Question:

Hi Robert: I recently asked one of your other experts a question regarding the moisture problem I have with my windows. Basically, the windows are sweating due to the heat and cold mixture and leaving puddles of water on my inside widow ledge. The expert said to try and level out my humidity and this may help. But I just noticed that my furnace does not have a humidifier. This was a newly built home from Richcraft we bought and have been in now for over two years. My older Richcraft townhome had a humidifer on the furnace, that is why I am in shock that they did not put one on my new house. I thought it automatically came with the new house. Anyways, what can I do to level out the humudity levels in my house to help the window moisture problem all over my house. It is beginning to cause mould around the caulking and wood. Note: they are vynl windows. Looking forward to your response Many thanks: Maurizio

Answer:

Humidifiers are not automatic with new homes. You should have however been offered the installation of an HRVS system. This is a Heat Recovery Ventilation System. This would aid in the automatic air exchanges in the home and continue to introduce fresh air into the home while exhausting older stale air. You should consider the installation of an HRVS if you currently do not have one. Two things you may try in the meantime: 1- Ensure that you do not have heavy materialed drapes/curtains around the windows as this slows/prevents the circulation of air. 2- If you have a gas insert fireplace you may want to consider lowering the thermostat on the furnace and running the natural gas fireplace longer. These fireplaces run based on a convection air which is a dryer air and circulation causes higher humidity to be dried out by this method. It doesn't always work but it may reduce the humidity in the home enough to stop the pooling. One more thing, I suggest you remediate the mildew around the caulking and wood using a 1 part bleach, 4 parts water solution to prevent further spread. Regards, Robert Hill www.amerispec.net/hill

Answered By: Robert Hill

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