Condensation is a problem frequently found in all types of properties. It can be unsightly and, if not addressed, cause real damage to wall coverings, window fittings, paintwork and curtains.
The question is how can we reduce condensation without sacrificing the increased comfort that we all desire? It will help to understand the causes of condensation in order to find the answer to it.
What is condensation? Condensation is the result of water vapour in the atmosphere. Warm air will hold more water vapour than cold air. There is a limit to the amount of water vapour it can hold for a given temperature. When saturated air comes into contact with a surface at a temperature lower than its own the air is chilled and sheds the surplus water vapour onto the surface. It will initially appear as a mist but, if excessive, will settle into droplets.
Where does water vapour come from? Two sleeping adults will produce 1.5 pints of moisture in 8 hours! A flueless gas heater will produce up to 2/3 of a pint of moisture per hour! Indoor plants can also contribute but the biggest contributor of water vapour comes from bathing and laundry.
How does effective double glazing help? Double glazing is an insulator which reduces the loss of heat from the inside of the building. Under normal conditions, and assuming the room is heated adequately, the room side surface temperature of the glass will be higher than it would be with single glazed windows or old, ineffective double glazed units. The likelihood of condensation occurring when warm, moist air in the room comes into contact with the surface of the glass is thereby reduced.
It should be remembered that double glazing is an insulator and not a heat source. Neither can it control the amount of water vapour in the air. When rooms are insufficiently heated double glazing cannot fulfil the purpose for which it was installed. However, a pro-active approach to limiting and controlling water vapour in the home alongside adequate heating, controlled ventilation and effective double glazing should bring a noticeable improvement.
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