller than a dehumidifier. In order to prevent the growth of mold and mildew, it is recommended that the humidity levels be kept below 60% in the building at all times. A dehumidifier gives you direct control over the humidity level of a room while a fan does not. When the sensor detects that the moisture content in the room has reached a certain level, the fans will switch on and ventilate the air in the basement until the moisture in the basement has been reduced to an acceptable level. Because the fan is essentially one giant moving part, a single clog in the system can instantly bring the entire fan to a halt. Airtitan ventilation fans have been designed to withstand any harsh environment in which they are placed, ensuring that proper ventilation can always occur irrespective of harsh weather conditions. Firstly, what is the size of your basement? Place about a cup in a container that exposes it to as much air as possible and it will soak up moisture from the air. If not, then we have listed some of the most common ways to tell if you have a moisture problem. You need to compare these drawbacks to the benefits so you can figure out which one is right for you. The functionality of the X2D makes it highly recommended and widely used among homeowners and other property owners. Damprid is not right for all circumstances to learn more about Damprid read our guide here. If this moisture is trapped in the basement space, it will start to form small pools of water and can further attract problems such as insects, mold, and wood rot. Therefore, while this fan is an excellent option for small spaces, it will not be suitable for use in any space larger than 120 square feet. The more you run them, the faster they are going to burn out. Simply pour about a cup of baking soda in some decorative bowls or jars and place them around the room. Its important, however, that you make the correct choice for your needs, as this may be the deciding factor between a livable basement and one that is not. The basement, more than any other area of the home, can become a storehouse for mold growth, moisture concerns, high humidity levels, unpleasant smells and any other indoor contaminants. Damprid is a marketed solution that contains Calcium Chloride crystals. It depends, in a big way, on the actual size of the basement as well as the presence of any other items or appliances in the space. The following is a list of some of the best basement ventilation fans, along with their encompassing advantages and disadvantages, that you can install to achieve proper ventilation in the below ground levels of your home. How To Remove Laminate Molding Trim From Baseboards & Plinths New Video. While natural ventilation will help to conserve energy, it necessitates more work. This method can be as simple as putting small window fans in opposing windows or as compound as fitting an exhaust fan with a ventilation pipe. In addition, you need to dump out the collection bucket of the dehumidifier regularly. There are several benefits you will enjoy if you decide to go with a dehumidifier in your basement. Although some sort of specialized ventilation system is recommended, floor fans and dehumidifiers can help reduce moisture and circulate fresher air. Your air conditioner is working hard to keep the house cool, but if your fan is bringing in warm air from the outside, this could cause the basement to warm up. What should you know? Charlie loves spreading his hard-won DIY experience with the world via this blog. Air Out Dimensions L x W x H: 18 x 9 x 2. Once again, you will need to replace the charcoal after sometime but its a cheap option! 2. Additionally, if you opt for the mechanical method, weve provided a list of some of the best basement ventilation fans on the market. An avid 'Do-It-Yourself'er! It will also need to be replaced every 3 4 weeks. You cant? You Control the Humidity Level: There are also situations where you may want to prevent the air from getting too dry. That way, the air coming from the fan does not get blocked. Seven Leaves AC Axial Fan.
Wood rot is never a good sign, and most of the time it is due to moisture, mold or insects. If we just run fans and try to vent the air we end up smelling musty and start to see mildew. This device is not adequate enough for larger-sized basements. When choosing a basement ventilation fan, you should consider the ventilation needs of your basement, as well as the size of the basement. I've heard people claim that there's a better way to lower basement humidity. They are also able to adjust airflow automatically based on whatever parameters you have set for the fan. There, it condenses are over cold coils to remove water from the air. A Fan Could Work Against the Air Conditioner: Furthermore, if you are bringing in air from the outside, your fan could start working against the air conditioner. Come join the discussion about the industry, trades, safety, projects, finishing, tools, machinery, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! The Basement Health Associated says that mold grows then humidity is above 80% , therefore the reading in the basement should be at or below 50%. Pros And Cons Of A Whole House Dehumidifier. The size of this fan and its 120CFM capacity for airflow means that it can only work in spaces around 120 square feet. This is particularly important for people who suffer from respiratory conditions. If your basement happens to have windows built-in, this is a great start in ensuring that there is some form of ventilation for the space. For more info see ourdisclosure statement. Wall-mounted fans are connected directly to the outside through a hole in the wall that is created specifically for the ventilation fan. It is the job of the filter to remove dust and debris from the air. This situation creates a breeding ground for the growth of mold and mildew. This well-designed fan allows for efficient ventilation of the majority of basement spaces, provided they are not overly large. If we run the two dehumidifiers 12-15 hours per day we do not have this problem. Got a noisy fan? It stops mold and mildew growth by reducing the overall humidity in an area and removes any harmful pollutants like Radon. A quality home life is essential to all of us, so I wanted to build this blog to help others improve their houses. This device also features a thermostat for freeze protection and an automatic shutoff. Read more. However, this method of ventilation will only be successful if your basement contains windows that can open and are deliberately placed. The Durablow MFB M2D does just this. At the same time, there are a few drawbacks of having a dehumidifier that you should know. The Airtitan T8 is part of the AirTitan series of basement ventilation fans. Ive tried baking soda but I sprinkled it along the perimeter. Some systems incorporate a ventilation fan on one end of the basement with an exhaust fan on the other end. In my experience there is a huge difference in moving/venting the air & running a dehumidifier. A fan itself wont really help with the humidity levels in your cellar, but it will help with getting air moving into the room from other areas such as the rest of the house and outdoors. Should A Full (Or Cut) Tile Be At The Top Or Bottom Of A Wall? Here are some suggestions based on what your needs may be. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Essential Home and Garden is a one-stop guide for homeowners. Adjustable Dehumidistat for automated functioning, Airflow Volume: Option of 110 CFM, 220 CFM or 540 CFM. Three separate modes of function, all controlled by remote control, allow for exhausting air from the room, supplying fresh air, or alternatively doing both simultaneously. The Tru North Garage Vent was specifically designed to service garages but is still suitable to provide ventilation in basements or crawl spaces. All opinions are our own we pride ourselves on keeping our articles fair and balanced. This makes it a great option if you are hoping to make use of an extractor fan for your basement while keeping electricity costs down. The Xchanger Reversible Basement Fans is another product offered by Tjernlund. Mechanical ventilation exhausts stale indoor air and cycles in fresh, outdoor air by using vents and fans. Exchange the outdoor and indoor air, improve room air quality and balance the humidity. May not be suitable in big basements or other areas with a larger square footage. See my Affiliate Disclosure for more details. Thank you! Thank you so much what an excellent article~!
The design is somewhat aesthetically pleasing, with a stainless steel frame that is not only good-looking but also extremely heavy-duty and highly functional. This, along with the LCD screen and programmable controller, makes the AC Infinity AIRTITAN T8 a very attractive and functional device. The grade of steel is 100% Stainless Steel 304 and claims to be even more durable than galvanized steel.
When compared to other dehumidifiers that usually require around 1000 watts to operate, this fan is extremely energy efficient. This can be great for making sure your room is well-ventilated. Are Kitchen Exhaust Fans a Legal Requirement? Of course, one option is not universally better than the other, but it is important to think about your individual situation so you can decide which of these is best for your needs. No, they are not that expensive to maintain. The Airtitan series of basement ventilation fans produces a line of high airflow fans, which are specifically designed to ventilated areas such as crawlspaces, basements, and garages. Even though both options are relatively low maintenance. The faceplate can be cut and trimmed to allow it to fit any non-conventionally sized foundation openings. This allows for simple automation, and as a result, does not require that you need to manually turn on the fan when required, nor does it require that you have to leave the ventilation fan running at all times. Both products are relatively low-maintenance, but you do need to make sure they do not clog if you want them to work properly. The programable controller with a corded sensor probe allows for easy airflow adjustments in regards to humidity and temperatures.
Each of them serves to extract stale air from the basement and bring in fresh air. A fan is designed to circulate air throughout your basement. It helps to reduce radon level in crawl space, since radon (density) is heavier than air, radon will precipitate in lower floors. One of the options for ventilating your basement is implementing natural air currents. Looking for a natural way to remove humidity? Then bringing in warmer fresh air. The Airtitan units are IP44 rated, which means that they are fully protected from water and dust, and each unit is made up of two DC fans which ensure excellent airflow while keeping noise to a minimum. This unit is arguably the easiest basement ventilation fan to install and operate. Low Maintenance: Even though you do have to do some work on the dehumidifier, it still does not take up much of your time. You do not necessarily have to purchase replacement parts, but you do have to clean them. Exhausts vent radon gas, treated wood gases and odors, prevents migrating into living areas. This fan is not, however, suitable for use in large basements, making this an important consideration. UL listed components used. A mechanical ventilation system is very popular among homeowners for its automation, effectiveness and flexibility. A Fan Could Make Humidity Worse: There are also specific situations where having a fan might make your humidity problem worse. In general, you should expect to get between five and ten years of use out of your fans and dehumidifiers. The reversible nature is not seen in most basement ventilation fans, making the X2D very unique and desirable. The stainless-steel housing ensures durability and withstands in humid environments. Increases air circulation to prevent condensation and wood rot. You definitely want to deal with all three of those issues so if you have any timber furniture or wooded structure rotting in your basement look into it asap. Do you have a basement that has too much moisture in it? Ferns are great for basement type areas, but they do require some indirect sunlight. Baking soda is another common household product that absorbs moisture. Does Not Remove Humidity: If the big problem you are trying to tackle in your basement is dampness, then a fan is only going to help you so much. Condensation is especially common in basements that have bathrooms, or devices such as clothes dryers in them. Better off sealing the basement. Even though both products have varying price points, a fan is usually less expensive than a dehumidifier. : 18 x 9 x 1.6 in. As a result, the moisture in the air could start to increase, making the problem in the basement worse. There are some fans that are manufactured with an intake and exhaust on the same unit, ensuring ease of installation, but not necessarily the best ventilation results. On the other hand, you also wouldnt want to purchase an unnecessarily large and heavy-duty ventilation fan for your space when a smaller and more economical version would adequately perform the same job. There are a number of important considerations to make when choosing which ventilation fan is best for your purposes. If you have a humidistat, then you will want to check what the humidity reading as a percentage is in your basement. Bear in mind that despite its heavy-duty nature, this fan is not suitable for use in larger spaces. The addition of this device will ensure that odors are eliminated, humidity is reduced and controlled, and issues such as wood rot, mold, and insects do not become a problem. This fan is somewhat different from others on the market in that it features two separate fans on the same body structure, with the fans having the ability to be reversed in order to adjust for different usages. Thank you for the tips. Whether you are looking for the quickest and easiest fix, or more of a long term method we have some ideas here that will help you. Well Efflorescence is a powdery, white substance that you might find on unsealed surfaces such as concrete, brick, or stone. As a result, the motor could end up dying, forcing you to replace the fan early. Keep in mind that homes that contain Radon are required to have mechanical ventilation. The device also helps to prevent any Radon gas or harmful odors from entering your living areas through the basement. Click here to learn how to fix it. Because they originated in deserts, cactus will get their water wherever they can including from the air.
A few of the main drawbacks of installing a fan include: You need to compare these drawbacks to the benefits if you are trying to decide if a fan is right for you. If I don't know how to do something, I'll learn how to do it!
Uses less eletric winter and summer then. Rock salt is another dehumidifier that can be used just like baking soda.