In colder climates, instead of using the exhaust fan to clear the steam after a shower, open your bathroom door. The rest of the house can benefit from the moisture and heat the steam, and you will not be not sucking heat out of your home via the fan. If you take a bath, leave the water in the tub until it cools completely. It will add heat to the home for a little while, and again, you get the added moisture in the air.
Most mold comes not only from moisture, but from poor air circulation, leaving the dampness in one place. To displace the dampness in our bathroom, we use a small fan after our baths/showers. It uses little electricity and completely dries the tub enclosure. We have no mold or mildew around our tub. And the added humidity is welcome during the winter months.
By
12/11/2007
If you live an older home with poor insulation do be careful as too much moisture can lead to mold on the walls. We have a hard time keeping moisture down in our fixer upper.