TIPS ON HOW TO MANAGE HUMIDITY

Humidity has a number of benefits, like lowering the risk of spreading airborne illnesses. However, too much humidity in your apartment can cause issues. Excess humidity can encourage mold growth, create health problems, such as intensifying allergens , keep you from getting proper sleep and just make your apartment an uncomfortable place to be.

Following these steps will help to effectively manage and reduce humidity levels:

Improve Ventilation

Proper ventilation is key to reducing humidity. Use exhaust fans in kitchens when cooking and in bathrooms (we suggest leaving it on for 15 minutes after you have finished showering). Open windows on dry days to allow fresh air circulation.

Run Your Mechanical System ( A/C, HRV Unit throughout warmer days during the summer.)

Air conditioning not only cools the air but also removes excess moisture. Set your A/C to a comfortable temperature and use the “dry” or “dehumidify” mode if available.

Temperature

Keep your home heated to a normal, comfortable, recommended living range between 20 - 22 degrees Celsius. Excess heat or cold may cause excess shrinkage, or excess moisture in your home.

HRV System Settings

HRV units enhance the health, cleanliness, and comfort of your home by consistently exchanging stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air.

Refer to the following humidity chart to help you set your humidistat.

Run Your Dryer or Dry Clothes Outside

If are drying your clothes indoors by hanging them on a rack, on the back of a chair or over the shower curtain bar, you can reduce humidity by moving them outside if you’re able. This will help stop water from wet clothes evaporating into the air in your apartment and you get the added bonus of that clothesline-fresh smell in your clothes!

Keep Vents Unobstructed

In order for air to move freely throughout your apartment, you’ll want to ensure

that nothing is obstructing your vents.

Leave Doors Open

Shutting off interior rooms from the air conditioning or heat in the rest of the house will also worsen the air quality in those rooms. You’re actually disrupting the ventilation of the apartment, which makes it difficult to move fresh air freely throughout the unit.

Open Your Blinds

Opening the blinds allows fresh air to circulate, reducing condensation and humidity trapped between the blind and window. By opening up your blinds daily, you can reduce the likelihood of mold and water damage to surrounding window trim and wall.