Tjernlund X2D Model Products Xchanger Reversible Basement Fans

I picked this up to improve the air flow in/out of my workshop to help keep the humidity down.When I built the shop, I didn't think about air flow and wound up with a humidity issue since it was sealed so tightly with foam insulation. As a result, when the A/C isn't running, my reloading tools start to rust - and that's a real problem.The installation of this Xchanger couldn't have been easier. Basically, it boils down to cutting a hole in the wall, pushing this through, mounting the outdoor hood + indoor fans, and then sealing it up with foam and caulk. It took less than an hour from start to finish and doesn't require any electrical work at all since there is just a standard plug on the indoor portion.Even though the install seemed solid there was an angled wall brace included; and, weirdly enough, it took me longer to figure that out and get it installed than it did the rest of the Xchanger. :)For my scenario, I installed it with one fan blowing out and the other blowing in to help keep a supply of fresh air out there. In that configuration, this will move 90 CFM of air - which is far too much for my use (and it quickly became apparent that the A/C couldn't keep up). Also, remember that if both fans are blowing the same direction, this unit will move 180 CFM of air in or out of your building. (It's easy to swap the direction of the fans after the install.)In order to solve the problem, I picked up a simple Infinite Cycle Timer Outlet  (Found Here)  and set it to run the Xchanger for only 1 minute on then 14 minutes off. (That may not sound like much, but the relative humidity in my workshop has dropped a solid 20% - and my A/C isn't working any more than before.)I was previously relying on a hOmeLabs 30 Pint Dehumidifier  (Found Here)  which ran constantly and had to be emptied every 2-3 days. Now it's off more than it's on and doesn't even have to be emptied weekly - that's a huge difference. In addition, I monitor my humidity levels using a SensorPush Wireless Hygrometer with Alerts  (Found Here) , and I've been amazed at the difference in relative humidity even though the outdoor humidity has actually been higher. My target humidity level is between 45-50%, and I haven't gone above that since installing the Xchanger.I am using the included humidity control unit - which is set to run the Xchanger at any level above 40% RH. That means it should pretty much always run. The control unit is pretty cool because it not only lets you set the humidity level, but also has an individual power switch for each fan if you only want to run one.As you can probably tell, I'm very happy with this Xchanger - but there are a couple of issues:1) The included 'filter' is nothing more than a mesh screen and doesn't keep anything small out at all. In other words, it will keep a leaf from blowing in - but won't prevent dust. The result has been my workshop is dusty instead of humid - and I need to figure out how to fix that issue now. I'm thinking of trying an automatic HEPA air purifier  (Found Here)  - but I'm probably also going to try rigging a better filter onto the included screen. If Tjernlund (or anybody else) would offer a real filter solution for this I would purchase it in a heartbeat.[*** Update 12/10/2017 ***]It probably seems like an odd solution, but I picked up a couple of magnetic 120mm PC fan filters  (Found Here)  and just stuck them to the front of the fans on the Xchanger - and that seems to have completely resolved the dust issue. It's too bad I didn't think of that before investing in the HEPA air purifier; but, at least the air is always nice and fresh in there now.[*** End Update ***]2) There are 2 magnetic covers included to seal the fans when not in use. Personally, I don't plan to use them - but it doesn't look like they have enough magnetic strength to work anyway. Honestly, they barely stay put when sitting on top of the Xchanger - and won't hold at all in a horizontal position. They also won't stay flat even though I've tried to flatten them for several days by sitting them under boxes of ammo.If you have a humidity issue that's caused by lack of ventilation, then I would highly recommend giving this Xchanger a try. Not only does it help with the humidity, but my shop feels and smells 'fresher' whenever I'm out there due to the increased ventilation.

I got this X2D Xchanger to supply outside air to my basement gym. It works very well in all of the airflow configurations that are advertised for the product. The box it comes in is no joke, it is heavyweight cardboard designed to really protect your investment.Installation is through a basement window that is four inches thick of pressure treated wood and then through an MDF interior wall panel which is covered in recording studio sound foam. Yes, it is repurposed from a studio to a very quiet gym. The fans are easy to pull out and change their configurations, and the fans are very quiet and not distracting to me.My air fed furnace also uses the incoming air to send air throughout the house. Yes, it does allow for outside humidity and sounds to enter the room.The filter stops large bugs and debris from entering the plenum. The fans are not strong enough to push air through a pleated HEPA filter, I tried.But there is 120mm magnetic fan filters that will help, but pollen and other allergens will probably still enter the home with the filters in place.The build of the Xchamger is very good craftsmanship, it is not foil paper thin and flimsy. The humidistat and individual fan controller is heavy duty and works as advertised.8-20-18: I installed a magnetic very mesh filter.The fan blowing into the room, it’s air flow was extremely restricted by the filter.

I just bought and installed it with a help of a friend who is a contractor. It took about 3-4 hours for the complete job. Make sure you locate it near an electrical outlet. After the first night when I went into my basement there was a noticeable difference. It is mid April in New England which is the rainy season. I didn't know what to set the humidistat at so I set it at 30% humidity and let it run for 4 days. I then went into the basement and again there was no musty smell. I tried raising the humidistat to see if it shutoff. It did at 60%. I reset the humidistat to 50% humidity and will let it run and see if it shuts off at some point. I read a few things about levels of humidity in a basement and it said that mold doesn't not grow at less than 60% humidity. I also read dust mites are not a problem at less than 50% humidity. I have a brand new house and was surprised by the humidity problem in my basement. My basement is about 1180 sq ft with 8 foot ceilings to the bottom of the floor joists. The floor joists are filled with insulation. According to my calculations this machine with both fans exhausting should exchange the air in my basement every hour! I believe my humidity problem is due the fact that before they could pour the basement floor it had water in it and they had to add crushed stone to pour the floor. After about 6 months in the house mold started growing on things in the basement. It seems like this little device has remedied my problem. I leave my basement door ajar so the dry air from upstairs can be drawn down to replace the damp air in the basement. I was told you either need to leave the basement door ajar, or add a floor vent that would again allow the dry air from upstairs to replace the air being expelled in the basement. It seems like common sense to have the air that is coming into the basement to replenish it away from this exhaust system. The only other option is having one fan exhausting out and one fan bringing outside air. The problem with this is that it cuts the effectiveness of your machine in half, in my opinion, only 90 cfm instead of 180 cfm being exhausted. I will review it again done the road.

This air exchanger was a life saver for my damp crawl space. It really moves a lot of air. The damp, smell that was ever present was gone in a few days. My crawl space was walk in on one end, dirt floor with a recent addition of heavy plastic liner to cover the dirt. The humidistat does a great job turning the unit on and off as needed at the setting you put it on. I installed it by myself with minimal problems in under an hour. I used an existing vent opening.