Beat the Heat: Handling Ottawa Humidity in Your Apartment Rental

Introduction

Ottawa summers are beautiful, but they can also be hot and humid, especially in July and August. If you’re living in an apartment rental, managing the heat and humidity effectively can make a world of difference in keeping you comfortable and protecting your home (and its contents!) safe from moisture-related issues.

At CLV Group, we want to help you make the most of summer living. Here are our top tips for keeping your apartment cool, dry, and fresh when the Ottawa humidity spikes.

1. Use Your A/C Efficiently

If your apartment has air conditioning or an ac unit, use it strategically:

Close windows and draw blinds while the A/C is on to prevent hot, humid air from entering.

Set the thermostat to a consistent temperature (22–24°C is optimal).

Clean or replace A/C filters regularly to ensure airflow and energy efficiency.

CLV Tip: Many CLV-managed apartments are beautifully restored buildings without ac (it’s part of their charm!). Most of our residents opt to use ac units in the summer months – check with your property manager for details!

2. Invest in a Dehumidifier

Humidity can cause condensation, musty smells, and even mold if not managed. A portable dehumidifier can pull moisture out of the air and make your apartment feel cooler without lowering the actual temperature. Plus, dehumidifiers (and drier air) have been shown to help those with allergies and breathing troubles.

Place one:

In your bedroom or living room

Near closets or bathrooms

Anywhere with limited airflow

3. Ventilate After Cooking or Showering

Daily activities like boiling water or taking a hot shower can add significant humidity indoors. Many of these heat-inducing tasks are unavoidable, so we’ve listed a few ways to combat their impacts:

Use exhaust fans if available.

Open bathroom or kitchen windows briefly to vent steam.

Wipe down wet surfaces quickly to avoid lingering dampness.

4. Block Out Direct Sunlight

Sunlight can heat up your apartment fast, especially in south- or west-facing units. A little sun goes a long way – it can also cause photos, art, blankets, and decor to fade when directly in its path.

Try:

Blackout curtains or thermal blinds

Apartment safe reflective window film

Keeping blinds closed during peak sunlight hours (11 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

5. Add Houseplants that Combat Humidity

Surprisingly, some indoor plants can help absorb moisture from the air! Some of these powerful plants include:

English ivy

Peace lilies

Boston ferns

Spider plants

Not only do they help with humidity, but they also purify the air and add natural decor to your space.

6. Avoid Drying Clothes Indoors

Did you know that hanging wet laundry inside your unit can raise humidity levels quickly? If you don’t have in-unit laundry or prefer to hang dry, consider:

Using the shared dryers in your building

Hanging items outdoors if you have a balcony or patio

Ensuring good ventilation if drying indoors is necessary; consider a standup fan or briefly opening windows

7. Keep the Air Flowing

Even without central air, simple solutions like oscillating fans and cross-breeze windows can dramatically improve comfort – especially when combined with the strategies above.