Project Overview
Basement humidity is one of the most common indoor air quality issues in Massachusetts homes, especially in towns like Sudbury where many homes have finished basements below the water table. Portable dehumidifiers are the typical first response, but they are fighting a losing battle in spaces where the moisture load exceeds their capacity.
The Aprilaire 1850 solves this problem at scale. By integrating into the existing ductwork, it treats the entire air volume of the basement rather than just the air immediately around the unit. It operates automatically based on the humidistat reading, ramping up when humidity rises and cycling down when the target is reached. The condensate drains continuously to the floor drain, so the homeowner never has to touch it.
Since installation, the basement has remained consistently between 45–50% humidity. The musty odor is completely gone, the mold has not returned, and the homeowner has reclaimed a full living space that the family now uses daily as a media room and play area.
The Challenge
The finished basement of this Sudbury home had a persistent humidity problem that multiple portable dehumidifiers could not resolve. Relative humidity levels consistently exceeded 65–70%, creating a musty odor that permeated the entire basement living space. The homeowner had noticed condensation forming on cold water pipes and the exterior walls during summer, and a small patch of visible mold was found behind a piece of furniture. The two portable dehumidifiers were running 24/7, adding $60/month to the electric bill, and their water reservoirs needed to be emptied twice daily. Despite this effort, the humidity level never dropped below 60%.
Our Solution
We installed an Aprilaire 1850 whole-home dehumidifier directly into the existing HVAC ductwork. This 95-pint-per-day unit draws humid air from the basement through a dedicated return duct, removes moisture, and returns dry air to the space through the existing supply ducts. Unlike portable units that recirculate air in a small radius, the whole-home system dehumidifies the entire basement evenly and continuously. We connected the condensate line to the existing floor drain for automatic, hands-free drainage — eliminating the need to empty water tanks. A digital humidistat was installed in the basement, set to maintain 45–50% relative humidity automatically. We also applied antimicrobial treatment to the mold area and sealed the duct connections with mastic to prevent air leaks that could reintroduce humid air.
Results & Outcomes
- Humidity maintained at 45–50% automatically (previously 65–70%)
- Musty odor completely eliminated within 48 hours
- Electric bill reduced $40/month (one efficient unit vs. two portables)
- No mold recurrence at 6-month follow-up inspection
Project Details
Service
Indoor Air Quality
Location
Sudbury, MA
Duration
1 Day
Equipment
Aprilaire
Scope
Residential
Result
Completed Successfully
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