Condensation

hoanymole

Hi we are having a problem with condensation in our upstairs bedrooms. The house is only five years old so I didn’t expect it. A few possible causes:

1. Shower room extractor fan may need replacing (but doubt this would have all the windows dripping each morning)

2. Six of us in the house so there is a lot of washing drying all the time. Although yesterday morning no washing out and still lots of condensation.

3. We don’t put the heat on upstairs as much.

Any suggestions that could help would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

anacc

Are the vents on the windows closed?

Tails142

You need to increase air circulation with the outside air. Hi tech solutions would be mechanical type vents with heat recovery but most houses have just holes in the wall to the outside. Check these aren't blocked and are working.

Failing that just crack open the window for an hour or so each morning.

Calahonda52

You need to address the water vapour load created by 6 people and the associated activities that you described.
You need to improve the controlled ventilation.
My guess is the there is so much water vapour embedded in the building fabric that it will take a while to dry out.

The current cold snap just accentuates the issue but you all, and your activities are responsible, end of.
Age of house irrelevant

GreeBo

Open a window in the room you are doing the drying in.
Also leave bedroom doors open during the day and ideal open a window in each begin for an hour or so.

GreeBo

Calahonda52 wrote: »

Age of house irrelevant

Well not really, the newer the house the more air sealed it is likely to be.
But agreed that once you have the issue, the basic solution is the same, irrespective of house age, however his you solve it will be different for an a rated house Vs a 1950s 9 inch cavity.

Vieira82

its a matter of air circulation. If you have vents on the windows then keep them open, otherwise if it happens overnight, open the windows in the morning, let the air circulate back into the room and close them once you see the condensation is gone. If it happens during the day it might be travelling from somewhere else in the house like you mentioned.

I lived in an apt. for 6 years in Cork and the vents on all windows where all open, I literally never had any condensation issue or mold. Moved to a house built in the 90s last year with no vents on windows and started having condensation overnight. So openning the window every morning to make the air move and avoid mold.

Hope this info helps :=)

Calahonda52

GreeBo wrote: »

Well not really, the newer the house the more air sealed it is likely to be.
But agreed that once you have the issue, the basic solution is the same, irrespective of house age, however his you solve it will be different for an a rated house Vs a 1950s 9 inch cavity.

Fair comment
Wont argue, enough ('19 related) arguing going on everywhere I look/listen/read:D

I based it on this, guessing what he meant

The house is only five years old so I didn’t expect it

Lumen

Is there an opening window in the bathroom? If so, what type and how much does it open?

TheW1zard

Buy a cat, put cat on windowsill.

hoanymole

Thanks everyone. Yes vents are open on the windows. I’ll open the windows each morning as suggested too. I think it’s the amount of laundry we do.

Would you recommend a dehumidifier?

CoBo55

hoanymole wrote: »

Thanks everyone. Yes vents are open on the windows. I’ll open the windows each morning as suggested too. I think it’s the amount of laundry we do.

Would you recommend a dehumidifier?

Yes, a dehumidifier is fantastic. I'm using a meaco it's fantastic it will make a huge difference.

Lumen

hoanymole wrote: »

Thanks everyone. Yes vents are open on the windows. I’ll open the windows each morning as suggested too. I think it’s the amount of laundry we do.

Would you recommend a dehumidifier?

I'm using a EcoAir DD1 CLASSIC MK5 Desiccant Dehumidifier. The only annoyance is that the minimum time setting is two hours, so effectively it needs to be manually switched on and off as required or else it'll cost a euro every time you use it on high setting.

Also, if you're buying a clothes dryer get a condensing one as they emit much less moisture.

Lumen

Lumen wrote: »

I'm using a EcoAir DD1 CLASSIC MK5 Desiccant Dehumidifier. The only annoyance is that the minimum time setting is two hours, so effectively it needs to be manually switched on and off as required or else it'll cost a euro every time you use it on high setting.

Also, if you're buying a clothes dryer get a condensing one as they emit much less moisture.

It cant be that hard on juice?
or do you have an expensive rate!!!

Lumen

Lumen wrote: »

I'm using a EcoAir DD1 CLASSIC MK5 Desiccant Dehumidifier. The only annoyance is that the minimum time setting is two hours, so effectively it needs to be manually switched on and off as required or else it'll cost a euro every time you use it on high setting.

According to the specs of that device, running at 2 hours on the highest settings at the most expensive rate would cost you about 0.50 eur, VAT incl

begbysback

TheW1zard wrote: »

Buy a cat, put cat on windowsill.

Does he not just then have a pissed of cat and condensation?

Lumen

Deleted User wrote: »

According to the specs of that device, running at 2 hours on the highest settings at the most expensive rate would cost you about 0.50 eur, VAT incl

I measured the power draw using a smart plug.

mosii

I have the same problem, i have vents in the rooms all open.5 in my house, drying clothes inside is a bad idea, but mainly hot air inside ,hitting cold air on glass is what does it, and i cant stop it. I would like to know a solution as well. I bought a karcher window vac, which makes it easy to suck the condensation in the mornings, but i would love to stop the problem as well.

Lumen

begbysback wrote: »

Does he not just then have a pissed of cat and condensation?

Have you never seen a cat lick condensation off a window? It's delightful.

My cat will only take on water from windows and running taps. She refuses to drink out of a bowl.

listermint

mosii wrote: »

I have the same problem, i have vents in the rooms all open.5 in my house, drying clothes inside is a bad idea, but mainly hot air inside ,hitting cold air on glass is what does it, and i cant stop it. I would like to know a solution as well. I bought a karcher window vac, which makes it easy to suck the condensation in the mornings, but i would love to stop the problem as well.

You can stop the problem by all moving out


But honestly the current cold snap will enhance the visibility of this issue. It's purely moisture related people and their activities create moisture.

If you got a humidity sensor you might find your house is over 60 percent moisture . Most buildings should be below 50 percent.

Permanent solutions involve better ventilation measured be they passive or mechanical. Quicker short term fixes are opening all windows upstairs halfway for 30 mins in the morning then closing them afterwards. And cracking windows open during activities such as cooking and showering .

Also open the doors on rooms to allow airflow.

GreeBo

Lumen wrote: »

I'm using a EcoAir DD1 CLASSIC MK5 Desiccant Dehumidifier. The only annoyance is that the minimum time setting is two hours, so effectively it needs to be manually switched on and off as required or else it'll cost a euro every time you use it on high setting.

Also, if you're buying a clothes dryer get a condensing one as they emit much less moisture.

Can you not just use a regular socket timer like when going on holidays for the lights?

+1 on condensing dryer

Lumen

GreeBo wrote: »

Can you not just use a regular socket timer like when going on holidays for the lights?

The problem with many appliances these days (include my dehumidifier) is that they don't come on when electricity is supplied, so when you add a timer socket they'll switch off OK but when the plug turns on they just sit there doing nothing until you press a button.

This means when shopping you need to buy either a device which has all the smart stuff integrated, or is incredibly dumb.

So with my timer and thermostatically controlled heater I used the cheapest one in Powercity which was dumb enough to just come on when power is supplied.

mosii

listermint wrote: »

You can stop the problem by all moving out


But honestly the current cold snap will enhance the visibility of this issue. It's purely moisture related people and their activities create moisture.

If you got a humidity sensor you might find your house is over 60 percent moisture . Most buildings should be below 50 percent.

Permanent solutions involve better ventilation measured be they passive or mechanical. Quicker short term fixes are opening all windows upstairs halfway for 30 mins in the morning then closing them afterwards. And cracking windows open during activities such as cooking and showering .

Also open the doors on rooms to allow airflow.

,,
Tried all above,still get condensation on windows in the morning.

Lumen

mosii wrote: »

,,
Tried all above,still get condensation on windows in the morning.

You can play around with an RH calculator to understand this issue.

e.g. https://www.rotronic.com/en/humidity_measurement-feuchtemessung-mesure_de_l_humidite/humidity-calculator-feuchterechner-mr

So

70% RH at 20C inside gives a dew point of 14C.
50% RH at 20C inside gives a dew point of 4C.
30% RH at 20C inside gives a dew point of 2C.

This means, for instance, that with 20C indoor temp and 70% relative humidity, if the inner surface of the glass is any colder than 14C, you will get condensation on it.

If you have this problem with double or triple glazing then either your windows are knackered or your humidity is through the roof.

listermint

mosii wrote: »

,,
Tried all above,still get condensation on windows in the morning.

How old are your windows.....

mosii

20 yrs double glazing.:cool:

listermint

mosii wrote: »

20 yrs double glazing.:cool:

They may be sans performance then. The glass can lose its effectiveness if the gas degrades or is lost.

Still though if you've 5 people all day during lockdown may have to crack a window for longer or resort to dehumidifiers.

mosii

Thanks ,
Would triple glazing sort out the problem?:(

Lumen

mosii wrote: »

Thanks ,
Would triple glazing sort out the problem?:(

Or new double glazing. But bear in mind that window condensation can be pretty harmless, or even positive, because the glass is acting like a dehumidifier. My single-glazed windows have drain holes in the frames so the water just runs out, that's how they were designed.

If you warm up the glass but the humidity remains high, it may just condense on the inner face of the external wall, which is MUCH WORSE because you may get black mould growth (which you don't get on glass).

So you need to understand what you're dealing with.

mosii

Thanks for time and effort,i am getting used to it now.

Lumen

To keep it simple....

Wet air + cold surfaces = bad.
Dry air + warm surfaces = good.
Ventilation = good.
Heating = good.

branners69

hoanymole wrote: »

Thanks everyone. Yes vents are open on the windows. I’ll open the windows each morning as suggested too. I think it’s the amount of laundry we do.

Would you recommend a dehumidifier?

A dehumidifier will 100% sort out your problem. I got one in Aldi 5 years ago and havent had the problem since. Opening windows etc is great unfortunate this time of the year is shag all use.

My dehumidifer has a clothes drying function so you point it at the clothes horse and it dries the clothes throughout the day and then at night I change it to dehumidifier mode and have nice and dry windows!

I use my dehumidifer 2 to 3 months of the year. I dont care how much it costs to run, as no way is the amount of moisture in the air good for the 6 of us to be inhaling during our sleep!

I also bought a condensing dryer for €300, is pretty useless. Takes 2-3 hours to dry the clothes.

So get a dehumdifier asap, €120 to €150 and look forward to dry windows!

miezekatze

We had this issue too and noticed a big difference after we started heating the upstairs rooms more. We open all the windows for a few hours in the morning and then close them and put the heating on for a bit, and turn it on again when we feel it getting a bit chilly. We also dry clothes indoors, don't have a dryer. Don't think there's much point having the windows open all day if it's cold and damp outside.

simongurnick

hoanymole wrote: »

Thanks everyone. Yes vents are open on the windows. I’ll open the windows each morning as suggested too. I think it’s the amount of laundry we do.

Would you recommend a dehumidifier?

you shouldnt need a dehumidifier due to laundry. Is your dryer securely vented out of the house?

GreeBo

mosii wrote: »

,,
Tried all above,still get condensation on windows in the morning.

We had a similar issue and it took leaving the upstairs subdued open for 3-4 hours one day to catch up, now we just open them s crack in the morning or open s window beside any drying clothes

Lumen

Lumen wrote: »

I measured the power draw using a smart plug.

You might want to recheck your numbers then, because the laws of physics say its not possible to get to the cost you indicated at the power consumption rate of that equipment. Its literally not possible

Vieira82

hoanymole wrote: »

Thanks everyone. Yes vents are open on the windows. I’ll open the windows each morning as suggested too. I think it’s the amount of laundry we do.

Would you recommend a dehumidifier?

To be honest never had a good experience with them. If you use them too much you risk having no humidity which will lead to dry cough, dry throats and dry nostrils which can be annoying.

if it's related to laundry then just opening a small bit the window on the room the clothes are drying should do the trick.

But for ex, due to this cold snap I had no other solution but to block all vents in the house as they're just massive holes in the house and one could feel drafts everywhere and the building loosing heat. So when we're cooking, open the kitchen window, then close it afterward; shower, open the bathroom window, close it when it's done; sleeping, either leave a tiny bit the window open or open the window in the morning.

And thankfully very little condensation and no of the resulting mold.

Lumen

Deleted User wrote: »

You might want to recheck your numbers then, because the laws of physics say its not possible to get to the cost you indicated at the power consumption rate of that equipment. Its literally not possible

Thanks for the push. I rechecked the power consumption and it's 560-565W. I must have been mixing the data up with that from my heater.

CoBo55

This is the dehumidifier I have https://www.meaco-dehumidifiers.ie/meaco-25l-ultra-low-energy-dehumidifier-new-2020-model/ any of those cheap on/off ones are useless. I had the older model https://www.meaco-dehumidifiers.ie/meaco-20l-low-energy-dehumidifier-with-hepa-filter/ in an unoccupied house and it was brilliant it literally extracted gallons of water over a few months made it so much easier to heat. Admittedly they are pricey but in my experience worth every penny.

Outkast_IRE

The window vents arent worth even considering , a useless contraption for the most part.

On my own windows you can lock them open about an inch and we have a dedicated wall vent. The window is left on the air vent almost year round and opened wider in the summer.

If you have an option like that on the windows i suggest using it.

blackbox

What method are you using to dry your clothes?

If you are simply hanging them on a clothes horse then every drop of water that comes off them is going into your house. It is also going to take heat from your house through evaporative cooling.

You would be better off using a dryer vented externally or else a condenser type or, if you can afford it, a heat pump type.

Calahonda52

blackbox wrote: »

What method are you using to dry your clothes?

If you are simply hanging them on a clothes horse then every drop of water that comes off them is going into your house. It is also going to take heat from your house through evaporative cooling.

You would be better off using a dryer vented externally or else a condenser type or, if you can afford it, a heat pump type.

The volume of water can be easily got by weighing the clothes when dry and wet from machine, 1 kg = 1 litre

curiousinvestor

Do they , dehumidifiers, much noise.
I've a problem with vents, windows open. I live on a hill near the Atlantic. The draughts and wind howling in through the house is a major issue if a window is left cracked open. ( I've triple glazing to reduce the noise)
I was looking into mhrv but 2 friends have them and at night you can hear the humm off them.
I had thought to put a dehumidifier in the hallway at night time and run for a few hours when all in bed.

CoBo55

curiousinvestor wrote: »

Do they , dehumidifiers, much noise.
I've a problem with vents, windows open. I live on a hill near the Atlantic. The draughts and wind howling in through the house is a major issue if a window is left cracked open. ( I've triple glazing to reduce the noise)
I was looking into mhrv but 2 friends have them and at night you can hear the humm off them.
I had thought to put a dehumidifier in the hallway at night time and run for a few hours when all in bed.

This one I have now https://www.meaco-dehumidifiers.ie/meaco-25l-ultra-low-energy-dehumidifier-new-2020-model/ has a quiet setting for night time. Mine is set to 55% and at this time of year is left on continuously (it doesn't run continuously). At night it's switched to quiet mode you'd never hear it. It's in the hall.

Outkast_IRE

curiousinvestor wrote: »

Do they , dehumidifiers, much noise.
I've a problem with vents, windows open. I live on a hill near the Atlantic. The draughts and wind howling in through the house is a major issue if a window is left cracked open. ( I've triple glazing to reduce the noise)
I was looking into mhrv but 2 friends have them and at night you can hear the humm off them.
I had thought to put a dehumidifier in the hallway at night time and run for a few hours when all in bed.

Hearing the humm can be tackled by correct duct sizing , unit placement and sound attenuation in the ducts , all fairly easy things to plan for .

ted1

We get condensation on the window in my daughter room. It’s ( the window) only a year old.
What’s happening is that she has the blind snd curtains closed. Which is stopping the windiest from heating up, thus keeping it cold and hence the condensation. So condensation on a window isn’t just a sign of bad gas in a window

roper1664

I've been using a dehumidifier for years. Great and doesn't cost that much to run for a few hours each day in the winter. Get one for under 200e. Leave in hallway, landing or kitchen (with door open) and it will reduce humidity throughout the house. I also use mine to dry the clothes on a clothes horse/drier. Takes longer than a tumble drier, but it doesn't damage the clothes, as the tumble drier does.

I think try it, and then if you're not satisfied, go down a different route next autumn.

I've ecoair dd1 classic mk5. Thoroughly recommended.
I've mine set up in kitchen with kitchen door open. I get no condensation on windows at all while I cook. If it wasn't running I would get condensation.

thehamo

If you have an attic, look in to the nuaire drimaster

Spanishpoint

CoBo55 wrote: »

This one I have now https://www.meaco-dehumidifiers.ie/meaco-25l-ultra-low-energy-dehumidifier-new-2020-model/ has a quiet setting for night time. Mine is set to 55% and at this time of year is left on continuously (it doesn't run continuously). At night it's switched to quiet mode you'd never hear it. It's in the hall.

I use it as well, good recommendation.

hoanymole

So I ordered the dehumidifier...

And now on this milder morning there’s not much condensation!

I am guessing there’s still too much moisture in the house though? It’s just not showing on the windows which aren’t as cold now?

CoBo55

hoanymole wrote: »

So I ordered the dehumidifier...

And now on this milder morning there’s not much condensation!

I am guessing there’s still too much moisture in the house though? It’s just not showing on the windows which aren’t as cold now?

Which dehumidifier did you go for?