Drying out a musty basement

House Doctor | Gary Dymski

September 2, 2004

Q. I want to dry out my basement so that I can use it to store items, including clothing. My husband looked into an air-exchange system by Humidex. The Humidex machine pulls moisture from the basement air and expels it through a vent in the wall, much like a clothes dryer vent. The unit then pulls dry air from the rest of the house into the basement. According to Humidex Atlantic of Oceanside, the exclusive U.S. distributor, the unit runs about $1,050 installed and uses the electricity of a lightbulb. We'd prefer this system over having to empty a dehumidifier two or three times a day, but will it work? -- Jo-Ann Oakes, Bay Shore

A. I always hesitate to recommend specific products. What works in one home might not work in another.

Humidex is a Canadian company that has been making humidity-control units since 1989 with a measure of success.

However, one Long Island contracting firm no longer uses the units in its basement remodeling projects. A spokesman for the firm, which doesn't want its name used, told me that Humidex's parent company doesn't stand by its claims.

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According to Humidex literature, there are several different units, including those designed specifically for basements. While the company guarantees parts and workmanship, it doesn't guarantee that your basement will be free of musty odors and damp, clammy air. Phil Konigsberg, president of Humidex Atlantic, says the company does have a one-year performance guarantee that conditions will be improved. More information on the Humidex line can be found at www.humidexatlantic .com.

"The target is 60 percent relative humidity," Konigsberg says, "but no company can guarantee that because of so many outside factors. We tell people that if they use the unit for a year, they will experience a reduction in moisture."

In terms of price, $1,000 is not out of line. Other methods of controlling humidity would include using a larger air-exchange unit or a ductless air- conditioning system, such as Mr. Slim by Mitsubishi electric. There are other systems comparable to Humidex's, including the MBS Ventilation System (www.mustybasement solution.com), also made by a Canadian company, and Broan's Guardian line of air exchangers featuring a unit designed for basement dehumidification. For information, visit www.broan.com.