Homeowners often insulate their basements for a variety of reasons. A non-insulated, concrete basement wall has the same insulation value as a single pane window. Basements are also often "finished" to add living space to people’s houses. The common method of insulating basements is to frame the concrete wall and place fiberglass batt insulation between the studs. A vapor barrier is then attached and drywall finishes the basement walls.

Moisture will enter the basement’s insulation system. The five most common sources of moisture in the basement insulation system are: (1) Moisture of Construction; (2) Air Leakage: (3) Capillary Rise: (4) Diffusion; or (5) Ground Water Leakage. Once in, the moisture becomes trapped in the dead space of insulation between the concrete wall and the vapor barrier. The moisture then leads to odors, decay and mould.

The Building Science Consortium (an American home building think-tank) states that this problem is leading to a disaster of unprecedented proportions and may result in the construction of energy efficient homes being set back a generation. 1

North Air Tech Corp. has patented the SecoAir system^TM. The SecoAir system^TM is for use in new home construction as well as remediation of moisture-damaged houses. The SecoAir system^TM uses a grooved, and rigid insulation system that attaches directly to the concrete wall and provides similar insulation value to the traditional method. Drywall is attached to the rigid insulation enabling the homeowner to “finish” the basement.

The benefit to this system is that a blower attaches to the system and forces air through the grooves in the insulation and into a dehumidifier where any excess moisture is removed. Thus the air between the concrete and drywall is regularly circulated the moisture taken away preventing mould from forming, and providing a more comfortable living space.