THE EcoSmart REFRESH CYCLE
An effective dehumidification solution.
Humidity Concerns:
Drywall mold growth
Paint/Wallpaper cracks or bubbles
Wood floors and furniture rot
Carpet harbors mold growth
Stale smelling, musty air
If an HVAC system supports active dehumidification, EcoSmart™ thermostats can be outfitted with a Relative Humidity sensor that will engage in dehumidification until humidity has fallen below the RH% by a programmable increment. However, when an HVAC does not have an active dehumidification stage, EcoSmart thermostats can employ an effective passive dehumidification strategy called the “Refresh Cycle.”
EcoSmart REFRESH CYCLE – HOW IT WORKS
By adjusting both the length and the frequency of the refresh cycle drives, the Refresh Cycle can keep relative humidity at manageable levels during periods of unoccupancy. It can be an effective dehumidification strategy for systems that do not have any provisions for active dehumidification–such as reheat elements. The Refresh Cycle comes at the cost of a small reduction in run-time savings during the unoccupied period, which varies based on the length and frequency of each Refresh Cycle.
However, even at aggressive intervals such as 12 minutes every 4 hours, the Refresh Cycle forces an average of just 3 minutes of run-time per hour. Properties can still expect to see significant energy savings due to reductions of total system run-time–in addition to substantially lower humidity levels. By reducing one of the causes of mold and mildew, property owners can avoid financial damage to room furnishings and sustain a higher level of guest satisfaction.