Cold weather and warm homes are a recipe for disaster – or condensation to be more precise. We’ve all woken up on a winter’s morning and opened the curtains to discover our windows are soaked in water. Moisture in homes is the perfect environment for mould and damp to fester, so here are seven more ways to reduce condensation in your home.
Insulate
Double glazing, draught proofing and loft insulation all help to trap heat inside your home, keeping a constant warm temperature. This will stop moisture condensing on surfaces such as windows
Constant Temperature
Ensure the temperature in your home is constant. Extreme changes in temperature between hot and cold will encourage moisture laden air to condense. Keep your thermostat at a regular temperature and time your heating to come on during colder times of the day.
Don’t Overfill Storage
Don’t overfill your wardrobes or kitchen cupboards. A lack of ventilation and trapped warm air will encourage damp and mould to grow due to a lack of circulation. Also ensure furniture is at least 50mm away from walls so air can move around the property freely.
Adequate Ventilation
Ventilating a property properly is essential to allow air containing moisture to escape before it becomes condensation. Heat recovery ventilators are great for replacing moisture laden air from inside with fresh, warmed air from outside. They can be placed in areas which suffer from high levels of condensation. A number of companies stock heat recovery ventilators, such as https://www.restorationuk.com/condensation-products/single-room-heat-recovery-ventilators/product/kair-heat-recovery-room-ventilator-k-hrv150.
Wipe Down Surfaces
Always wipe down surfaces in rooms where high levels of moisture are created. Cooking in the kitchen and showering will cover your surfaces with water. Use a towel to wipe away any excess water and reduce the moisture in that room.
Consider House Pets and Plants
Many families have pets and plants that all produce moisture. Fish tanks should have a cover to avoid water evaporation and if condensation continues to be a problem, move plants outdoors.
Open Windows
When we sleep we exhale an incredible amount of moisture. Mould is most likely to occur in warm bedrooms, so open a window if you continue to experience condensation in your bedroom. An open window will regulate the temperature in the room while allowing fresh air to circulate.