Study on the High Humidity in Underfloor Space of Detached Houses During Summer: Part1 Effects of the Performance of Floor Insulation Materials on Underfloor Humidity

Abstract

In this study, we measured crawlspace temperature and humidity, etc., in two floor-insulated houses with different levels of floor insulation performance with the objective of revealing the impact of different levels of floor insulation performance on crawlspace temperature and humidity. Our findings are as follows: (l)The crawlspace in houses with high-performing floor insulation is lower in temperature and more humid compared to houses without it. (2) In summer, the temperature in the crawlspace is lower than that in the first-floor living area. in houses with high-performing floor insulation, the crawlspace is more resistant to being affected by the temperature in the first-floor living area, and is lower in temperature. (3) There is no major variation in crawlspace absolute humidity distribution between zones, but because the central zone is more resistant to the effect of outside temperature and lower in temperature compared to peripheral zones the central crawlspace zone is more humid than peripheral zones. This increased humidity in the central zone could potentially be eased by circulating the air in the crawlspace to equalize the temperature.