Understanding how your house breathes, leaks, and reacts as a system is key to understanding how it handles moisture. Home energy performance educators Chris Hughes and Steve Rogers explain why dew point tells you more than relative humidity, how everyday factors can drive moisture indoors, and why “houses aren’t squishy—they suck.” You’ll see how duct leakage creates a costly double whammy of wasted energy and unwanted moisture, why proper fan speed and sealed ducts matter, and when a dehumidifier becomes essential. With clear explanations and practical tips, this class will help you understand how your house operates as a system so you can make smarter choices that protect both your comfort and your investment.
In this mini class, you’ll learn:
- The basics of water vapor, including dew point, and how it affects your home. (4:43)
- How much water vapor is in your home, how design influences it, and why tracking dew point matters. (6:50–10:40)
- How your range hood drives moisture indoors, why sizing is essential, and why “Houses are not squishy. They suck!” (13:15)
- How HVAC systems are designed and how kitchen hood runtime affects moisture load. (18:58)
- How duct and air leaks introduce unwanted moisture into your home, including examples of attic air infiltration. (24:57)
- How your air conditioner removes moisture, why it needs buffer capacity, and when dehumidifiers become important. (32:20)
- Key factors in a load calculation, plus how fan speed and ducts improve comfort. (36:17)
- How a stove damper improves ventilation with make-up air, and why sealing ducts is so important. (39:37)
- When high dew points become a problem, how to interpret sensor readings, and which sensors offer the best value. (44:51)
Download the transcript here.
Watch More Episodes From Our HVAC + D Mini Class Series here:
https://changetheairfoundation.org/understanding-hvac-d/
Thank You To Our Sponsor!
Santa Fe Dehumidifiers: www.santa-fe-products.com
Links Mentioned In Our Interview:
Radon 101: Test, Mitigate, Breathe Easy with Zan Jones: https://changetheairfoundation.org/radon-101-test-mitigate-breathe-easy/
Carbon Monoxide 101: Testing & Prevention with Charon McNabb: https://changetheairfoundation.org/carbon-monoxide-101-testing-prevention/
Get In Touch With Our Guests:
The Energy Conservatory: https://www.energyconservatory.com
Learn More About Change The Air Foundation:
https://www.changetheairfoundation.org
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