About the Research
The hypothesis behind 50RH
We're exploring whether a small environmental sensor can give property teams earlier, more useful context about sustained moisture conditions. The hardware and risk model are still under development and have not been validated as a finished product.
Why Early Risk Detection Matters
Mold, persistent odors, and VOC-related complaints often start as subtle environmental changes before they become major maintenance and resident-health issues. Early detection gives teams time to respond before damage spreads.
The Sensing Hypothesis
A brief humidity spike after a shower is different from damp conditions that persist for hours. That makes sustained duration an important signal to investigate alongside temperature and air-quality indicators. The 50RH beta is designed to test whether those patterns can become useful maintenance prompts in real properties.
The Current Prototype
The current design centers on the Bosch BME688 and is intended to sample temperature, relative humidity, air pressure, and gas-based air-quality indicators. We are also experimenting with on-device processing and a rolling view of conditions. The enclosure, electronics, firmware, scoring method, sampling frequency, and dashboard presentation may all change during the beta.
The Working Risk Bands
The prototype dashboard uses color-coded bands to test whether a simple summary helps teams review environmental trends. These thresholds are a working model, not validated probabilities or guaranteed instructions:
| Score | Level | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0 – 0.3 | Low | Lower relative concern in the working model. |
| 0.3 – 0.6 | Moderate | A trend the beta dashboard may surface for review. |
| 0.6 – 0.8 | High | A stronger prompt to inspect conditions and context. |
| 0.8 – 1.0 | Critical | The highest experimental band; verify conditions independently. |
Beta scores are experimental. They do not detect or confirm mold, have not been validated as probabilities, and should not replace inspection, professional judgment, or an approved safety system.
Prevention vs. Remediation
Mold remediation can cost $3,000–$10,000 per unit, while major events involving wall cavities, HVAC contamination, or multiple units can exceed $30,000 — not including health impacts and potential liability issues. The beta is intended to evaluate whether better environmental context can help teams investigate sooner; it does not guarantee prevention or savings.
The Real Cost of Moisture Issues
Moisture-related problems can lead to significant expenses for property owners and managers. The following table outlines the average costs associated with common moisture-related issues in multifamily properties:
| Risk | Avg Cost (U.S.) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mold remediation | $3,000–$10,000 per unit | HomeAdvisor, Fixr, industry averages |
| Major mold event (hidden wall mold) | $15,000–$30,000+ | Industry averages |
| Water damage (to flooring, drywall, etc.) | $3,000–$7,500+ | FEMA, insurance reports |
| Insurance deductible hit | $5,000–$25,000 | Commercial multifamily policies |
| Emergency plumbing issue left unchecked | Can exceed $10K | Especially in multi-floor properties |
These figures explain why earlier context could be valuable, but the sensor beta has not yet demonstrated avoided incidents or savings. Approved testers will help us learn whether the prototype is useful in real maintenance workflows.
Help us test the hypothesis
Sensor hardware is unfinished, placements are limited, and every application is subject to approval. The beta is handled outside the regular online payment process.
Apply for Sensor Beta