Current indoor humidity?

[Pacman]

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if you have really old windows, i would set that Window Efficiency factor to 1 which will limit your humidity down to like 20% or something.

From looking at the Ecobee website, I can simply keep my humidity level at the suggested 36%. Then, turn Frost Control on and finally, change the Window Efficiency factor (I'll do 1 as you suggested as the house is 20 years old with original windows). Then, it will target 36% default but then change automatically based on the outdoor temperature?

[dj_rice]

What does humidity do in winter? I've unplugged my water line to the humidifier for years now.

[Mitsu3000gt]

How do I lower my humidity and stop my window bottoms from freezing up? I set the thermostat to 15% (min) and flipped my humidifier to "summer" but it doesn't change at all, stays around 28-30% on the main floor and closer to 40% on the upper floor (where the bigger issue is). Do I need to physically take out the water line maybe?

The master bathroom exhaust fan drips as well when someone is taking a shower, so it's either blocked or the insulation isn't doing its job in this cold.

[ExtraSlow]

Hilarious, I started this thread looking for how to increase my humidity above 30-35%, and seems everyone else wants to drop theirs down to 20% or lower.

[realazy]

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How do I lower my humidity and stop my window bottoms from freezing up? I set the thermostat to 15% (min) and flipped my humidifier to "summer" but it doesn't change at all, stays around 28-30% on the main floor and closer to 40% on the upper floor (where the bigger issue is). Do I need to physically take out the water line maybe?

The master bathroom exhaust fan drips as well when someone is taking a shower, so it's either blocked or the insulation isn't doing its job in this cold.

If you open the blinds half way up, it helps a lot. I have triple pane windows with the humidity reading at 29% and it still frosts up a bit if I have the shades open only 2-3 inches at the bottom.

If you leave the furnace fan on all the time, the circulating air helps warm on the windows more too.

To lower humidity quick, you can open the door or windows for a little bit, the -30°C air basically has no moisture.

As for the bathroom fan dripping, you probably have compacted insulation in your attic and it's not doing its job as well anymore.

[ExtraSlow]

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To lower humidity quick, you can open the door or windows for a little bit, the -30°C air basically has no moisture.

Yes, easy to drop indoor humidity by getting more outdoor air into your house.

[Mitsu3000gt]

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If you open the blinds half way up, it helps a lot. I have triple pane windows with the humidity reading at 29% and it still frosts up a bit if I have the shades open only 2-3 inches at the bottom.

If you leave the furnace fan on all the time, the circulating air helps warm on the windows more too.

To lower humidity quick, you can open the door or windows for a little bit, the -30°C air basically has no moisture.

As for the bathroom fan dripping, you probably have compacted insulation in your attic and it's not doing its job as well anymore.

I actually have no blinds at all haha - house is new and we haven't got around to blinds yet.

If I leave my furnace fan on 24/7, is is also going to heat 24/7 because it's sucking in -30 air? I need to learn more about the HVAC used in new homes nowadays, I am just not used to it.

As for the bathroom fan, the house is brand new so I doubt anything is compacted (assuming that happens over time?). I'm going to try get the builder to come look at it. I wonder if something is blocked or if they forgot to insulate the vent.

[sabad66]

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From looking at the Ecobee website, I can simply keep my humidity level at the suggested 36%. Then, turn Frost Control on and finally, change the Window Efficiency factor (I'll do 1 as you suggested as the house is 20 years old with original windows). Then, it will target 36% default but then change automatically based on the outdoor temperature?

yup exactly. If you set your window factor to 1, as soon as it hits -11 or lower outside temp, it will override your humidity setpoint to 15% with Frost Control on. When it gets back up to hotter than -11 then it will honour your original setpoint of 36%.

You may want to try setting the factor to 3 or 2 insetad of 1 at first, but if you find they are still frosting then bump it down to 1.

[sabad66]

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I actually have no blinds at all haha - house is new and we haven't got around to blinds yet.

If I leave my furnace fan on 24/7, is is also going to heat 24/7 because it's sucking in -30 air? I need to learn more about the HVAC used in new homes nowadays, I am just not used to it.

As for the bathroom fan, the house is brand new so I doubt anything is compacted (assuming that happens over time?). I'm going to try get the builder to come look at it. I wonder if something is blocked or if they forgot to insulate the vent.

In this cold weather you should be leaving your bathroom fan on for at least 30 mins after a hot shower to prevent the leaking. I installed these switches on all my bathroom fans which helps:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00313JXB0/..._BIkhEbSG9DXTY

[The Cosworth]

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ah, good to know. I've got an ecobee that defaults to 36% and my windows are a disaster.

FYI I tried the fan running a lot thing and bumped my frost control up. Ice everywhere. So I bumped mine back down to 4.

[Mitsu3000gt]

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In this cold weather you should be leaving your bathroom fan on for at least 30 mins after a hot shower to prevent the leaking. I installed these switches on all my bathroom fans which helps:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00313JXB0/..._BIkhEbSG9DXTY

Leaving the fan on after the shower makes the leaking/dripping a lot worse (faster and more water), so we have been turning it off about 5 minutes after showering and then it eventually stops, 10-15 min later or so. Also in case it's blocked, my thinking was it would be better not to suck a bunch of moisture up where it can't escape but I really don't know to be honest. It's the turning on of the fan that causes the dripping - if we don't run the fan it doesn't drip.

Good idea on the timer - that is probably something we should get regardless.

[Ca_Silvia13]

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Leaving the fan on after the shower makes the leaking/dripping a lot worse (faster and more water), so we have been turning it off about 5 minutes after showering and then it eventually stops, 10-15 min later or so. Also in case it's blocked, my thinking was it would be better not to suck a bunch of moisture up where it can't escape but I really don't know to be honest. It's the turning on of the fan that causes the dripping - if we don't run the fan it doesn't drip.

Good idea on the timer - that is probably something we should get regardless.

You more then likely have a lot of ice build up in your attic. The increase in air circulation and exhausting of warm air is melting the ice thus you get more drips. If this is a new house cash in that new home warranty man. That's not good.

[Mitsu3000gt]

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You more then likely have a lot of ice build up in your attic. The increase in air circulation and exhausting of warm air is melting the ice thus you get more drips. If this is a new house cash in that new home warranty man. That's not good.

Thanks I will get on it ASAP.

[lilmira]

Not much you can do about it without better windows when it's this cold. Assuming RH of 30% and room temperature at 20C, dew point is at 1.9C. If your sill is frosting, that means it's at 0C or less, so may the force be with you.

[benyl]

your issue is likely that the flap that stops cold air coming in is stuck open causing the moist air to condense and drip.

To get rid of your humidity, run your HRV, which I think is standard now, for longer periods or constantly. Mine runs every 20 minutes and keeps my humidity in check.

[firebane]

I have nothing in the house to tell me what the humidity is... but the switch is set to 45% and windows have no frost

[ExtraSlow]

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Thanks I will get on it ASAP.

Get a look up there for sure before it warms up. If you have any frost inside your attic, get it documented withyour warranty people ASAP. "Attic rain" in newer houses is a super common problem.

- - - Updated - - -

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I have nothing in the house to tell me what the humidity is... but the switch is set to 45% and windows have no frost

Sounds like you are winning at life. Hakuna Matata brother.

[benyl]

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Get a look up there for sure before it warms up. If you have any frost inside your attic, get it documented withyour warranty people ASAP. "Attic rain" in newer houses is a super common problem.

This is the same problem that happens when people put their Central Vacuums in a subzero garage. They take humid air from inside the house, suck it into a frozen canister and wonder why it is damaged from "ingesting" water.

[Mitsu3000gt]

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your issue is likely that the flap that stops cold air coming in is stuck open causing the moist air to condense and drip.

To get rid of your humidity, run your HRV, which I think is standard now, for longer periods or constantly. Mine runs every 20 minutes and keeps my humidity in check.

Hopefully it's that, rather than an attic full of ice haha. Is the HRV just my ventilation fan (the one for the house, not the bathroom)?

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Get a look up there for sure before it warms up. If you have any frost inside your attic, get it documented withyour warranty people ASAP. "Attic rain" in newer houses is a super common problem.

I think I can get them in by Wednesday, so it should still be absurdly cold when they come take a look and I should be able to easily demonstrate the issue.


EDIT: Just talked to the builder, they told me that they aren't allowed to put some sort of flap(?) on the exhaust fans anymore for hygiene reasons and the dripping is a common issue. They said everything is plastic for that reason so nothing can rot. They said to run the fan for minimum 20min after every shower (so the timer is a great idea). They are going to come look at it in 2 days regardless. They also said they have pictures of the attic and it's not going to be iced up. So hopefully it's all a minor issue.

[revelations]

The issue with low humidity is a common problem in cold climates:

- nasal membranes dry out (more chances of getting sick)
- dust floats in the air more readily (electrostatic charge) which also increases the total pollutant count
- skin drys out and cracks

I always aim for 40% in general - I swapped out the simple pad humidifier in the main house furnace to a drum and it immediately bumped % from 30 to 40%.

I also aim for 45-50% in the bedrooms. We have separate humidifer for each room.

It really does make a difference over the months.

Yes, our low-E, expensive windows still frost up but ill gladly deal with wiping off moisture on occasion, than dealing with being sick.