Condensation forms in your home when warm air collides with cold surfaces, or when the humidity levels are too high. Condensation is water from the air that collects as droplets on cold surfaces when humid air comes into contact with it. It is especially common in winter, when your central heating system comes on in the cooler hours of the mornings and evenings.
While condensation itself isn’t a problem, if you do not treat it, it can cause damp patches to form where mould can grow. Not only can this damage the fabric of your home and make it unwelcoming, mould can be very bad for your health - especially if you have underlying respiratory, allergic, or immune system problems.
If you are seeing lots of condensation in your home and are worrying about it developing into damp, a free home survey by one of our local ventilation specialists can help you get to the bottom of your problem.
Ways to Reduce Condensation in your Home
1. Use Pan Lids When Cooking
Use a lid to cover your pans when cooking ensure to reduce the amount of moisture that is released into the air when water is boiling. Also, ensure you are using an extractor hood if you have one above the cooker or an extractor fan if you have one installed, these are designed to help reduce moisture created when cooking.
Remember, don’t turn off your extractor fan as soon as you finish cooking as the moisture can still be in the air even after you have finished, instead leave it on afterwards for 10-15 minutes to help to clear the humid air. Many modern extractor fans such as the EnviroVent Cyclone 7 feature intelligent humidity sensors which speed up when you start boiling water and slow down once humidity levels have returned to normal.
2. Close Kitchen & Bathroom Doors
Bathrooms and kitchens are the worst main sources of the water vapour that creates condensation on windows throughout your home. When cooking food, boiling the kettle, or taking a bath or shower, ensure that your kitchen or bathroom door is kept closed to prevent the moisture in the air from going into colder rooms where it will form condensation when it touches a cold surface.
3. Dry Clothes Outdoors
As much as possible you should try to dry your clothes outdoors to prevent excess moisture from building up in your property - just think how heavy wet clothes and towels are, all that moisture will evaporate into the warm air of your home. If you are unable to dry your clothes outdoor then keep them in a bathroom with the door closed and windows open until the clothes are fully dry.
4. Turn on Your Extractor Fan When Using Your Shower
Similar to when cooking in the kitchen, when you are taking a shower or having a bath you should be sure to turn on your extractor fan to remove steam and moisture as soon as it is created. This is expecially important if the temperature in your home is low. This will help reduce the amount of condensation that appears on your bathroom windows and walls.
5. Ensure That Washing Machine Is Correctly Vented
If you have a tumble dryer or washing machine inside your home, ensure that it is vented correctly. From just one load of washing two litres of water is emitted into the air, this effect is only magnified if the machine is fitted in a kitchen as cooking will only add to the condensation.
6. Move Furniture Away from External Walls
You should avoid putting furniture too close to external walls as it affects airflow and creates pockets where damp and mould can develop. Make sure that your furniture is at least 50mm away from the surrounding walls to improve the air circulation around the property. Try to ensure that wardrobes are placed against internal walls in your bedroom as these will be less cold than external walls and less likely to cause damp and mould problems.
7. Install an Extractor Fan
Adequate ventilation is essential to allow the moisture to escape from a property before it turns into condensation. Installing an energy-efficient extractor fan in the kitchen and bathroom can improve the humidity levels and prevent condensation.
An alternative approach would be to have a whole house ventilation system installed in your home, ATMOS® is a Positive Input Ventilation System that can reduce moisture levels in your home and stop condensation for good.
8. Open Windows When Weather Outside Is Warmer
If you use a room on a regular basis, such as a living room and the weather is not cold outside, open a window slightly to improve the ventilation in the room. Breathing is one of the main causes of condensation so this will help to improve the ventilation in your property.
9. Wipe Down Cold Surfaces
If you don’t have an extractor fan in your bathroom or kitchen then make sure that you wipe down any cold surfaces when you have been cooking or taking a shower to remove any moisture that may have settled on the surface. This excess moisture in the air sits on the surface and will quickly turn to mould if left untreated.
10. Ensure Your Property Has Adequate Heating
Ensuring an adequate amount of heating in your property will improve the internal temperature of surfaces in the house and reduce the likelihood of condensation. Also, make sure your home is energy efficient by ensuring you have insulated walls and double-glazed windows installed so the heat doesn't escape from the property.
11. Don't Overfill Wardrobes & Cupboards
Do not overfill your wardrobes or kitchen cupboards. A lack of ventilation and air moisture trapped in warm overfilled cupboards can become a breeding ground for mould as the air cannot circulate freely inside. You may notice a musty smell or find that clothes have a damp feeling to them which is a sure sign that the cupboard is overfilled.
12. Stop Using Portable Gas & Paraffin Heaters
Portable gas bottles and paraffin heaters produce a lot of moisture, along with a lot of toxic fumes. Not only is this form of heat causing excess condensation in your property, it is also a health and safety hazard which is stated in most tenancy agreements as not allowed in rented flats.
13. Install Double Glazing, Loft & Wall Insulation
Double glazing, loft insulation and draft proofing will help to reduce the amount of heat that is lost from a property. Installing insulation will help to keep the temperature of the surfaces inside your property at a higher level while making your home more energy efficient and help when heating bills are increasing.
14. Cover Up Fish Tanks & Aquariums
Many families have house pets and plants which produce a lot of moisture. Make sure you cover up your aquarium or fish tanks to prevent excess moisture escaping into the air. If damp patches start to appear on your walls or you start to notice more surface condensation on your windows and walls near to your house plants, then look to move them outdoors.
Find out More
Contact Us today to book a free home survey – our local ventilation specialists can visit you in your home and assess the cause of any condensation or damp problems you might have and give you advice about the best way of preventing any problems getting worse.