June officially marks the beginning of summer and with it, the next several months of warmer weather. While most of us have been anticipating the return of barbeques and outdoor activities, it is important to remember the impact of higher temperatures and humidity on your home.
A high level of humidity in your home can cause damage to the paint on walls and wood furniture finishes. Moisture on surfaces, particularly those in hard to reach places, can harbour bacteria and become mould or mildew. Such situations can cause health hazards in adults and children, especially those with allergies.
While there is no easy way to prevent high heat and humidity, there are several inexpensive practices that can help keep us cooler and more comfortable.
- Turn on the bathroom fan or open a window when showering – This can direct steam and moisture from the bathroom and prevent it from entering the rest of the house.
- Use range hood fans when cooking – This allows for steam from boiling water and heat from cooking to be directed outside.
- Change ceiling fans to summer settings – In the warmer months, fans can be set to a counter-clockwise direction that blows the air down, keeping spaces cooler. You may also want to switch to a slightly faster speed than you would use for the winter setting.
- Close drapes – Sun shining into windows can warm a room quickly. By drawing the drapes, you can reduce temperatures inside your house.
- Close windows – If it is warmer outside than it is inside, windows can be closed to keep heat from entering your house.
- Dry clothes outdoors – If you can, take advantage of the opportunity to use the warm summer breezes to dry your clothes, as indoor dryers can increase humidity.
- Use dehumidifiers – This is a great way to rid the moisture in the air and minimize humidity, especially in basements and other areas prone to dampness.
At Scotia Fuels, we continue to look out for our customers’ home comfort – even when it doesn’t involve home heating oil. And while we are using our furnaces very little, the summer provides a great time to have our furnaces cleaned and inspected to ensure optimal performance when it counts!
Not yet a Scotia Fuels customer? We’d be happy to talk to you. Contact our local specialists at (902) 453-2121 or visit us at https://scotiafuels.com/contact-us/. We’ll schedule a complimentary furnace and tank inspection.