Tests

GeoTek Test

From testing for toxic mold to cleaning up oil spills, GeoTek Engineering & Testing Services is well known for offering an array of environmental engineering services. GeoTek Engineering is heavily involved in many federal, state and city government engineering projects. A test of the humidity control and ventilation unit was conducted by GeoTek in a home in Crooks, South Dakota with visible molds, musty odors and obvious basement moisture. The following observations were made after the unit was operating for three months in the summer of 2002 over a period of high levels of humidity and mold spores.

The homeowner noted: The musty odors disappeared within the first two weeks of the use of the ventilation unit.

The testing company observed that the environment had improved to where there were no obvious musty odors or visible molds in the dry basement. Airborne mold levels were sampled and tested prior to the installation. These were then compared to samples taken three months after the installation and operation of the unit. The result was: "The basement and crawl space showed a decline in mold levels."

Healthy Indoor Technologies Test

Healthy Indoor Technologies, a respected mold inspection and remediation company, independently researched the effectiveness of the ventilation unit and found these amazing before and after results.

The initial humidity levels in the crawl space beginning in September were extremely high (87% relative humidity and 74° F). The levels in the living area upstairs were also high with an average humidity of 70%. Several weeks after installing the unit, the relative humidity levels were substantially decreased and brought into a normal range (55% to 61% from the crawl area to upstairs). The final readings of 57% in the crawl area and 40% in the main floor environment taken on November 29th are, in themselves, a testimony to the unit.

In conclusion, Healthy Indoor Technologies affirms that the ventilation unit has reduced the humidity level in the crawl space to acceptable levels. This unit is a valuable tool in maintaining the humidity level in the home. The unit can also be attributed to lowering the mold levels in the upstairs environment by maintaining a slight negative pressure in the crawl space with reference to the upstairs pressure.

Inspection Management Test

Inspection Management is an engineering, environmental and inspection firm with offices located in Princeton, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. They were contracted by a real estate agent in Huntington Valley, PA to investigate and remediate moisture related problems that were affecting an upscale property. Initial plans to redesign and reconfigure the home’s existing HVAC unit with a complicated air exchange program was scrubbed when Inspection Management discovered and installed the moisture control and ventilation system.

Here are some highlighted excerpts taken directly from the Case Study Report conducted by Inspection Management. Prior to the installation of the units, relative humidity within all three crawl areas was within the 60-80% range. After only 24 hours of operation and before any of the re-grading has been completed, relative humidity levels in all three crawl space areas has plummeted an average of 40%. The listing realtor was extremely pleased and the homeowner was ecstatic, not only at the results, but for nearly $2000 of savings, had we employed a conventional air exchange unit. During that investigation, a radon test was set up to determine what effect such a unit would have on radon within a crawl space or basement. Before unit installation, the average levels discovered within the crawl space was in excess of 12 picocures. When the average readings of less than one picocures were presented at the end of our investigation, the owner acknowledged the prior radon test compared to a 90% reduction based on the continuous monitor readings during our experiment.