b'hard truthsReseneMeltwaterdealing to the dampIts unhealthy, hikes up our power bills, ruins soft furnishings and can rot the very structure of our houses. But condensation is all too common in our homes.We all know the catch phrase: a dry home is a healthy home.We then come home, take a hot shower, boil the jug for a cuppa and But many of us wake to windows streaked with water droplets orswitch the gas heater on high to try and warm up. The result is more condensation sitting on bathroom walls. Then theres the mouldcondensation as this hot, wet air hits cold surfaces. growing in the corners of the ceiling, or a damp musty smell in theThere are, however, homes designed to be airtight but that use a wardrobes. Having to wipe down windows and walls, and scrubrobust home ventilation system that filters the air as it comes in, blackened ceilings isnt just annoying, its a sign that our homes arentridding it of moisture, pollens and pollutants, and then extracts any providing a dry, healthy living environment. And with our high asthmastale or moist air from inside and expels it. These systems can, of rate, its crucial that we deal with condensation issues before anothercourse, be retrofitted into any house to improve air quality. cold winter arrives.The key to combating condensation lies in adequate ventilation and maintaining a constant indoor temperature through efficient heating How does condensation form? and insulation. Moist air needs to be able to escape outside, but too The process happens when warm water vapour in the air hits amuch ventilation will make a house draughty and cold. Striking the non-absorbentcoldsurface,suchasawindow,wall,ceilingorright balance is vital. porcelain vanity, and condenses to form small water droplets. Often we dont even notice the condensation until mould starts to growYou can improve indoor air circulation by opening windows and doors on that surface. But these mould spores can cause everything fromon dry days. If condensation is occurring on outside walls behind minor immune responses to asthma and headaches, dizziness andfurniture such as couches and beds, move them out from the walls so depression, and in extreme cases, death. air can circulate around these cold areas. Whats more, condensation can also gradually destroy our home andToo much ventilation (ie. cold draughts) will make a home harder possessions. Over time, it causes timber and particle board to stainto heat, and an inadequately heated home will in turn encourage and rot, and can damage carpets, curtains and furniture, as well ascondensation. In winter, aim to keep the indoor temperature at a clothing and mattresses. minimum of 16C (WHO recommendation) or at least 7C warmer than the outdoor temperature.Damp homes are also harder and more expensive to heat because in the process of drying out, wet building materials remove some of theHowever, heres the catch: the way we heat our homes can actually warmth from the air.contribute to the condensation problem. Bottled gas and kerosene heaters release up to a litre of water an hour into the air. Cost-Condensation culprits: effective, wall-mounted panel heaters fitted with timers are a muchClothes left drying inside on racks better option. Or you could invest in a heat pump or central heating,Unflued gas and kerosene heaters or install a DVS system, which takes warm air from the ceiling space and slowly pushes it into the house to provide a positive pressure thatLack of good extractors forces damp air outside.Showering/bathing, especially with the door open Insulating your walls and ceiling, and installing double glazing willSteam from cooking and boiling jugs keep your house warmer and make it easier and cheaper to heat. ByUnvented tumble dryers and bathrooms warming up the surfaces of walls and ceilings, youre providing fewer cold surfaces on which water vapour can condense. Drawing well- Humans produce 500ml to 800ml of moisture a day throughfitted, heavy curtains at night will help keep in heat gained from the respiration and perspiration sun during the day.Rooms on the southern side of your house or those shaded by trees What can we do about it? are more susceptible to damp and humidity so keep a close check Keeping out moisture doesnt mean sealing your house up tight. Inon these parts of your home. Dehumidifiers can be expensive to run, fact, this is one of the contributing factors to condensation in ourbut they are a good short-term solution to dry out particularly damp homestheyre left firmly closed up and cold for most of the day.rooms. 58'