By the time August arrives in Ottawa, most homes have had the air conditioning running for weeks or months. Windows stay closed more often, the humidity outside is still high, and day after day, you’re recirculating the same indoor air.
It’s no surprise a lot of people tell us:
- “The house feels stuffy, even when it’s cool.”
- “There’s a lingering smell I can’t quite find.”
- “It feels humid and heavy inside, especially in the basement.”
- “I’m not sure if the air in here is really fresh anymore.”
That’s all about indoor air quality—not just temperature.
At Noah’s Home Comfort, we help homeowners look beyond “Is it cool enough?” and focus on how the air feels, smells, and behaves in late summer. In this blog, we’ll talk about indoor air quality in August: why homes can start to feel stale, how humidity and odours play a role, and what we look at—ventilation, dehumidification, filtration, and simple daily habits—to help your home feel fresh again.
Why Indoor Air Quality Feels Worse in August
Indoor air quality can be an issue any time of year, but August creates a perfect storm of conditions in many Ottawa homes:
- Windows and doors stay closed to keep the cool in.
- AC runs often, but that doesn’t automatically mean you’re getting fresh air.
- Outdoor humidity is still high, and moisture can find its way inside.
- Cooking, cleaning, showers, pets, and everyday living add odours and pollutants to the air.
Over time, all of that builds up. The home might technically be cool, but it can still feel:
- Stale
- Humid
- Slightly “off” in odour
- Heavy or stuffy
The good news is that there are practical, step-by-step ways to improve this—many of which we can help with directly.
Step 1: Understand the Role of Humidity in Indoor Comfort
Humidity is one of the biggest reasons air feels “bad” in late summer. Even if your thermostat says 22–24°C, you might still feel uncomfortable if the humidity is too high.
How High Humidity Affects Comfort
When indoor humidity is elevated, you might notice:
- The air feels heavy or sticky.
- You’re sweating but not cooling off properly.
- Your skin feels damp and clothes don’t fully dry between wears.
- Certain rooms, especially basements, smell musty.
High humidity can also contribute to:
- Condensation on cool surfaces
- Potential mould growth in problem areas
- A general “old basement smell,” even in finished spaces
In late summer, AC systems do remove some moisture, but they’re not always able to fully manage humidity, especially if:
- The system is oversized and short-cycles.
- There is a lot of moisture entering the home from outside or from daily activities.
- The basement or crawlspace has its own humidity challenges.
We often start by assessing how humid the home really is, and how that compares to what your cooling system can manage.
Step 2: Dehumidification Options for Late Summer
If humidity is a recurring problem, especially in August, we look at dehumidification as part of the indoor air quality solution.
Standalone and Whole-Home Dehumidification
Depending on how your home is set up, we may talk about:
- Standalone dehumidifiers for basements or specific areas
- Whole-home dehumidification, integrated with your existing ductwork and system
Our goal is to:
- Keep humidity within a comfortable and safe range, typically around 30–50% in many homes (the exact target depends on your home’s characteristics).
- Reduce that damp, musty feeling in lower levels.
- Support your AC so it doesn’t have to work as hard to handle both temperature and moisture on its own.
Everyday Habits That Help With Humidity
In addition to equipment, we also suggest small daily changes, such as:
- Using bathroom exhaust fans during and after showers.
- Running kitchen exhaust when cooking, especially when boiling or frying.
- Avoiding drying clothes indoors without proper ventilation.
- Keeping basement windows closed on very humid days to avoid bringing in more moisture.
These practices support your mechanical systems and help keep indoor humidity under control.
Step 3: Tackling Lingering Odours in a Closed-Up House
Odours are one of the most obvious signs that indoor air isn’t as fresh as it could be.
Common sources include:
- Cooking smells that hang around
- Pet odours
- Damp or “earthy” smells from basements or storage rooms
- Garbage and recycling areas
- Strong cleaning products or fragrances
When the house is closed up for cooling, these smells can linger and mix, making the air feel stale.
How We Approach Odour Issues
When a homeowner tells us they’re noticing persistent odours, we try to separate:
- Surface-level causes – like a specific area with a spill, damp carpet, or garbage issue
- System-level causes – like limited ventilation, poor filtration, or moisture problems
From an HVAC and plumbing perspective, we may:
- Inspect the basement, utility rooms, and mechanical areas for sources of moisture or leaks.
- Look at the condition of air filters—dirty filters can hold dust and odours.
- Check for standing water in condensate drains or other improper drainage.
If we do find a plumbing issue, leak, or mechanical-related moisture problem, addressing that is an important part of improving odours and air quality.
Step 4: Addressing Stale Air With Better Ventilation
One of the main reasons air feels stale in August is that fresh outdoor air isn’t coming in very often.
Your central AC system:
- Recirculates indoor air
- Cools and sometimes dehumidifies it
- Does not automatically pull in fresh outdoor air unless your home has dedicated ventilation equipment
To improve stale air, we look at ventilation, which can include:
- Existing bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans
- Whole-home ventilation systems (like HRVs/ERVs if your home has them)
- How often and how effectively these systems are being used
Using Exhaust Fans Properly
We often find that bathroom and kitchen fans are:
- Not used long enough
- No longer performing properly
- Very noisy, so people avoid using them
We recommend:
- Running bathroom fans during showers and for 15–20 minutes afterwards to pull moist air out.
- Using kitchen range hoods while cooking, especially when generating steam or strong odours.
- Checking the performance of older fans to ensure they are still moving air effectively.
Whole-Home Ventilation (If You Have It)
If your home has a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or energy recovery ventilator (ERV), we can:
- Check that it’s operating correctly.
- Review settings and schedules with you.
- Explain how it works alongside your AC to bring in controlled fresh air without wasting too much energy.
If you’re not sure whether you have whole-home ventilation equipment, we can help identify it during a visit.
Step 5: Don’t Forget About Air Filters and Air Movement
Filters might not seem exciting, but they’re a big part of how your home handles dust, particles, and some odours.
Choosing and Maintaining Filters
We can help you:
- Choose the right type of filter for your system—balancing filtration with proper airflow.
- Set up a regular schedule for checking and changing filters, especially during peak cooling months.
Dirty filters can:
- Restrict air movement
- Make systems work harder
- Allow more dust and debris to collect on coils and inside ductwork
- Contribute to musty smells and stale air
Keeping filters in good shape is one of the simplest and most effective indoor air quality tasks.
Using Your Fan Settings to Help Circulate Air
In some homes, using the fan-only setting on your thermostat (set to “On” instead of “Auto” for certain periods) can help:
- Circulate air between floors
- Mix cooler and warmer areas
- Pass air more frequently through filters
We can help you decide when and how to use this setting so you get the benefits without unnecessary energy waste.
Step 6: Basements, Stale Air, and Musty Smells
Basements are often the first place homeowners notice humidity and stale air in August.
Common signs include:
- A “musty” smell when you first walk downstairs
- Cool, damp air that doesn’t feel truly comfortable
- Condensation on cold surfaces or pipes
When we assess a basement for air quality concerns, we look at:
- Humidity levels and potential moisture sources (slab, walls, plumbing, sump pits)
- Air circulation – Are there supply and return vents? Are they open?
- Whether the basement is included in the main AC distribution design or more of an afterthought
From there, we may:
- Recommend dehumidification (portable or integrated).
- Suggest improvements to airflow and duct setup.
- Check for plumbing or drainage issues that may be contributing to dampness.
When basement air improves, the whole house often feels better, especially if your HVAC system is pulling air from lower levels and distributing it elsewhere.
Step 7: Small Everyday Habits That Support Better Indoor Air Quality
Alongside mechanical solutions, simple everyday habits can have a big impact on how your home feels in August:
- Empty garbage and recycling frequently, especially organics.
- Avoid strong artificial air fresheners that mask odours without solving the cause.
- Keep an eye on pet areas, litter boxes, and soft surfaces that can hold smells.
- Use exhaust fans consistently in bathrooms and the kitchen.
- Don’t block supply and return vents with furniture or stored items.
When we visit, we’re happy to point out practical changes that fit your lifestyle and support what your HVAC and plumbing systems are doing behind the scenes.
How We Help Improve Indoor Air Quality in Late Summer
When you call us about humid, stale, or smelly air in August, we don’t just say “open a window.” We look at the whole picture:
- Your cooling system – Is it working properly? Is it oversized or short-cycling?
- Your humidity levels – Are they in a comfortable range?
- Your ventilation – Are fans and any whole-home systems being used and maintained properly?
- Your filters and ductwork – Are they supporting or fighting against air quality?
- Your basement and mechanical areas – Are there hidden moisture or odour sources?
Then we:
- Explain what we’re seeing in plain language.
- Prioritize changes, starting with the most impactful, realistic steps for your home and budget.
- Offer options for both immediate improvement and longer-term upgrades if needed.
Our goal is for your home to feel fresh, comfortable, and healthy, not just “cool enough.”
Call to Action
If your home feels humid, stale, or full of lingering odours this August, we’d be happy to help you get to the bottom of it.
Call Noah’s Home Comfort at (343) 227-6992 or email info@noahhomecomfort.com to schedule an indoor air quality and comfort assessment. We’ll look at your humidity levels, ventilation, filtration, and cooling system, then recommend practical steps to keep your Ottawa home feeling fresh, comfortable, and welcoming, no matter how long the AC has been running.
