Window condensation - do I need to turn on heaters?

psychology5

Hi,

I've recently moved into a rented apartment in a complex. There are two bedrooms (one spare) with double glazed windows, and for the past two weeks or so the condensation on both these windows has gotten really bad, to the point where puddles of water are forming on the window sills in the morning. The whole apartment is quite warm, we have storage heating in the living areas and electric heaters in the bedrooms but haven't switched any of them on, because we genuinely haven't had the need for it and can do without the expense. However from what I gather from reading online, one of the ways of solving condensation problems is by heating the home, which is fine and I have no problem doing so to fix this issue.

My question is, to what extent do I need to be using the heating to get rid of night-time build up of condensation? And are there any other things I should do to help this? I try to open the windows for at least an hour during the day, particularly as we do occasionally have to dry clothes indoors.

Any help is much appreciated, I'm fairly clueless about all of the above!

Billy Bunting

psychology5 wrote: »

Hi,

I've recently moved into a rented apartment in a complex. There are two bedrooms (one spare) with double glazed windows, and for the past two weeks or so the condensation on both these windows has gotten really bad, to the point where puddles of water are forming on the window sills in the morning. The whole apartment is quite warm, we have storage heating in the living areas and electric heaters in the bedrooms but haven't switched any of them on, because we genuinely haven't had the need for it and can do without the expense. However from what I gather from reading online, one of the ways of solving condensation problems is by heating the home, which is fine and I have no problem doing so to fix this issue.

My question is, to what extent do I need to be using the heating to get rid of night-time build up of condensation? And are there any other things I should do to help this? I try to open the windows for at least an hour during the day, particularly as we do occasionally have to dry clothes indoors.

Any help is much appreciated, I'm fairly clueless about all of the above!

You either need more ventilation which will then require more heat or buy yourself a dehumidifier, I believe they aare on sale in lidle or one of those places, couple of hours a day and you'll soon be nice and dry.

psychology5

Thank you for your help!!

I will look into getting a dehumidifier. For the last few days we've had the heat on because it has gotten a little colder, and that seems to have made the problem much worse, there is loads of water on the window sill each morning on and it's so frustrating because the bed is right beneath it. Do you think this is something we should tell our landlady about? I really hate to bother her with anything I can sort myself but I'm worried there's a real problem with how the windows are fitted that is causing this. Surely this is not normal?? I've certainly never seen it before! Thanks again.

cerastes

Billy Bunting wrote: »

You either need more ventilation which will then require more heat or buy yourself a dehumidifier, I believe they aare on sale in lidle or one of those places, couple of hours a day and you'll soon be nice and dry.

It would probably be better and cheaper to heat the accomodation, by the time the OP buys a dehumidifier and runs it. Id be suprised if its not in the lease as not heating a property is what leads to condensation when people live in it and water vapour is expelled into the living space.
Or very cheaply they could lay out a towel on the window sill or get some of the type of dehumdifiers that are in a plastic container, in lidl or the like which soak up moisture, I was thinking of trying this myself.
I also from time to time, squeegee off the windows into a towel for the wash.
Ventilation is the other option, but really that goes hand in hand with heating, as wasteful as it seems, its necessary. So the OP could ventilate the room, assuming no extra moisture is getting into the space by attempting to dry clothes in the room, cold air will hold less moisture, but I wouldnt expect a landlord would approve as property needs to be kept warm if its lived in, for comfort and to maintain the condition of the structure.
Its cold out, exhaling water vapour and drying clothes will put water vapour in the air which will condense on cold surfaces.

Im astounded people dont seem to know this?

psychology5 wrote: »

Thank you for your help!!

I will look into getting a dehumidifier. For the last few days we've had the heat on because it has gotten a little colder, and that seems to have made the problem much worse, there is loads of water on the window sill each morning on and it's so frustrating because the bed is right beneath it. Do you think this is something we should tell our landlady about? I really hate to bother her with anything I can sort myself but I'm worried there's a real problem with how the windows are fitted that is causing this. Surely this is not normal?? I've certainly never seen it before! Thanks again.

Can the windows open? is it safe to do so? what floor are you on? are there children? do they have a ventilation position?
The moisture is coming from somewhere, either exhalation or drying clothes or showering or cooking, so if its predominantly the rooms that are lived in, why this surprises you, surprises me.
As for heating rooms you dont use, Im guessing you must be drying clothes in there, Ive rooms I dont use and they are only moderately heated and dont suffer condensation.

I alwasy leave the bathroom window on vent, as its used for showering, keep the door closed, so cold doesnt get through house/all heat escape.
Its cold but never suffers condensation, once its cold again, heat it up, thats the way it is.

I suggest, ventilate to some extent and heat. Mop up the condensation.
Have you not experienced this before? or lived somewhere the heat was on more consistently.

This always seems to be more problematic in rented accommodation?

youtheman

The 'root cause' of the problem is moist warm air is contacting a cold surface, thus causing condensation or 'water drop out'. So you have some options:

1. installing a dehumidifier to dry the air. But if the air is too dry them this can make the room uncomfortable (the body needs a certain amount of moisture in the atmosphere). Maybe use it after you have left the room.
2. remove the 'cold bridge' where the hot air meets the cold window/frame. Easier said than done. Ideally the window and frame should be well insulated so there should be no cold bridge, but you are bound to get some temperature difference between the air and the surface. Maybe try stop masses of hot air hitting the window by a well fitting curtain.
3. remove the hot air before it contacts the window (e.g. extraction, or maybe leave the door open to allow some of the air to escape into the hall).
4. heat the air well above the dew point such that even with a drop in temperature when it hits the window that there is no water drop out. Not really practical, and will be uncomfortable.

Billy Bunting

cerastes wrote: »

It would probably be better and cheaper to heat the accomodation, by the time the OP buys a dehumidifier and runs it. Id be suprised if its not in the lease as not heating a property is what leads to condensation when people live in it and water vapour is expelled into the living space.
Or very cheaply they could lay out a towel on the window sill or get some of the type of dehumdifiers that are in a plastic container, in lidl or the like which soak up moisture, I was thinking of trying this myself.
I also from time to time, squeegee off the windows into a towel for the wash.
Ventilation is the other option, but really that goes hand in hand with heating, as wasteful as it seems, its necessary. So the OP could ventilate the room, assuming no extra moisture is getting into the space by attempting to dry clothes in the room, cold air will hold less moisture, but I wouldnt expect a landlord would approve as property needs to be kept warm if its lived in, for comfort and to maintain the condition of the structure.
Its cold out, exhaling water vapour and drying clothes will put water vapour in the air which will condense on cold surfaces.

Im astounded people dont seem to know this?

I'm astonished you seem to be so adamant that you have the answer.

"Cheaper to run the heating" ? I don't think so, €149.99 for a good Dehumidifier, I would burn that in a couple of months, and once the unit has the dampness under control it requires very little use to keep the place dry and free from condensation and mildew.

I use both and highly recommend Dehumidifiers in our damp climate.

cerastes

Billy Bunting wrote: »

I'm astonished you seem to be so adamant that you have the answer.

"Cheaper to run the heating" ? I don't think so, €149.99 for a good Dehumidifier, I would burn that in a couple of months, and once the unit has the dampness under control it requires very little use to keep the place dry and free from condensation and mildew.

I use both and highly recommend Dehumidifiers in our damp climate.

If you had 3 months of really cold weather, say 50 euro per month just to buy the item, plus whatever it costs to run it, or determine the sources of the moisture and insulate the windows from too much warm air, ie close curtains, thats free.

gctest50

cerastes wrote: »

It would probably be better and cheaper to heat the accomodation..........

Do both - not like they are mutually exclusive or something

most little dehumidifiers work better when its warm anyway

joykn

Hi, I have the same issue as well windows are soaking wet especially the master bedroom with water dripping from the ceiling. Mould is growing in window sills, blinds, ceilings and walls. Totally sick of it!
We need to top up the insulation in the house but I am afraid it won't solve the issue. Anyway, I am looking at those Damp experts or moisture control specialist... does anyone used any before any good? Can recommend one? Thanks

BryanF

joykn wrote: »

Hi, I have the same issue as well windows are soaking wet especially the master bedroom with water dripping from the ceiling. Mould is growing in window sills, blinds, ceilings and walls. Totally sick of it!
We need to top up the insulation in the house but I am afraid it won't solve the issue. Anyway, I am looking at those Damp experts or moisture control specialist... does anyone used any before any good? Can recommend one? Thanks

where in the country are you?

joykn

I am in Kildare