Window Condensation : What causes it?

As we all start to give in to the changing temperatures and switch on the heat in our homes, there are some familiar annoyances that reappear.  Window condensation is a top complaint of many homeowners, blocking their beautiful views of the changing fall colors outside.

What causes it?

It is the excess humidity in our homes. Warm air holds more humidity and when comes into contact with the cold surface of the window, it manifests itself in the form of condensation.  The issue is not our windows, it is controlling humidity through ventilation.

How do you prevent it?

1. Run bath fans and kitchen exhaust fans for longer than just showering time or cooking time.

2. Ventilate appliances like your clothes dryer or gas burning stove to the outside.

3. Be sure the louvers venting your attic or crawlspace are open and not blocked.

4. Open the fireplace damper or air out your house for a bit to allow the air full of moisture to escape.

The excess humidity issue

Heating and Ventilating magazine did a study on the sources of water vapor in the home:

- Cooking for a family of four = 4.5 lbs./day

- One shower = .5 lbs.

- Laundry = 30 lbs./wk

- Human occupancy = 6 to 8 lbs./day

- Dishwashing 1.2 lbs./wk

The typical family of 4 easily creates 150 pounds of water vapor a week which is more than 18 gallons of water!

Allowing this air to normalize itself is the key to preventing many moisture issues within the home, come learn more at our workshop next week with Cindy Ojczyk, who specializes in the science behind beauty:

October 23rd at 7:00 PM

95 Mackubin Street, St. Paul

Our friend Cindy Ojczyk will be talking with us about all things comfort-related and the in-depth science of it so you can make your home cozy, energy-energy efficient and dry year-round.

RSVP HERE or 651.222.8750

Wine and snacks will be served. 

The event is free, for more information visit our website,

http://www.building-arts.net/workshops.html

Drafts: What to do? 3 Ways to Prevent

Fall winds are starting to blow, are you feeling the chill?  This year, get ahead of those all too familiar drafts that breach your home, and ensure yourself a cozy home all winter long.  Here are three simple ways to prevent drafts.

Draft Snakes are always an option!

1. Install a sweep. A vinyl or felt strip found at a hardware store that attaches to the bottom of your exterior doors closing the gap between the door and floor. Cold air loves to creep in this space.  Block it.

2. Weather Stripping.  Buy the self adhesive kind at a hardware store and cover the perimeter where the window or door meets the stop, when closed the foam will seal the space between.  Remember, all those cracks add up to heat escaping from your home as hot air flows to cold. Heat your home, not the outdoors.

3. Replace your storm windows. In many cases you can keep and repair or restore your home’s original windows and improve energy efficiency and comfort greatly by upgrading your storm windows.

Want to know more? Do you have questions about home performance and comfort? To learn more about how windows and heating systems work in your home and how to make your home more comfortable – come to our workshop –

October 23th at 7:00 PM

95 Mackubin Street, St. Paul

Our friend Cindy Ojczyk will be talking with us about all things comfort-related and the in-depth science of it so you can make your home cozy, energy-energy efficient and dry year-round.

RSVP HERE or 651.222.8750

Wine and snacks will be served. 

The event is free, for more information visit our website,

http://www.building-arts.net/workshops.html