Ohio Basements is a factory authorized distributor of the EZ Breathe® System - a maintenance free unit that helps protect your home and family from excess moisture, molds, toxins, allergies and poor air quality resulting in a cleaner, healthier living environment. It provides powerful ventilation, supporting both the EPA and the American Lung Associations' recommendations to use a ventilated system to reduce indoor air pollution. The EZ Breathe® unit itself is a quiet, unobtrusive apparatus that fits easily into any room in the house. With no water or filters to change, it requires no on-going time or attention. With its energy efficient design, it requires very little power and no on-going investment. It is a truly revolutionary approach to home ventilation.
The EZ Breathe® expels the dampest, coldest most contaminated air from your home to the outside. The most common question asked by homeowners is: "If the air is exhausted outside, do we lose any heat?" The answer is no. Since EZ Breathe® eliminates only the damp, cold, air at the lowest level of your home, the potential for losing heat is low. Damp basement air is harder to heat than dry air, so it's more economical to replace damp air in your home and heat fresh dry air. Once the EZ Breathe® unit has exhausted the damp air outside and replaces it with dry air from the higher levels of your house, it will shut off. The EZ Breathe® continuously monitors the humidity levels, turning itself on as humidity levels increase.
The Humidistat Setting
This component continuously monitors the humidity level of the air being expelled through the EZ Breathe® unit. You can set this control to maintain the desired level of humidity in your home/building.
For best results, set the humidstat between 30 - 50%.
NOTE - when the desired humidity level has been achieved, the EZ Breathe® unit will automatically turn off, or back on again as the humidity level increases. The EZ Breathe® will run continuously until desired level has been reached. Don't worry; the unit has been designed to perform under these conditions. During winter / colder periods when the furnace is often running, the unit may shut off due to the humidistat reaching the desired humidity level. During these periods, you can set the humidistat to its lowest setting and turn the fan to low. This will cause the unit to run on low continuously, providing ventilation for the space without exhausting heated air.
Fan Speed Control
The rate at which you expel the air outside is adjustable with the help of this control.
For best results: In the summer, set the speed control on med - high. In the winter, set the speed control to med - low. VENTILATION ONLY: Humidistat to 20% & Fan Speed to slow. BACK TO TOP
Moisture
Excess moisture in a home can weaken a home's structure, damage personal belongings, cause unpleasant odors and reduce air quality. A high level of moisture can cause mold growth which can lead to bacteria, cockroaches and dust mites. This excess moisture can also cause the rotting of a home's foundation and be the origin of asthma and allergies in the home's inhabitants.
Moisture can originate from a number of outdoor sources as well as from the activities of those living in the home.
Outdoor sources include: Indoor sources include: Domestic activities Appliances House plants Air conditioners Damp basements
Excess moisture within a home is not a hard problem to diagnose. There are numerous symptoms that can indicate that there is a high level of moisture within your home. These include:
Odors: higher humidity leads to the increase in indoor smells. Musty odors can be caused by mold, mildew and rot.
Frost and ice on cold surfaces
Damp feeling within the home
Surface discoloration, staining and texture changing
Deformed wood surfaces and wood decay
Sweating pipes
Peeling paint
Chipping concrete
Increased indoor humidity
Rust
It is important to diagnose excess moisture problems early to prevent further damage. The EZ Breathe ventilation system can help reduce the level of indoor moisture by removing damp, contaminated air. The result is drier, cleaner and healthier air that will reduce the risk of home damage and health issues. BACK TO TOP
Odor Removal
Odors and smells within a home not only cause discomfort but can also be the result of bigger problems such as excessive moisture in the air and mold. Mold in a home can cause headaches, nasal irritation, dizziness, fatigue and nausea. The main culprit of lingering, unpleasant odors in a home is the lack of proper ventilation and poor air quality.
Indoor odors are caused by both natural and man-made sources. These odors can be removed by improving the home's ventilation, purifying the air and being aware of everyday activities. A home's odor problem can be caused by a variety of sources including:
Bacteria
Dust mites
Animal dander
Cat saliva
Mold
Smoking
Cleaning
Cooking
The EZ Breathe® ventilation system can take care of all ventilation issues including air purification and odor removal. This system removes harmful contaminants that cause odors and replaces the home with fresh, odor-free air. You will notice a big difference immediately! BACK TO TOP
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need ventilation?
As changing technology improves the methods and materials involved in residential building, studies are indicating the need for a home ventilation system. New homes are currently being built that greatly improve energy efficiency by sealing these homes off from the outside. The same is happening to older homes. New windows and doors help to improve the energy efficiency of these homes. The negative side effect of all this is that homes can no longer breathe in a manner that allows stale, damp, contaminated air out and a good supply of fresh air in. This lack of airflow through the home is being linked to severe health concerns and a general deterioration of the value of the home.
How does the EZ Breathe® work?
With the installation of an EZ Breathe® ventilation unit the proper amount of airflow is established in your home, making the air cleaner and healthier to breathe. The EZ Breathe® ventilation unit helps to remove the stale, damp, contaminated air from the lowest point in your home. No matter if you have a basement, crawlspace, or slab floor the EZ Breathe® ventilation unit will work for you. By drawing the air from the lowest part of your home the EZ Breathe® expels bad air where it resides. Air holding moisture or contaminants is heavier than clean dry air. As a result the damp polluted air settles and builds up in the lowest part of your home. With the installation of an EZ Breathe® this bad air is expelled from your home minimizing unhealthy damaging build up.
Why an EZ Breathe® instead of a dehumidifier or Air Purifiers?
The EZ Breathe® is a one unit whole house solution. To get the same effect you get with one EZ Breathe® you would need a dehumidifier and an air purifier in every room of your home. So, for the average seven room home you would need seven dehumidifiers and seven air purifiers to do the job of one EZ Breathe®. Obviously purchasing and operating that many units would not be a viable option.
Will the EZ Breathe® work in my crawlspace?
Yes. A 2005 study found that in most homes with crawl spaces, up to 50 percent of the air in the home had at one time been in the crawlspace via leakage. This moist damp air can buckle hardwood floors, create fertile ground for mold growth (an asthma trigger), attract pests and termites and can even cost more in terms of energy consumption. According to one recent study, crawl spaces open to the outside are "moisture traps". The EZ Breathe® ventilation system acts as a vapor barrier, seals crawlspace vents and provides airflow from the conditioned portion of the home. The EZ Breathe® ventilation system provides airflow from the conditioned portion of the home and is specifically designed to exhaust and remove damp, moist, damaging air from crawlspaces.
Does the EZ Breathe® run all year?
The fan is controlled by a humidistat. If the humidity is higher than the fan setting, the fan will automatically adjust itself to a setting that lowers the humidity to the proper level. Once the humidity reaches the desired setting, it will slow the fan down giving you the needed airflow.
What happens to the water?
You will not see any water since it does not condense like a traditional dehumidifier. It is instead removing the moist air and replacing it with warm dry air from the upstairs. This means there is no reservoir to empty on a daily basis.
Will it increase my heating/cooling bills?
The affect on your climate control bill is minimal, based on the fact that the EZ Breathe® draws air from the very lowest part of the home. This air is always the coldest air in the home to begin with, and due to its damp nature it is also the hardest to heat. Once in operation the EZ Breathe® moves the colder air out, and since dry air is easier to heat than damp air, your heating system does not work as hard to maintain the desired temperature.
Where is the EZ Breathe® installed?
The EZ Breathe® is placed at the lowest level of the home on an exterior wall. With the unit's finished appearance, and a whisper quiet fan, it can be placed in any room.
In addition to the improved quality of life, customers will enjoy added benefits of the EZBreathe® system as well:
Maintenance free with no filters to change or buckets to empty
Energy efficient: Operates for $2-$4 per month
Lowers overall heating bills
Quiet-running, compact unit allows for unobtrusive operation BACK TO TOP
Molds, Bacteria
It is common for mold to grow in a home. Mold growth is more rapid in areas with high levels of moisture. High indoor humidity, water leaks, flooding and condensation can increase mold development. Some common places within a home for mold to grow include:
Basements: Moisture seepage causes mold on walls, floors, carpeting and other materials that are stored in the basement.
Crawlspaces: Cross ventilation on humid air through a cooler space or complete lack of ventilation can cause condensation. Dirt floors allow moisture and unwanted gas to enter the building envelope.
Bathrooms: Moisture causes mold on shower walls, ceramic tiles, and fiberglass. The proper use of exhaust fans can help with bathroom mold growth.
Laundry Rooms: Damp towels, wet clothing and drying clothes without a vent can cause mold growth.
Kitchens: Boiling water often using no exhaust fan can cause mold to grow. Mold is also common in automatic defrosting refrigerator pans.
Closets: Storing damp or dirty clothing can cause mold growth.
Behind Furniture: Lack of ventilation, darkness, warmth and dampness can cause mold growth.
Some common signs of mold in a home include a musty odor and the discoloration of surfaces. Mold can cause surfaces to change color to white, green, brown, black or orange. It is important to pay attention to these warning signs since mold can lead to a home's structural damage as well as produce allergens, irritants and in some cases- potentially toxic substances.
Removing moisture from a home is the first step in preventing mold growth. The EZ Breathe® ventilation system removes excess moisture from a home, improves the air quality and helps prevent the formation of harmful, damaging mold. Furthermore, it also exhausts mold spores and MVOCs, the gas that mold generates (which causes the odor you smell).
Every Breath You Take
Common contaminants that affect the quality of indoor air:
Allergens are natural particles such as dust mites, pet dander, and pollen, which irritate, inflame and promote respiratory illness.
Airborne bacteria and viruses can lead to a wide range of ailments and infections, and thrive in damp, stale environments. Without ventilation, these bacteria continue to breed.
Toxic chemicals are the condensation and buildup of vapors from common household products such as paint, pesticides, cleaners, solvents, adhesives and aerosols that can be highly toxic if not properly ventilated from the home.
Mold is a fungus, which needs moisture to exist, that gradually destroys the things it grows on. Spores released by mold are highly toxic and can cause serious - and even terminal - health complications.
Moisture is the number-one problem in air quality control. Uncontrolled moisture promotes mold growth, feeds thriving bacteria and causes structural damage to the home.
The Warranty and Guarantee are only valid for units sold and installed by authorized distributors and installers.
During the ten (10) year warranty period, the manufacturer will replace, free of charge, any parts (except outside vent) which proves defective in manufacturing or in material and/or workmanship, when the EZ Breathe® unit is installed under normal conditions. Replacement parts can be obtained from your original system installer. This warranty is limited to defective parts replacement only. Any incidental or consequential damages connected there with are specifically excluded. Any damage to this unit as a result of misuse, abuse, neglect, an accident, un-installation, fire, water or floods will void this warranty.
This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties or conditions whether expressed or implied including but not limited to those of merchantability or fitness for purpose and shall constitute the sole remedy of the purchaser and the sole liability of the manufacturer in respect of the sale of the product. Acceptable airflow and air quality (i.e. under 50% relative humidity) requirements must be established and maintained for the unit to assist in reducing humidity and air pollutants, and it is the homeowner's responsibility to do so.
EZ Breathe, LLC nor distributors are not responsible for returning the home/building to its original pre-installation state once the system is un-installed, e.g. construction holes, venting, cut-outs, re-paint, etc.
Mold, mildew, allergies, and moisture can be reduced through proper home ventilation.
"The American Lung Association and Environmental Protection Agency recognize that there are three major strategies for reducing indoor air pollution: Source Control, Ventilation and Air Cleaning." - American Lung Association and EPA
"Humidity and moisture can promote growth of biological agents that can trigger asthma." - Dr. Kenneth Hellevang, P.E. North Dakota State University
"Every home needs ventilation to protect people from unhealthy indoor pollutants." - Home Ventilation Institute
"Case reports state that toxic molds inside homes can cause unique or rare health conditions." - U.S. Center for Disease Control
"Asthma in young children is causing greater economic and social damage than either Tuberculosis or HIV." - World Health Organization
"Ensure the home is ventilated, preferably with a mechanical ventilation system." - EPA
"People with respiratory problems need to be protected from ozone€¦ There are reports of ozone being generated in someone's living room€¦ at levels equivalent to having a Stage 1 smog alert." - California Air Resources Board (CARB). EZ Breathe is not an air purifier but a complete home ventilation system.
Customer Testimonials
"I must write to tell you that his unit is the best investment we have made in a long time. You are always skeptical buying anything sight unseen and on-line! The start of my wife's typical day was to wipe all of our windows every morning. We purchased a new construction home in 2003. We always had moisture and ice on all of our windows in the winter months. We had fans running just to move the air on certain windows. We had the EZ Breathe® unit installed on Monday, December 22nd. It may be hard to believe but in only 2 days there is no longer any moisture on ANY of our windows. It only took me 5 years to find this unit! I would recommend this unit to all! " The Slotty Family
"In the first part of Nov. 2008 I had one of your units installed in my home. Prior to that, I was using oxygen every night and some during the day. I also was taking 3 to 4 breathing treatments with a nebulizer every day. Well that has all stopped! I have not taken a breathing treatment since. I have also not used oxygen at all during the day . It is so wonderful not to have those hoses up my nose all the time and to be able to breathe easier. That you very much for that.
Now here is the real story!
Yesterday afternoon I was baking a pizza in the oven. After that I shut the oven off. After that I went on with my day and evening and went to bed. That night I woke up to go to the bathroom and I thought I smelled gas in the air. I checked my oven. It was off and no gas smell when I opened the oven door. I went back to bed. Woke up at 6:30AM today. Again I could smell gas. I checked the oven again. Again it was ok. I look at the top burner knobs and one of them was on on low.I guess I had bumped that burner knob and knocked on to low position. Being the stove has electronic pilot lights it did not lite because it had passed the liting position and was just letting gas into the air. I quickly turn the knob off and turned on my range hood fan and my ceiling fans. But I honestly believe that if your ventilation system had not be running full bore, I would have been dead or very ill or have blown the house up. But thanks to your system. I am alive and well today as I sit here and type this message many thanks for your wonderful product. I honestly believe it saved my life!" Rod Marshall
"Now when we enter our house, it feels like we're walking into a new home! EZ Breathe® has helped to solve our moisture and mold problem, and completely removed the stale, musty odor for good. Thank you!" Richard and Tonya Spraggins
"The EZ Breathe® is one of the best investments we have ever made. The house has a fresh and clean smell all the time, no more musky smell in the basement. Cooking odors disappear faster. The system is very quiet and the warranty is unbeatable." Bobby D. Rhinehard
"We've had your EZ Breathe® unit in our basement for a little over a month now and what a difference! No more musty smell, the humidity and dampness are at a comfortable level and the best of all my oldest daughter can now come down into the basement and play video games with her brother and sisters." Rick and Denise Davidson
"I am pleased with the EZ Breathe® that they put in. I had so much static in the house that every time I touched something I would get shocked. Three days after EZ Breathe® was installed I no longer had the static." — Joyce Hanna
"I love my EZ Breathe®. We have five cats and three litter pans and I can no longer smell them when I go down to the basement." Kathy Sled
Chute Dimensions: Height: Extends up to 102" tall (259.08cm) Width: 12 inches (30.48cm) Depth: 2.5 inches (6.35cm)
Never resting on its laurels, the EZ Breathe team continues to challenge and test our product. As part of our on going commitment to Research and Development, the EZ Breathe team conducts product testing on an ongoing basis. Results are posted as they become available.
An example of EZ Breathe's steadfast commitment to research and development is the mold testing conducted with the EZ Breathe model 400. The testing indicates an average of 50% reduction in total mold spores for the entire structure, and in specific rooms, up to an impressive 99.5% reduction in the spores. These homes were tested prior, and then again, 45 - 110 days after installation of the EZ Breathe, clearly demonstrating the system's effectiveness in reducing harmful mold spores and pollutants.
Radon Test Reports
Kidde Radon Test Report
Location: Duncansville, PA Basement Exercise Room
Before EZ Breathe
After EZ Breathe
05.13.09
05.27.09
Lab ID#
Radon Level (pCi/L)
Radon Level (pCi/L)
857068
6.2
1.3
Mold and Lead Paint Analysis Reports
Air-O-Cell Analysis of Fungal Spores & Particulates by Optical Microscopy
Location: Derry, NH Basement QA
Before EZ Breathe
After EZ Breathe
08.27.09
09.10.09
Spore ID
Spores/M3
Spores/M3
Alternaria
42
42
Ascospores
42
0
Aspergillus/Penicillium
143000
1350
Basidispores
211
253
Bipolaris
0
0
Chaetomium
0
0
Ciadosporium
0
42
Curvularia
0
0
Epicoccum
0
0
Fusarium
0
0
Ganoderma
84
42
Myxomycete
0
0
Pithomyces
0
0
Rusts
42
0
Scopulariopsis
0
0
Stachybotrys
0
0
Torula
0
0
Ulocladium
0
0
Unidentifiable Spores
0
0
Zygomycetes
0
0
Unid Hyphomycetes
160
0
Total Fungi
143000
1730
Â
Â
Biological Particles
Particles/M3
Particles/M3
Hypal Fragment
0
0
Insect Fragment
0
0
Pollen
0
84
AllState Services Environmental, Inc. Mold and Lead Paint Inspectors
Location: Cumberland, RI
Before EZ Breathe
After EZ Breathe
07.27.06
Results
Spore Count
11.14.06
Results
Spore Count
Outside
7,885
Outside
3,555
Living Area
Score 204
3,841
Living Area
Score 123
1,413
Basement
Score 330+
29,393
Basement
Score 204
1,546
Conclusion from above table: Mold count outside dropped 55% by -4,330 points Mold count living area dropped 63% by -1922 points Mold count basement dropped 99.5% by 27,847 points Mold score living area dropped 40% by -81 points Mold score basement dropped 32% by -83 points
The EZ Breathe® expels the dampest, coldest most contaminated air from your home to the outside. The most common question asked by homeowners is: "If the air is exhausted outside, do we lose any heat?" The answer is no. Since EZ Breathe® eliminates only the damp, cold, air at the lowest level of your home, the potential for losing heat is low. Damp basement air is harder to heat than dry air, so it's more economical to replace damp air in your home and heat fresh dry air. Once the EZ Breathe® unit has exhausted the damp air outside and replaces it with dry air from the higher levels of your house, it will shut off. The EZ Breathe® continuously monitors the humidity levels, turning itself on as humidity levels increase.
Fan Speed Control
