The common method to reduce the risk of mold in winter is the interaction between
By introducing low level heating, the temperature of internal surfaces will rise and will reduce cooling of any moisture-laden air, as a result, the amount of condensation. Ideally, low level background heating should be continuous, as any short bursts of heat may not result in a suitable rise in surface temperatures.
Indoor relative humidity should be kept below 60 percent, ideally between 30 to 50 percent, if possible. As for temperature, mold grows best between 77° F and 86° F. If you keep the temperature in your house in the comfort range around 70° F, you should not have a mold problem.
The Impact of Heat and Humidity on Mold
The simple answer is yes. High temperatures (around 140 to 160° Fahrenheit) can deactivate mold spores and prevent them from spreading. However, the idea that heat can effectively be an at-home DIY mold solution is inaccurate.
High Humidity: Cold air holds less moisture than warm air. If the indoor temperature is low, any moisture present (from cooking, bathing, or even breathing) can condense on cold surfaces, leading to higher humidity levels conducive to mold growth.
Heating systems in buildings, when not appropriately managed, can lead to uneven heating and hotspots that might contribute to mold growth by creating favorable conditions in unexpected areas, especially when paired with other factors like high indoor humidity.
Boiling water can kill mold outright (more on this in the next section), but you can't exactly boil your walls or carpet. However, you may be able to kill mold by heating it enough to dry it out. Most molds can be killed at temperatures of 140 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, but the effect isn't immediate.
Molds require oxygen, but not light, for growth. Mold growth can continue indefinitely without light.
You don't want to spend your time indoors battling mold when you can be outside enjoying the sunshine or hanging out with friends. You aren't wrong. Mold does grow more easily in the spring, late summer, and late fall months. Here's your guide to mold in the summer months.
Mold hates light. Other than moisture there's nothing mold loves more than dark places. An easy prevention against mold growth is opening your blinds and shades. If it's warm enough out, open the windows.
Mould thrives in damp areas such as windows, where there is dust, dirt or organic material, that's why the number one way to reduce mould is to open your windows regularly. By opening the windows at least once a day, this allows the mould spores to escape and lets patches of moisture dry out.
In general, it's recommended to set your thermostat to 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. This may seem high compared to the freezing point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but it'll help keep the interior of the floor and wall cavities – where your plumbing is often located – safely above freezing temperatures.
The ONLY way to permanently protect your collections from mold is to control the environment by keeping the temperature within 65°-70° Fahrenheit and the relative humidity within 45%-65%. Prevention is the key but if you do experience a mold outbreak there are non-chemical means for clean-up and recovery.
Yes, in some cases, heating can help to reduce dampness and improve air circulation, thus helping to reduce the amount of moisture in the air. The best way to reduce dampness is to identify and eliminate the source of the moisture, such as fixing plumbing leaks or using a dehumidifier to reduce humidity levels.
Cold, damp air promotes mold growth in many additional outdoor locations during this time of year as well. Mold thrives in dead vegetation and is not killed by winter frosts.
You can even leave the bathroom door open slightly to prevent that humid air from getting trapped. Improving ventilation is key to sending mold spores packing before they proliferate.
Heat treatment kills existing mold but doesn't address the root cause of mold growth: moisture. To prevent mold from returning, you must control humidity levels in your home. Use dehumidifiers, fix leaks promptly, and ensure proper ventilation in high-moisture areas.
(2010), molds take significantly longer to germinate at 19 °C compared with 25.5 °C on building materials that are sensitive to mold growth [1]. Therefore, maintaining a low temperature has been widely believed to be effective at preventing indoor mold contamination.
This reduction in water content creates conditions unfavourable for mould to thrive. However, turning on your heating system will not completely eradicate a severe mould problem.
Ventilation fans are the best way to prevent mold build up inside a home. Think about it: what happens when a home has a flood? Typically, a water damage expert will be called in and the first thing they do is bring in ventilation fans to dry out the moisture and wetness inside the home.
Cold rooms especially are often rarely visited by homeowners, but contain a damp, dark and cold environment that allow mold to flourish. Many people only consider mold growth following a water leak or flooding, but mold can grow anywhere, anytime in areas of your home that are damp and cold.