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Recently Released: Alternatives for Minimizing Moisture Problems in Homes Located in Hot, Humid Climates: An Interim Report

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e> While living in warm, humid climates like the Gulf Coast has its benefits, the weather can also take a toll on homes in the region.

In a recent HUD report entitled "Alternatives for Minimizing Moisture Problems in Homes Located in Hot, Humid Climates: An Interim Report" researchers and scientists examined factors that can contribute to such moisture problems.

Through a review of the topical literature, an examination of data from 70 manufactured homes in the Gulf Region both with and without moisture problems, observation by building scientists, and through a neural network analysis of a number of the contributors. Researchers worked to evaluate and prioritize the significance of twelve potential contributors to moisture problems in terms of their impact in causing such problems. Neural network analysis is a modeling technique for highly complex systems, combining good pattern recognition and classification tools, with the ability to effectively process imprecise input data.


Significantly, the results of the neural network analysis indicated that 62 percent of the moisture problems could be explained by a number of the identified contributors. In combination with other data analysis and a thorough literature review, these results helped prioritize the full list of contributors in terms of their impact on moisture problems. The contributors were then classified into three groups and listed in decreasing order of significance as follows:
· Pressure imbalances, including those caused by imbalances in the distribution of conditioned air, duct leakage, and shell leakage.
· Vapor retarders and air barriers as a complete system, including the walls (wall air barriers and vapor retarders), floor (bottom board and ground cover) and ceiling (ceiling air barrier and vapor retarder).
· Occupant comfort, which is affected by a combination of indoor temperature and humidity levels.

The report recommends further work focused on the three moisture problem contributor areas identified above, with an emphasis on the first two: pressure imbalances and vapor retarders/air barriers.

"Alternatives for Minimizing Moisture Problems in Homes Located in Hot, Humid Climates: An Interim Report," is available as a free download at https://www.huduser.gov/portal/publications/destech/moisture_problem.html or in printed form for a nominal charge by calling HUD USER at 1-800-245-2691.
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