Grand Design Imagine, Owner'S Manual

Page: 46 / 180

44
Occupant Safety
In hot weather, start the air conditioner early as it removes
excess humidity from the air while lowering the temperature.
• Manage the inside temperature during cold weather.
The higher inside temperature along with colder out-
side temperatures will cause condensation to form on
areas that are not insulated as well as others (win-
dows, vents, wall studs, etc.).
• Use a fan to keep air circulating inside the vehicle
so condensation and mildew cannot form in dead air
spaces. Allow air to circulate inside closets and cab-
inets (leave doors partially open) so the temperature
inside the cabinets the same as in the rest of the
unit. Please keep in mind that a closed cabinet full
of stored goods prevents circulation and can cause
condensation.
The natural tendency would be to close the RV tightly during
cold weather. This will actually compound the problem. Sim-
ply put, you need to get the moisture in the air that is created
from normal use outside. The most effective way is utilizing
your vents and vent fans.
Where there is moisture, there may be mold
Molds are microscopic organisms that naturally occur in
virtually every environment, indoors and out. Outdoors, mold
growth is important in the decomposition of plants. Left un-
checked, molds break down natural materials such as wood
products and fabrics.
According to the Center for Disease Control, exposure to
damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health
defects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds.
For these people, molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat
irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation or, in some cas-
es, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more
severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and those
with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease,
may get serious infections in their lungs when they are ex-
posed to mold.
For mold growth to occur temperatures must be between 40
degrees and 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and there must be a
source of moisture such as humidity, standing water, damp
materials, etc. Indoors, the most rapid growth occurs with
warm and humid conditions.