[El Barbón]

Hey, all. I'm looking for a good humidity monitor--one which measures the dew point, not just rh--with some satellite stations. Trying to figure out exactly where all the moisture in our air is creeping in, so I can more effectively plan the next phase of Making the Basement Comfortable. Any suggestions for something reliable and accurate? I figured I'd ask here, rather than rely on user reviews with questionable pedigrees.

Thanks much,
El Barbón

 

[Bud9051]

Hi El Barbon. Although I appreciate and often recommend testing dew point at many locations to track down the source of moisture I find the need for accuracy is only for those of us who like details. Setting aside my OCD I can track down moisture with the common household RH meter and temp meter. Here are some thoughts.

Lots of moisture can pass through floor and foundation in the form of moisture vapor. Even when concrete looks dry the moist soil on the outside if trying to equalize with a dryer inside.

You also list Vancouver Wa which can have a high outside moisture level. Since all homes will have a high air exchange rate outside humidity is often one of the contributors. The target range between too much and too little air exchange is around 1/3 of the entire volume of your home every hour. Significantly less than that is not considered good for IAQ.

Headed out fishing so back later.

Bud

 

[El Barbón]

I do like my details!

I know a lot of moisture is sneaking in through the basement; the efflorescence on the walls tells me that for sure. The basement is fairly dry for a 90-year-old house, but I know there are damper areas and drier areas, and it can get pretty dank down there when late spring is wet.

The house is also under-ventilated, for sure, and I'm trying to increase the exchange rate; getting humidity out of the house in winter is a definite priority, and we get condensation on some of the walls (all uninsulated) during the cold months.

And did I mention that we heat the house with a wood-stove?

Lots of things going on humidity-wise here, and I'd really like to get as clear a picture as I can of where things are coming from and going to. Thus, automation and lots of data collection--I don't wanna have to scramble around the basement, kitchen, bedrooms, etc. with soda cans if I don't have to.

 

[RustNeverSleeps]

Not sure this is what you are asking about but I recently got a Govee Thermometer Hygrometer (model H5075), the one with bluetooth instead of wifi and have been impressed with the responsiveness and daily/weekly charting as shown by the app. I might wish the smartphone app had some integration too pull in local weather data about relative humidity, to plot against the home humidity level as measured by this device, but it is nice for the price. It is ~$13 on Amazon and a 2-pack can be purchased for less than $25.

I can move it from room to room and it will quickly update. When I placed it in my bathroom and using the app it is pretty plan to see when the shower was running as indicated by the spike in humidity.

I might think that a few of these positioned in different spots might show you which side of your house/room has higher humidity. Though it might be easy to get fooled by any airflow or convection currents that exist in your basement.