Why Does a High Humidity Level Form in Low-Income Households despite Low Water Vapor Generation?

• Main Authors: Younhee Choi, Younghoon Lim, Joowook Kim, Doosam Song
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-09-01
• Series: Sustainability
• Subjects: low-income household; humidity level; water vapor generation activity; field measurement; long-term measurement
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/18/7563

This study uses long-term field measurements to quantify the indoor humidity generation rates of low-income households vulnerable to condensation and related problems. We found that the mean internal moisture excess of low-income households in Korea was 4.69 g/m³ higher than those of prior studies. Indoor water vapor generation rates of various activities considering the life style of low-income households were also quantified. The moisture generation rates of the shower and bath were 125.3 g/event and 51.1 g/event, respectively, and showed a similar or lower value compared to the existing results. The moisture generation rate of cooking showed the largest difference due to the residential characteristics of low-income households, such as cooking less frequently due to meal delivery services from the welfare center and the lower number of residents per household. Even though the moisture generation rates of low-income households for certain activities showed lower values compared to the results of prior studies, the indoor conditions were very humid due to the lower ventilation rates and studio-type open floor plan.