Is your home ready for winter?
 
Reducing the level of humidity in your home before winter is challenging, because we have been experiencing some drastic temperature changes over the past few years. Afternoon temperatures reach approximately 10ºC, but evening temperatures can drop to -5ºC. Windows in the majority of homes are subject to condensation because of these differences in temperature. It can take a few days to rectify this problem, so you have to be patient in the meantime.
 
Here are some practical tips for maximizing the performance of your ventilation equipment:

1) Don't delay turning on the heat in your home, especially in the basement. This will remove the humidity that has accumulated over the summer months.

2) Run your ventilation system on a regular basis, especially when you are cooking, taking a shower and so on.

3) Be sure to properly maintain your air exchanger (filter, recovery core). Check your exterior air inlet and remove any debris, dust or dead leaves that might be obstructing it. Check the "Tips/Air Exchangers/Maintenance" section of this site for additional information.

4) Do not store large quantities of firewood inside your home. The humidity that evaporates from the wood only adds to that generated by normal activities, making it more difficult to reduce it. Did you know that a cord of wood that dries out over a period of three years gives off the equivalent in humidity of 25 gallons of water?

5) Heat your home at a consistent temperature.

6) Do not close your blinds or curtains completely, because that will prevent the heat from reaching your windows, which fosters condensation. Remove interior window screens if you can.