Modern buildings are becoming more energy efficient and increasingly airtight. While this reduces energy loss and improves climate control, it also removes one of the oldest forms of moisture management in buildings: natural airflow. In doing so, it is creating a less visible but increasingly important risk that many developments are not yet fully designed to manage.
Green building standards are pushing for tighter envelopes and improved insulation, while coastal regions such as Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal continue to experience high ambient humidity. At the same time, older buildings are being retrofitted to improve energy performance, often without fully addressing how moisture will behave in newly sealed environments.
The result is a growing mismatch between temperature control and moisture control. Buildings may feel cool, but still retain elevated humidity levels that affect materials, finishes, and equipment over time. Persistent moisture can lead to corrosion, surface degradation, and increased maintenance cycles, particularly in environments where humidity remains high for extended periods.
Wynand Deyzel, Commercial Sales Manager at air treatment technology specialist Solenco, says this is becoming a design consideration rather than a maintenance issue.
“We have become very good at controlling temperature, but moisture is often left unmanaged. In more airtight buildings, that moisture has nowhere to go, and over time it begins to affect everything from structural finishes to sensitive equipment. We are also seeing increasing demand for dedicated humidity control across hospitality, high-end residential, and light commercial environments, where standard HVAC designs do not fully address moisture management,” he says.
Industry standards reflect this shift. Guidelines such as ASHRAE 62.2 set minimum requirements for mechanical ventilation in residential buildings to maintain indoor air quality, recognising that natural infiltration is no longer sufficient in tightly sealed structures. However, ventilation alone does not actively control humidity, particularly in humid climates, which leaves a gap between compliance and performance.
While air conditioning systems remove some moisture as part of the cooling process, they are not designed to directly control humidity levels. Air conditioners respond to temperature settings, cycling on and off to maintain a target temperature regardless of the relative humidity in the space. Dehumidifiers, by contrast, are designed to regulate moisture, maintaining a set humidity level independently of temperature. In practice, the two systems serve different functions and are most effective when used together rather than interchangeably.
This is where building design is starting to evolve. Environmental control is no longer limited to heating and cooling. Air itself is becoming part of the finished system, requiring active management to ensure stability over time.
“Moisture control is no longer something that can be left to chance. It needs to be engineered into the space in the same way as temperature control, especially in environments where humidity is consistently high,” says Deyzel.
This is resulting in greater use of integrated dehumidification within building systems. Rather than acting as a corrective measure, dehumidifiers are increasingly being specified to maintain stable indoor conditions, reduce strain on HVAC systems, and protect long-term asset performance.
For developers and facility operators, this applies both to new builds and retrofits. Ceiling-mounted, inverter-driven systems can be incorporated into design plans or added to existing spaces to consistently manage humidity without disrupting the building's overall aesthetic or energy profile.
As buildings continue to evolve towards greater efficiency, the unintended consequences of airtight design are becoming harder to ignore. Managing moisture is no longer a passive outcome of ventilation. It is an active design decision that will increasingly define how well buildings perform over time.
About Solenco
Solenco is a South African leader in air treatment and lifestyle technology, offering unique solutions for both homes and businesses. With over 20 years of experience and exclusive rights to top global brands like Meaco, Mill, and Hobot, Solenco delivers healthier, more efficient, and more refined living.
For the consumer market, Solenco helps South Africans breathe easier, live better, and entertain in style - available through trusted retailers like Yuppiechef, @Home, and Hirsch’s.
Its commercial division partners with industries such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and hospitality to provide reliable, tailored air treatment solutions built for South African conditions.
With nationwide distribution, expert support, and a commitment to sustainability, Solenco empowers smarter living and working every day.
Through its partnership with Eden Projects and the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative (CRCI), every Solenco website order plants three trees, while Kusasa and Thuza air purifier sales support conservation and community development in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.