I’m not one to fall for shiny sales pitches, but the EZ Breathe Ventilation System won me over. If your basement smells like a forgotten gym locker or feels like a swamp, this could be your ticket to fresher air and a healthier home.
I’ve lived with this system for over a year, and it’s transformed my musty basement into a space we actually enjoy. From cutting humidity to banishing odors, it’s a game-changer.
Stick with me as I break down my experience, the good, the not-so-great, and why you should seriously consider grabbing one.
My Experience With The EZ Breathe Ventilation System
When we moved into our 20-year-old home in upstate New York, the basement was a dealbreaker—or so I thought.
It had that classic damp, musty vibe, like someone left wet towels in a corner for a decade.
My kids refused to go down there, and I couldn’t blame them.
The air felt heavy, and on humid summer days, it was borderline unbearable.
We tried a dehumidifier, but it was like putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg—loud, needy, and constantly needing its bucket emptied.
Enter the EZ Breathe Ventilation System.
I stumbled across EZ Breathe while researching solutions for basement moisture. The idea of a system that didn’t just trap water but actively swapped stale air for fresh sounded too good to be true.
I was skeptical, especially at the $1,500 price tag, but the promise of no maintenance and whole-home air improvement hooked me. Installation was a breeze—a pro came in, set it up in our basement against an exterior wall, and had it running in a few hours.
It’s a sleek, unobtrusive unit, about the size of a small air purifier, and it hums quietly in the corner.
The first thing I noticed was the smell—or lack thereof. Within a day, that musty odor was gone. My basement felt drier, and the air didn’t cling to my skin anymore.
The system pulls air from the floor level, where all the damp, yucky stuff settles, and vents it outside, letting cleaner, drier air from upstairs flow down. It’s like giving your house a deep breath. My son, who’s got asthma, stopped coughing as much when we hung out downstairs.
We even turned the basement into a playroom, something I never thought possible. The humidity gauge, which used to hover around 60%, now sits comfortably at 45%. It’s not perfect, but it’s made our home feel like a different place.
Pros of The EZ Breathe Ventilation System
I’ll be honest—there’s a lot to love about this system. It’s not just a fancy fan; it’s a thoughtful solution for homes like mine that suffer from poor air quality. Here’s why it’s worth your consideration.
- Whole-Home Air Exchange
Unlike a dehumidifier that only tackles one room, EZ Breathe works its magic on your entire house.
It pulls stale, damp air from the basement or crawlspace and pushes it outside, creating a negative pressure that draws fresher air from upstairs.
This constant air exchange means the whole house feels cleaner.
In my case, even the first-floor living room stopped smelling like it was borrowing air from the basement.
It’s like giving your home a set of lungs that actually work.
- Energy Efficiency That Saves You Cash
I was worried about my electric bill spiking, but EZ Breathe is a lightweight when it comes to power. It uses about 40 watts—think of it as a couple of light bulbs. My monthly cost to run it?
Around $3-4. Compare that to the $30-50 a traditional dehumidifier can suck up, and it’s a no-brainer. I’ve noticed my air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard either, since the system keeps humidity in check year-round.
- Zero Maintenance Hassle
If you’ve ever owned a dehumidifier, you know the drill: empty the bucket, clean the filter, pray it doesn’t break. EZ Breathe? Set it and forget it. There’s no water tank to deal with, no filters to replace, and no moving parts that scream for attention.
I haven’t touched the thing since it was installed, and it’s been running smoothly for over a year. For someone like me who’s not exactly handy, this is a huge win.
- Odor Elimination That Actually Works
That musty basement smell? Gone. I used to dread opening the basement door, but now it just smells… normal. EZ Breathe doesn’t mask odors; it gets rid of the moisture and pollutants causing them.
My friend came over last week and commented on how fresh the house felt—she didn’t even know we had a system running. It’s also helped with random upstairs odors, like that lingering “wet dog” vibe after a rainy day.
- Health Benefits for Sensitive Lungs
If anyone in your house has allergies or asthma, this system could be a lifesaver. My son used to wheeze whenever he spent time downstairs, but since installing EZ Breathe, his symptoms have eased up.
The system reduces mold spores and allergens by keeping the air moving and dry. I’ve even noticed my own sinuses aren’t as stuffy. It’s not a cure-all, but it’s made a noticeable difference for us.
- Versatility for Any Home
Whether you’ve got a full basement, a crawlspace, or a slab foundation, EZ Breathe can handle it. We’ve got a finished basement, but I’ve read reviews from folks with crawlspaces in humid places like Florida who swear by it.
The system adapts to different setups, which makes it a solid pick no matter what kind of home you’re working with.
Not-So-Good Parts of The EZ Breathe Ventilation System
Nothing’s perfect, and EZ Breathe has its quirks. I’m not here to sugarcoat things—here’s what I’ve found less than ideal.
- High Upfront Cost
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the price. At around $1,500, EZ Breathe isn’t cheap. When I first saw the quote, I nearly choked. You could buy a decent dehumidifier for $300 or a bathroom exhaust fan for even less.
The cost stung, especially since I wasn’t sure it would live up to the hype. If you’re on a tight budget, that price tag might make you hesitate, and I get it—it’s a big investment.
- Not a True Dehumidifier
Here’s where things get tricky. EZ Breathe markets itself as a moisture solution, but it’s not a dehumidifier in the traditional sense. It doesn’t condense water like a dehumidifier does; it vents humid air out and brings in drier air.
In super humid climates, like parts of the South, it might struggle if the outside air is just as muggy as your basement. I live in a temperate area, so it works great, but if you’re in a swampy region, you might need a dehumidifier as a backup.
- Conditioned Air Loss
One downside I noticed is that EZ Breathe can pull out air you’ve already paid to cool or heat. Since it exhausts basement air to the outside, it draws in outside air to replace it, which might not be conditioned.
In the summer, this means your AC might work a bit harder. I haven’t seen a huge spike in my energy bill, but it’s something to keep in mind, especially if you’re obsessive about energy efficiency.
- Limited Radon Reduction
EZ Breathe claims it can help with radon, and I’ve seen a slight drop in our radon levels (we tested before and after). But it’s not a dedicated radon mitigation system.
If radon’s a big concern in your area, you’ll likely need a separate system with a fan tied to your home’s drainage. For us, the reduction was a nice bonus, but don’t expect miracles if radon’s your main issue.
- Noise, However Slight
The system is quiet—way quieter than a dehumidifier—but it’s not silent. There’s a low hum, like a soft fan, that you’ll notice if you’re sitting right next to it.
It doesn’t bother me, but if you’re planning to put it in a basement you use as a home theater, you might pick up on the sound during quiet scenes.
Maintenance Tips For Your EZ Breathe Ventilation System
One of the best things about EZ Breathe is how little you have to do to keep it running. Still, a few simple habits can ensure it stays in top shape. Here’s what I’ve learned to keep mine humming along.
- Check the Humidistat Regularly: The humidistat is your system’s brain, turning it on or off based on humidity levels. I check mine every couple of months to make sure it’s set to my preferred range (around 40-50% for us). If you notice the system running too much or not enough, tweak the humidistat. It’s as simple as turning a dial, and it keeps the system working efficiently.
- Keep the Area Around the Unit Clear: The EZ Breathe needs space to pull air from the floor level, so don’t stack boxes or furniture around it. I made the mistake of shoving a storage bin too close once, and the system wasn’t as effective until I moved it. Give it a couple of feet of breathing room to do its job.
- Inspect the Exhaust Vent: The system vents air outside, so make sure the exterior vent isn’t blocked by leaves, snow, or critters. I check mine every season, especially after heavy storms. A quick glance and a sweep with a broom usually do the trick. If the vent’s clogged, the system can’t expel air properly, and you’ll lose efficiency.
- Monitor for Unusual Noises: While the system’s quiet, any new rattles or hums could signal an issue. I haven’t had this problem, but a friend mentioned a loose part in their unit that needed tightening. If you hear anything odd, call the EZ Breathe team—they’ve got a solid 10-year warranty on parts, and they’re quick to help.
- Test Your Air Quality: To really see what EZ Breathe is doing, consider investing in an air quality monitor. I got a cheap one online, and it’s been great for tracking humidity and particulate levels. It’s reassuring to see the numbers drop after the system’s been running. Plus, it helps you fine-tune the humidistat for your specific needs.
Comparison of EZ Breathe Ventilation System With Other Brands
Let’s put EZ Breathe up against some competitors to see how it stacks up. I’ve looked into a few alternatives—like traditional dehumidifiers, HRVs (heat recovery ventilators), and ERVs (energy recovery ventilators)—and here’s how they compare in a way that feels real and grounded.
First up, traditional dehumidifiers, like the Frigidaire or Santa Fe models. These are cheaper, often $200-$400, and they’re great at pulling water out of the air. I used a Frigidaire before EZ Breathe, and it worked… sort of. It kept one corner of the basement dry but didn’t touch the rest of the house.
Plus, I was emptying that bucket every day, and the filters needed constant cleaning. EZ Breathe wins here because it’s maintenance-free and affects the whole house, not just one spot. But if you’re in a super humid climate, a dehumidifier might still be a better primary solution since it directly condenses moisture.
Then there’s HRVs and ERVs, like those from Venmar or Panasonic. These systems are designed to exchange air while recovering heat or coolness, which sounds awesome for energy efficiency. They’re pricier, though—$2,000-$2,500 installed—and more complex to set up.
A friend of mine has a Venmar HRV, and while it’s great for keeping energy costs down, it requires regular filter changes and can be noisy. EZ Breathe is simpler and cheaper upfront, but it doesn’t recover energy like an HRV or ERV. If you’re obsessed with maximizing energy savings and don’t mind the extra maintenance, an HRV might edge out EZ Breathe.
Another option is a basic exhaust fan, like a bathroom fan you’d get for $50-$100. I considered rigging one up myself, but it’s a half-baked solution. Exhaust fans don’t have humidistats, so they run constantly or not at all, and they don’t target the low-lying, damp air like EZ Breathe does.
Plus, they’re loud and don’t offer the whole-home air exchange. For the price difference, EZ Breathe feels like a premium upgrade that’s worth it for the automation and effectiveness.
Ultimately, EZ Breathe shines for its simplicity and whole-home approach. Dehumidifiers are great for spot treatment, HRVs and ERVs are better for energy nerds, and exhaust fans are a budget DIY fix that falls short. For me, EZ Breathe hit the sweet spot of performance and ease.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No, EZ Breathe isn’t a traditional dehumidifier. It doesn’t condense water into a tank like a dehumidifier does. Instead, it’s a ventilation system that pulls damp, stale air from your basement or crawlspace and vents it outside, replacing it with drier air from upstairs. It reduces humidity, but in very humid climates, you might still need a dehumidifier for extra muscle.
Reddit’s a mixed bag on EZ Breathe. Some users love it, saying it cleared up musty basements and improved air quality, with one person noting a 50% drop in mold spores. Others call it an overpriced exhaust fan, arguing you could get similar results with a $300 setup. My take? It depends on your needs. For whole-home ventilation without maintenance, it’s been a winner for me, but skeptics on Reddit have a point if you’re on a budget.
EZ Breathe can reduce radon levels by venting basement air, but it’s not a dedicated radon mitigation system. In my home, we saw a slight drop in radon after installing it, which was a bonus. However, if radon’s a serious issue, you’re better off with a specialized system that uses a fan tied to your home’s drainage. Always test your radon levels to be sure.
It depends on your situation. EZ Breathe is fantastic for whole-home air exchange, low maintenance, and tackling musty odors and humidity. If you want energy recovery, an HRV or ERV might be better, though they’re pricier and need more upkeep. For small budgets, a basic exhaust fan can help, but it lacks smarts. For my basement, EZ Breathe’s simplicity and effectiveness make it the top pick.
Conclusion: Why You Should Get An EZ Breathe?
After a year with EZ Breathe, I’m convinced it’s a must-have for anyone battling basement dampness or poor air quality. It’s transformed my home into a fresher, healthier space without the hassle of constant maintenance.
Sure, the price stings, but the payoff—clean air, no odors, and a basement we actually use—is worth every penny. If you’re tired of musty smells and stuffy air, give EZ Breathe a shot. It’s not perfect, but it’s the closest I’ve found to a set-it-and-forget-it solution.