I've done the passive vent thing too, and it does help—but honestly, I found it wasn't enough on its own in older houses. Had one flip where the humidity was just relentless, especially in the bathrooms. Ended up installing a humidity-sensing exhaust fan, and man, that thing was a lifesaver. It kicks on automatically when moisture levels spike, so tenants don't even have to think about it. Sometimes tech solutions beat the subtle stuff...just my two cents.
I hear you about the humidity-sensing fans—they sound pretty handy. I haven't tried those yet, but honestly, I've had decent luck with something simpler. In my first renovation (old 1940s bungalow), I went a bit old-school and installed a larger window with a tilt-open top in the bathroom. It wasn't automatic or anything fancy, but it allowed for tons of airflow when cracked open after showers. Definitely noticed less mold and musty smells afterward.
Not saying it's better than the humidity-sensing fan—just that sometimes low-tech solutions can surprise you. Plus, there's something comforting about knowing there's one less electrical component to worry about breaking down later...especially if you're like me and still figuring out all this renovation stuff as you go.
I get the appeal of keeping things simple—honestly, sometimes the best solutions are the ones that don't involve complicated tech. I've seen plenty of bathrooms where a well-placed window or even a skylight made a huge difference in humidity control. Plus, natural ventilation just feels fresher somehow, doesn't it?
That said, I've worked on a few projects where windows weren't really an option (think apartments or interior bathrooms without exterior walls), and that's when those humidity-sensing fans really shine. They're pretty reliable these days, and clients seem to appreciate not having to remember to flip switches or open windows every time they shower. But yeah, I totally agree about the comfort factor of fewer electrical components—less stuff to break down later is always a win in my book.
One thing I've noticed though: even with good ventilation, some bathrooms still struggle with moisture buildup because of poor insulation or cold surfaces. Ever notice how condensation loves to form on cold tile walls or mirrors? Sometimes addressing insulation or even choosing warmer materials can help reduce humidity issues too.
Curious if anyone's experimented with heated mirrors or towel racks? I've had mixed feedback from clients—some swear by them for reducing moisture and fogging, others think they're just fancy gimmicks. I'm still on the fence myself...
I've actually installed heated mirrors in a couple of bathrooms and have to say, they're not bad at all. Clients who love hot showers (you know, the ones who practically turn the bathroom into a sauna...) really appreciate them. They do keep the mirror clear, which is nice if you're shaving or doing makeup right after showering. But honestly, for general humidity reduction, they're probably not going to make a huge difference overall.
"Sometimes addressing insulation or even choosing warmer materials can help reduce humidity issues too."
This is spot-on. I've seen bathrooms dramatically improve just by swapping out cold ceramic tiles for materials like vinyl plank or cork flooring—warmer surfaces mean less condensation buildup. Also, if you're renovating anyway, adding insulation behind exterior-facing walls makes a noticeable difference. It's one of those behind-the-scenes fixes that's totally worth it.
Heated towel racks though...yeah, I'm with you—still not sure if they're genuinely helpful or just a luxury item that's nice to have but doesn't solve much practically. Maybe someone else has had better luck with those?
I've tried heated towel racks in a couple bathrooms, and honestly, they're nice for warm towels but don't really help humidity-wise. Better off investing in a decent exhaust fan upgrade or tweaking airflow...makes a bigger difference overall.
