Condo gong show, How should I go about mending this one?
Have two of these units in a 70's condo. The smell of mold off of the units is so strong that it has not gone away after having every single window open all summer. Radiator has been sweating heavy the entire summer months for 30 years now causing this to happen:
open windows/doors causes more condensation. Are you sure all of that is from evap condensation and not leaks also? Do you Own these units/condos? Relining will do no good unless all the insulation/barriers are replaced even then it will most likely be back soon. Depending on type of mold it could be significant, and if not handled correctly it could be a liabilty if you plan on renting or resale. Is hydronic your only options?
I own it and the water cooling/ heating is all I got unless the management decides to retrofit every other unit here. I can be sure that other units in this building are like this aswell. What is the best insulation material to surround the walls of this unit with? The fur insulation areas by the radiator get soaked all summer. We have the windows open with out the blower on but cold water is still being piped through the rad.
I'd call a mold remediation company. Otherwise anything you do, will be on your liability. Once they fix this problem, it'll be on them. If you (as the owner) try and fix, there would be no "escape" from any renter claim. IMO anyway. Talk to your lawyer and get his legal opinion.
There is an "Armaflex" like insulation material that is supposed to be mold resistant. It is black and foam-like.
Going by what you describe, it sounds like chilled water runs through the coil no matter whether the fan is on or not. I saw a hand valve below the coil in one of your photos...if you don't need cooling and want to open windows, is that valve operable and can you just close it until you want cooling? Ideally that valve should be automated, and depending on how your building's chilled/hot water loop is set up it could require either a two or three way valve configuration. With an automated valve the chilled or hot water would only flow through the coil when the thermostat is calling for heat or calling for cooling. But to have this installed requires coordination with whoever is in charge of the mechanical systems for the building.
Electricity makes refrigeration happen.
Refrigeration makes the HVAC psychrometric process happen.
HVAC pyschrometrics is what makes indoor human comfort happen...IF the ducts AND the building envelope cooperate.
A building is NOT beautiful unless it is also comfortable.
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