147 - Dehumidification in Dry Climates & Vented Crawlspaces? Seriously?

About this episode

The episode discusses dehumidification strategies in dry climates and the effectiveness of ERVs and dehumidifiers in vented crawlspaces.

Can ERVs actually dehumidify a home? And does it ever make sense to use a dehumidifier in a vented crawlspace? Two listener questions spark a lively—and slightly ruthless—discussion that leads to one of Steve’s classic lines: “Suck it up, buttercup!” The crew digs into how moisture really behaves in dry climates, what ERVs can and cannot do when it comes to latent load management, and why dehumidification strategies that work in one climate can be completely wrong in another. They also unpack...

People in this episode

Host: Steve

Topics covered

• dehumidification
• dry climates
• vented crawlspaces
• moisture management
• ERVs
• latent load

Keywords

• dehumidification
• ERVs
• vented crawlspaces
• moisture behavior
• latent load management
• dry climates

More episodes of UnBuild It Podcast

• 157 - Four Building Science Puzzles: Expansive Soils, Radiant Barriers & More · June 4, 2026 · 32 min
• 156 - Building Standards vs Better Buildings? · May 21, 2026 · 34 min
• 155 - ZIP-R on the Roof? Structural, Hygrothermal & Durability Tradeoffs · May 7, 2026 · 32 min
• 154 - Wildfire Zone Rainscreens & Smarter ZIP Sheathing Use · April 16, 2026 · 31 min
• 153 - Wall Details That Actually Work: Water, Air & Rainscreens · April 2, 2026 · 32 min
• 152 - Thermal & Structural Loads: Insulation, Wood, and Concrete · March 19, 2026 · 40 min