Moisture

My latest piece of information relates to Moisture/Humidity in the home. First of all Homes built prior to the mid 1980's likely have a humidifier installed these should be on the return plenum of your furnace and the control should be installed in the living area NOT in the basement mechanical room, unless you spend a majority of your time in that area . Newer homes are more adequately sealed retaining their moisture so likely do not need that added moisture, rather more emphasis should be upon purging that moisture from the home to prevent Microbial Growth (Mould/Mildew)..........NOTE my reports never use the word "Mould" only a lab is capable of identifying mould to 100% certainty. Exhaust fans should be used to excess; bathroom and kitchen, if you have a Heatilator ( HRV) use this system regularly. Otherwise regularly opening windows/doors will do the deal also although this is not the common practice in modern life year round. A way of removing the moisture in your bathroom quickly after a shower is to turn on the cold faucet for a few minutes after you have stepped out of the shower, this will counteract the airborne heat as quickly if not quicker than opening the window especially if its already humid outside.
 
Many people are not aware, but listed below is the amount of moisture released into the air on a regular basis in your home:
 
First Year of Occupation in New Construction: approx 2500 litres as the interior dries.
 
Daily living 4 person family: 10 litres per day
 
1 Cord of Wood Fuel for Wood Stove: 5 liters per day
 
Exposed soil in Basement: 50 litres per day
 
Airconditioner/Hi Efficiency Furnace up to 1/2 liter of condensate per hour