I've seen similar setups work pretty well. Did a remodel for a client last year who insisted on passive vents but later added a small solar fan after a humid summer storm. Simple fix, and they've been happy ever since—sometimes basic is best.
"Simple fix, and they've been happy ever since—sometimes basic is best."
Reminds me of when we built our storm shelter a few years back. Thought we'd planned everything perfectly, but after one particularly damp spring, we realized ventilation wasn't quite enough. Ended up adding a small battery-powered fan—made all the difference. Sometimes it's just those little tweaks that do the trick...
Battery-powered fan sounds handy, but have you thought about passive ventilation instead? When we did ours, we put in a couple of simple vent pipes—one high, one low—to create natural airflow. No batteries to worry about, and it's been bone-dry ever since. Sometimes simpler really is better...or maybe we've just been lucky with the weather?
Passive vents are definitely underrated. I did something similar with a rental property basement—just two simple pipes—and tenants haven't complained once about dampness. Sometimes low-tech really is the way to go...though I admit, a battery fan does sound tempting for those muggy summer days. Maybe it's about finding that sweet spot between simplicity and comfort? Either way, glad your shelter passed inspection smoothly.
Passive vents are handy, sure, but I wouldn't underestimate the power of a small fan. Had a similar setup in my basement workshop—thought passive would be enough until July hit and I was sweating buckets just sanding wood. Ended up rigging a cheap USB fan to a power bank...game changer. Low-tech is great, but sometimes a little modern tweak saves your sanity. Glad your shelter passed though, always nice when inspections don't turn into horror stories.
