Replies

1. 
   DanH | Feb 05, 2008 07:51pm | #1

   Probably normal for Seattle.

   You've got moisture coming from somewhere. If you're lucky it's just showers, cooking, and soil moisture coming through the foundation. Or it could be a leaky roof, rotting walls, etc.

   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
2. 
   Riversong | Feb 06, 2008 09:56pm | #2

   But it is typically about 60%. What is happening here? Is this normal?

   One of two things:

   1. there's insufficient air exchange to ventilate indoor humidity (unlikely in a 1920 bungalow)
   2. there's too much humidity being introduced into the house, either from occupancy use or from basement or other environmental source (likely in a 1920 bungalow with full basement)

   Solution: find moisture sources and seal them and vent occupancy moisture at its source (bath fans, kitchen hood, external drier vent).

   Riversong HouseWright

   Design *  * Build *  * Renovate *  * Consult
   Solar & Super-Insulated Healthy Homes

1. 
   gmcdave | Feb 06, 2008 10:33pm | #3

   Thank you. So if I did all those things faithfully, (and assuming I'm not getting a tremendous amount of moisture from my basement), could I expect the HR to be in the 28% range (sensible heating from 39F, 88%RH to 70F)?

    

   Dave

1. 
   Riversong | Feb 06, 2008 11:48pm | #4

   That's about right.

   Which is why leaky houses (especially wood-heated houses because of the make-up air drawn into the envelope, heat stratification, and stack effect) are dry in the winter and why tight houses are too humid absent effective ventilation.

    

   Riversong HouseWright

   Design *  * Build *  * Renovate *  * ConsultSolar & Super-Insulated Healthy Homes

   Edited 2/6/2008 3:50 pm ET by Riversong