In the medium to long term, condensation may cause mould and peel off the paint on the edges of your windows. The cures for condensation are heating (to keep surfaces above dew point temperature) and ventilation (to expel the warm, moisture-laden air to the outside).
One of the best solutions to condensation is to heat up your home. Central heating is a perfect way to heat your home and stop fluctuating temperatures that cause condensation.
Warm air is better able to hold moisture, so once this air begins to cool it cannot hold the moisture any longer and it turns into droplets of water.
The warmer the air, the more water and moisture it can hold. Therefore, heating can help with excessive damp because it increases the water-holding capacity of the air and makes it, as a result, less likely to become saturated.
The World Health Organisation guidelines suggest 21 degrees in a living room and 18 degrees in the bedrooms, falling lower at night and when you are out.
“The heating goes off and the house cools down. The water that has evaporated when it was warm had to go somewhere and it went into the atmosphere of the house. "As the house cools down the water condenses in areas that begin to get damp, which leads to mould.
Unfortunately, this is not a good idea during the heat peak hours. Opening the windows when the it is scorching hot we can get the opposite effect - instead of lowering the temperature we will increase it because the cool air from our rooms will be replaced by the hot air from the outside.
While heat does kill mold, this is not an effective way to deal with a problem at home. You need temperatures between 140°F and 160°F to kill mold, which might also start a fire.
Increasing the temperature in your room, particularly overnight and in the winter, will prevent the build-up of condensation on your windows and walls. This is because condensation occurs when water condenses on a cold surface.
Extreme temperatures do not kill mold, but they can deactivate them. Even when temperatures drop below freezing, mold spores don't die; they simply become dormant and will begin to multiply and grow again as soon as the temperature rises. That's why controlling the temperature alone will not solve your mold problems.
Removing condensation
For example, excess water can cause window seals to warp and loosen, while the excess damp can lead to mould and respiratory problems. Make a habit of removing window condensation first thing every morning — when it's at its worst.
In most cases, internal condensation issues occur because of too much humidity in the room or little to no air circulation. Low internal room temperatures can also create cold surfaces (particularly on windows) which allows warm air to condense onto them easily.
Opening the windows at night, when the outside air is at its lowest damp level, is key as you will release the warm, damp air inside and lower your home's humidity level. Keeping curtains open allows air to circulate against the window, which prevents condensation from forming.
Other forms of damp, such as rising damp, are more likely to worsen in rainy weather. By looking at it, you can usually identify what's generating the wetness. Other forms of moisture cause a stain mark to emerge on walls, ceilings, or floors, whereas condensation tends to produce patches of mould with soft edges.
As you might've guessed, opening windows can help reduce mold. Doing so lets excess moisture flow outside instead of settling on your walls, floors, and ceiling. Without the proper amount of moisture indoors, mold won't be able to grow. Opening windows can be helpful.
15 minutes is enough to air the house properly
A window open for 15 minutes is enough! That's it.
' Dr Fitzgerald states that opening the window from the top is better in winter, saying: 'This is because cold air is denser and heavier than warm air, so the cold air will come in and sink slowly to floor level. '
Sleeping with an open window can negatively impact your health as well. While cold air itself can't make you sick — colds and flus occur because germs overwhelm a person's immune system — it can potentially dry out nasal cavities, resulting in increased mucus production and a possible sinus infection.
Dehumidifiers seem to be the obvious way of reducing humidity, removing condensation, stopping walls becoming damp and preventing mould. But a more effective solution is to give your home a small but consistent background movement of fresh air. This will help keep your home feeling fresher, healthier and mould free.
1. Ventilate your Home. Making sure your house is well ventilated is one of the most important steps you can take to reduce condensation. This can easily be achieved by opening windows or window trickle vents to allow moist air to move out of the building lowering the chance of condensation occurring.
Ceiling Fan For Air Circulation
You can also reduce the condensation on your windows by circulating air using ceiling fans. Rotating the fan in a clockwise direction can push the warm air off the ceiling back down to the floor.
Opening the cold room door can cause temporary fluctuations in the internal temperature that may lead to condensation appearing. This is normal.
Blinds can't cause condensation due to the fact they do not produce moisture or heat.
Most of the time, moisture on your windows is a matter of temperature and humidity. When the air is hotter and more humid on one side of the glass, moisture collects on the window panes. In winter, condensation can form on the interior of your windows because it's cold and dry outside but warm and humid inside.