Condo tips

Condo tips is still under construction, with much more to be added. Please be sure to check back for more tips.

WiFi in your unit

If you are having difficulty getting a strong signal throughout your unit, consider getting a WiFi extender. This can be especially helpful if you have a WiFi-enabled front door lock and your WiFi router is at the opposite end of your condo. There are many choices, but a reasonably priced one that has been proven to work is this one.

Condensation

Appendix C: Window Condensation

 

With cold weather some residents are likely to experience window condensation problems.  It should be noted that this concern is hardly unique to Marina Condos but affects buildings worldwide during the winter.

 

The basic causes are simple to understand, but many different factors affect the relative severity of the problem.  Each homeowner needs to evaluate the specific factors in his or her home and adjust accordingly.

 

Below is a list of contributing factors and following that is a list of possible solutions (note that several factors, such as outside air temperature or metal windows are not easily changed).

 

Factors Contributing to Condensation

 

1.             Outdoor air temperature

2.             Exposure to sunlight

3.             Indoor moisture

4.             Indoor air temperature

5.             Window coverings (creating dead air pockets)

6.             Lack of air movement in room

7.             Steel or aluminum window frames

8.             Improperly closed windows

9.             Damaged or defective window

 

Steps to Minimize Moisture Condensation

 

Air Flow:

 

1.             Raise blinds, open curtains, keep window exposed to warmer, moving air

2.             Aim room air vents toward window to increase air flow

3.             Partially or completely close down vents in warmer rooms to force warm air into coldest rooms

4.             Use a small fan and aim at window to promote circulation

5.             Keep all doors in condo OPEN so circulating air can be drawn back to the furnace air intake

6.             Turn furnace for switch to “ON” for long periods to move air

7.             Move chairs, plants, furniture, art work so that air moves freely around windows and window sills.

8.             Make sure window is shut properly

9.             Repair window if needed (rarely needed)


Moisture:

 

1.             Install dehumidifier in room with worst condensation problems

2.             Run exhaust fan in bathroom during shower and twenty minutes after

3.             Do NOT use a humidifier anywhere in the condo

4.             Make sure dryer vent is secure to outside, not leaking moist air back into your home

5.             Minimize lengthy boiling/cooking which produces a lot of moisture

6.             Physically wipe off water from windows and sills each morning.

7.             Put dry cloth/towel on windowsills to catch water and reduce damage to woodwork

 

As you can see, many of these suggestions may interfere with your preferred lifestyle such as:

 

1.             Running fans or dehumidifiers increasing your energy costs.

2.             Raising furnace temperature increases energy costs.

3.             Running fans creates noise and or drafts which you may not want.

4.             Lowering humidity may bother those who prefer higher moisture levels for their sinuses, etc

5.             Opening blinds and curtains is an obvious compromise of privacy

6.             Moving furniture or other items to enhance air flow may compromise you preferred use of space or sense of design

7.             Daily wiping up windows or sills is an inconvenience.

Dog waste

Car-charging hints

Outgoing packages and mail

Accessing A/C decks

A/C decks are no longer locked. Should you or a repairman need to access your A/C compressor, just enter. However, the room is strictly to be used for that purpose and any items left in these rooms will be removed.

Accessing telecom rooms

Vacation checklist

LED replacements for halogen bulbs

Smoke detectors

✧✧✧ Check handbook for other ideas✧✧✧