The last thing you want to be battling with this summer is condensation. Which is why we’d like to share with you why condensation occurs, what the causes are and how you can prevent it from occurring. Plus how we can prevent your towels and bathrooms from becoming damp.
Condensation forms when warm, moist air comes into contact with air or a surface that is colder. This means the warm air is unable to retain the same amount of moisture therefore water is released into the cold air or onto the colder surface. You’ll probably recognise condensation as streaming windows or puddles on window sills.
Condensation is a problem in most households, affecting one in five homes in the UK. It doesn’t matter what season we’re in or if it’s a period property or a brand new build. This isn’t surprising considering the main causes of condensation are essential daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, heating, washing or drying clothes and even breathing!
It’s suggested on average each person in the household produces a huge 4 litres of water vapour each day. And unless this moisture is removed quickly, problems occur which don’t just include the inconvenience of having damp towels, cleaning your windows or wiping surfaces dry but the hazardous problem of mould!
The good news is; condensation is easily prevented, a lot easier than attempting to fix it!
You can prevent condensation through ventilation, humidity and insulation. Below are four key tips you should consider if you don’t want the negative effects of condensation to occur.
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Provide ventilation
Having adequate ventilation is key to preventing condensation. A good option is a heat-recovery ventilation unit which replaces air inside your home by taking the warm moist air outside and bringing fresh air back inside.
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Control the relative humidity
Installing extractor fans in your kitchen and bathroom will control the humidity in your household. It’s ideal to run extractor fans while showering, running a bath, washing up or boiling the kettle. It’s also a good idea to ensure the doors to these rooms are shut whilst the extractor fans are on.
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Add insulation
Adding insulation ensures that your internal walls are always kept at a temperature above the dew point - the temperature at which the moisture in the air turns to water. A good option is internal wall insulation as it is not always possible to add insulation to the exterior of your property.
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Installing an electrical heating system
At Heating Style, we combine style and functionality. Many of our products can be converted to electric only or dual fuel radiators. Both of these products eliminate the need for the central heating system to be on in the summer months which not only is unnecessary in the warmer days but it may also contribute to condensation.
Dual fuel radiators give you the benefit of being able to electrically heat a towel warmer or radiator whilst isolating it from the central heating system in the summer without any complicated plumbing. Adding an electrical element can also change your radiator or towel rail warmer into an electric only product if you don’t want to attach it to your central heating, or you don’t have gas or heating in your house.
You can listen to our podcasts for further advice and tips
Both options outlined above can help with the problem of condensation and are also energy efficient at this time of year. It’s time to turn the boiler off as its getting warm, but you can still giving have the benefit on a slightly cooler morning. Everyone loves that lovely feeling of having a nice warm dry towel around you after a shower. If you like the sound of this, why not take a look at our website to choose from our extensive electric element range: www.heating-style.co.uk