I live in a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo in Colorado that's from the 80s. Unfortunately, neither bathroom has an exhaust to the outside or any windows. Both are located in the center of the condo with neighbors on either side and have standard short ceilings, while the surrounding areas have angled vaulted ceilings, which complicates any ductwork. I don't have access to an attic or roof either.
Currently, I'm using a small plug-in dehumidifier and keep the master bathroom door open during steam, but I can't do that for the guest bathroom since it opens into a common hallway. The ceiling fans in both bathrooms only move air around and don't help much with moisture. I'm really stumped and looking for advice on ways to ventilate without ducts, windows, or exterior walls. Is it even acceptable to consider venting into the master bedroom or hallway? Would a more powerful recirculating fan help? My neighbors seem to have adapted to the humidity, but I'd like a more permanent solution for my situation.
3 Answers
Just a heads up, those plug-in dehumidifiers aren’t very effective. I found a helpful video from Technology Connections that explains it well. You might want to look into a better dehumidifier option!
You might want to hire a pro to install some proper exhaust fans. If your condo has an HOA, they could have rules about that kind of work, so make sure to check. In the meantime, consider investing in larger dehumidifiers—they can really make a difference!
Do you have a gas water heater, furnace, or a kitchen vent? Sometimes those can be tapped for exhaust, but it sounds like you might have a baseboard heating system instead, which makes it trickier.
No, I don't have any of those. I just have a boiler system for heating, and my stove is electric with a microwave vent.
I totally get that! I doubt the HOA would be thrilled about exterior changes, especially since you don’t have attic access for an installer. Sounds like you're aiming for a more permanent fix, which is definitely tricky.