How Clarington is built
- Before 1961 12%
- 1961–1990 32%
- 1991–2000 20%
- 2001 or later 36%
Why Clarington homes get humidity problems
Clarington gets about 3,931 heating degree-days a year and has a winter design temperature of −19.4°C, according to NRCan's HOT2000 climate data for Cobourg, the closest comparable location in that data set (40 km away). On Clarington's coldest days, window glass and poorly insulated corners get cold enough for condensation at humidity levels that feel normal indoors, so winter humidity needs to stay at the lower end of the comfortable range.
Of Clarington's 33,120 houses (single-detached, semi-detached, row houses and duplexes), 12% were built before 1961 and 45% before 1991, according to the 2021 Census. Newer houses (36% of Clarington's were built since 2001) are tight and usually have an HRV or ERV that needs balancing and cleaning. Older houses that get air-sealed can lose the accidental ventilation they used to rely on.
What the assessment measures
- Relative humidity in living areas and the basement.
- Actual airflow from bath and kitchen fans, and whether they vent outside rather than into the attic.
- How much fresh air the house gets, and whether an HRV or ERV is balanced.
Related tests in Clarington
NRCan-licensed service organizations serving Clarington
Advisors assess ventilation and humidity as part of an evaluation and check that exhaust fans actually vent outside. Sizing an HRV or ERV may be extra.
Only assessments from the seven HRSP-approved organizations qualify for the $600 Home Renovation Savings rebate and its assessment-path upgrade rebates; each listing below says whether it's one of them.
- Acacia Engineering HRSP-approved: No
- Air Barrier Canada HRSP-approved: No
- All Season Inspection HRSP-approved: No Profile
- AmeriSpec HRSP-approved: Yes Profile
- Clean Energy Solutions HRSP-approved: No
- CoEfficient Building Science HRSP-approved: No
- Ecostep Energy Services HRSP-approved: No
- Energy Werx HRSP-approved: Yes Profile
- EnerQuality HRSP-approved: No
- EnerSolution HRSP-approved: No Profile
- Engreen Home HRSP-approved: No
- Green Canada Home Advisors HRSP-approved: No Profile
- Green Think HRSP-approved: No
- Greenbrain HRSP-approved: Yes Profile
- Sensible Home Inspections HRSP-approved: No
- The Energuy HRSP-approved: Yes Profile
- Verdatech Energy Management and Consulting HRSP-approved: No
- Windfall Ecology Centre HRSP-approved: No Non-profit network Profile
- GETS Energy HRSP-approved: No
- Enercare Home and Commercial Services HRSP-approved: No
- Enerhome Consulting HRSP-approved: No
Programs in Clarington
Ventilation and humidity assessment in Clarington: common questions
HRV or ERV?
Both bring in fresh air and recover heat. An ERV also transfers some moisture, which helps keep very dry winter air from getting drier; an HRV suits houses that tend to run humid.
Why did condensation appear after we got new windows?
Tighter windows cut accidental air leakage, so humidity builds up. The fix is usually controlled ventilation, not leakier windows.
Is a ventilation assessment part of an EnerGuide evaluation in Clarington?
Advisors assess ventilation and humidity during the evaluation; HRV or ERV sizing may be an extra service.