Thursday, March 24, 2011

Electric Heat

Electrically heated homes may experience a higher level of indoor humidity because of a lack of a chimney, and therefore, have lower rates of air exchange. Also, since the heat is only dispersed primarily through natural convection it's dispersal can be uneven. The uneven heating through an electric heater can cause cool spots to occur, possibly dropping temperatures to below dew point at some areas, creating condensation.

Make sure your dryer and bathroom fans vent to the outside, that you cover your pots with lids when cooking, and take shorter showers as needed. Eliminate any sources of moisture in the basement and crawl space. In more air-tight houses you may need to partially open a window at times, or add a dehumidifier. Placement of fans or adding a ventilation system to allow forced convection can speed heat flow and help equalize heat in the adjoining rooms, helping to prevent cold spots and condensation from occurring.

When purchasing a home with electric heat check the rooms for any signs of mold and mildew. A likely spot for mold growth is the attic.