With Alberta's highly fluctuating winter temperatures taking us from from freezing to thawing in a matter of hours, it’s important to focus on maintaining your home for optimum function during the winter months.
The humidity in our homes, and that winter freeze and thaw cycle, can create challenges with ice and water in bathroom vents and attics, where warm air meets cold and condensation can turn to ice. Here are some maintenance tips to keep your home healthy over the winter:
Managing humidity in your new home.
- We recommend that fans be left running for 30-45 minutes twice daily, especially after baths and showers. Open blinds and raise up from 4-8” and keep doors and curtains open to allow for air circulation. Common sources of humidity are bathing, laundry, or cooking, so be sure to monitor your usage and ensure that fans are used accordingly.
- Check humidity setting on your humidifier and ensure it’s set at an optimal level for the weather conditions.
- Wipe up any excess condensation collected on windows, window sills and doors to avoid water damage.
- Keep the furnace fan on to encourage air circulation in the home.
For more information on measuring the humidity in your home, please visit the Government of Canada website, and the Alberta New Home Warranty care and maintenance guide for regular household maintenance and seasonal items, and to understand your responsibilities as a new home owner.