Ducted Dehumdifier or an HRV.. what works best?

Baalz · 07/17/2007, 10:07 AM

I have quite a few tanks in the house and my humidity is crazy in the winter with mold and condensation. Summer time with AC running below 75, will prevent the moisture.

But its time for me to do something about this humidity problem I have been putting off for years.
Been doing research and its really hard to find out what will work the best for me. I have narrowed it down to an whole house dehumidifier connected to the existing duct work. Either a 100 or a 150 pt a day unit.
Or an should I go with a HRV unit?

Just don't know which one would be best for me.

Brisc0 · 07/17/2007, 10:18 AM

When I bought my house it had a de/humidifier build into the duct structure, and its pretty sweet, the only real problem I find is that it only works when the forced air is on and so my fish room doesn't get enough attention while its running because its effecting the whole house instead of my one "hot spot". (I am in a basement though, so that adds to the exclusion)

My solution was to put a window AC unit in the fish room. I got one that has a dehumidify option and works by cooling fresh air from outside rather than recirculating air from inside. This is a benefit for both CO2 export and humidity control. Not sure if its applicable to your situation, but I thought I would chime in. Take care and good luck

theatrus · 07/17/2007, 10:26 AM

Not owning either (and not having a humidity problem), I would think a localized unit would be more efficient for you unless the tanks are scattered everywhere in the house.

Brisc0 · 07/17/2007, 10:29 AM

I meant to add in my other post that I also have a stand alone dehumidifier in my fish room and while it works very well and very fast, it puts out a ton of heat and is very noisy.

Baalz · 07/17/2007, 10:40 AM

Tanks are scattered throughout lower level of house. With most of the moisture appearing on the upper level. I have a 70pt standalone dehumidifier downstairs and a smaller one upstairs. They don't cut it..

Looking at something like an Aprilaire 1700 or 1720. These units connected to your existing ductwork and have their own blower when AC or forced heat isnt running..

or an HRV unit.

Baalz · 07/17/2007, 01:45 PM

Need some input

^^^^^^^^^^

Baalz · 07/19/2007, 07:00 AM

bump

eastcoaster1 · 07/19/2007, 06:29 PM

You might have better luck posting un the Large Tanks forum.
I've seen quite a few thread over there discussing how to deal with humidity on a large scale.

07/17/2007, 10:07 AM	#1
Baalz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Havre de Grace, MD. Posts: 1,673	Ducted Dehumdifier or an HRV.. what works best? I have quite a few tanks in the house and my humidity is crazy in the winter with mold and condensation. Summer time with AC running below 75, will prevent the moisture. But its time for me to do something about this humidity problem I have been putting off for years. Been doing research and its really hard to find out what will work the best for me. I have narrowed it down to an whole house dehumidifier connected to the existing duct work. Either a 100 or a 150 pt a day unit. Or an should I go with a HRV unit? Just don't know which one would be best for me.

07/17/2007, 10:18 AM	#2
Brisc0 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 279	When I bought my house it had a de/humidifier build into the duct structure, and its pretty sweet, the only real problem I find is that it only works when the forced air is on and so my fish room doesn't get enough attention while its running because its effecting the whole house instead of my one "hot spot". (I am in a basement though, so that adds to the exclusion) My solution was to put a window AC unit in the fish room. I got one that has a dehumidify option and works by cooling fresh air from outside rather than recirculating air from inside. This is a benefit for both CO2 export and humidity control. Not sure if its applicable to your situation, but I thought I would chime in. Take care and good luck __________________ I'll drink to your leg... @bushwilliams on Twitter My Full Reef Aquaria Blog @ http://reef.bushwilliams.com Current Tank Info: 40G Nuvo Fusion Started 8/2014

07/17/2007, 10:26 AM	#3
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	Not owning either (and not having a humidity problem), I would think a localized unit would be more efficient for you unless the tanks are scattered everywhere in the house. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

07/17/2007, 10:29 AM	#4
Brisc0 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 279	I meant to add in my other post that I also have a stand alone dehumidifier in my fish room and while it works very well and very fast, it puts out a ton of heat and is very noisy. __________________ I'll drink to your leg... @bushwilliams on Twitter My Full Reef Aquaria Blog @ http://reef.bushwilliams.com Current Tank Info: 40G Nuvo Fusion Started 8/2014

07/17/2007, 10:40 AM	#5
Baalz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Havre de Grace, MD. Posts: 1,673	Tanks are scattered throughout lower level of house. With most of the moisture appearing on the upper level. I have a 70pt standalone dehumidifier downstairs and a smaller one upstairs. They don't cut it.. Looking at something like an Aprilaire 1700 or 1720. These units connected to your existing ductwork and have their own blower when AC or forced heat isnt running.. or an HRV unit.

07/17/2007, 01:45 PM	#6
Baalz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Havre de Grace, MD. Posts: 1,673	Need some input ^^^^^^^^^^

07/19/2007, 07:00 AM	#7
Baalz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Havre de Grace, MD. Posts: 1,673	bump

07/19/2007, 06:29 PM	#8
eastcoaster1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: NH Posts: 265	You might have better luck posting un the Large Tanks forum. I've seen quite a few thread over there discussing how to deal with humidity on a large scale.