Wednesday, 20 January 2021

Ventilating Dehumidifier and Sealed Crawlspace

I have just moved into a 1980s construction home in Raleigh, NC, which has 2 systems for the main part of the house - one for the first floor and one for the 2nd floor and 3rd floor guest suite. I'm planning to add a ventilating dehumidifier (probably an Ultra-aire 120H) to the first floor unit (is this the right choice?), and additionally I'm planning to have my crawlspace encapsulated (equipment is located in the crawlspace, already have intake/exhaust outside for furnace). I've been told that the same dehumidifier is not allowed to directly dehumidify the crawlspace and inside of the home (splitting the supply directly off the dehumidifier supply), so I'm leaning towards the option of adding a standard supply to condition the crawlspace. My goal is to keep <45% RH in the home, so I don't believe the dew point of the supply air into the crawlspace should pose a problem.

Some of my goals for the ventilating dehumidifier are to provide ventilation and make-up air to the home and to create positive pressure inside. Adding a supply in the crawlspace could force crawlspace air back up into the home, which is something I'd like to avoid. NC residential code allows for a relief vent to the outside in the crawlspace. Would this be necessary to help minimize the amount of crawlspace air entering the home? And what specific type/size of relief vent should this be? Also, are there better alternatives to this or adding a separate dehumidifier for only the crawlspace?

This is my first post, but this forum has already been so helpful to me in planning a healthy home, so thank you all for your help!


source https://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?2225870-Ventilating-Dehumidifier-and-Sealed-Crawlspace&goto=newpost

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