Condensation!! How can I help prevent it??

[oceanauk]

I have really terrible condensation build up on my windows in my flat. I live the in middle of a three story block and my flat is lovely and warm but even with my heating virtually off at night I still get lots of water on the windows. I have to use a car scraper to clear them all and the amount of water is shocking. All of my windows are the same throughout the flat not just a couple of rooms. I did purchase a dehumidifier but it's v expensive to run and can only be put in one room at a time plus it hasn't stopped the problem anyway! Any ideas why this is happening to this extent. Yes it is v cold outside at the moment but in the mornings when I go outside I look at all the other windows in the building and nobody else has this problem!! Many thanks!!

[Loosehead]

Central heating tends to extract water from all over the flat/house and it tends to condense on the surfaces that are away from the heat sources. It can easily be seen on windows but it is also present on walls and is often the cause of mould on wallpaper etc. If you open the small windows at the top in each room then you find the place will self de-humidify but you will lose heat.

[halfadaily]

I agree with Loosehead, leave a small opening in a window in each room. I do lose some heat, but my heating is included in the rent, so hey-ho.

[WendyS]

Ventilation is important, even when the weather is cold, in helping to prevent condensation so try to ensure a small window is open as much as possible, even if it's only a crack. . Also, how do you dry your washing? If you leave it indoors to dry slowly this will be adding a lot of extra moisture into the air and will make the problem worse. Also if you use a tumbler drier without ensuring the moist air is removed from outside the building, this will aggravate the problem. Metal window frames are another factor which can cause increased condensation on windows. And when cooking, always ensure you cover the saucepans with lids to minimise the amount of steam which escapes into the kitchen. After running a bath or shower, always ventilate the room afterwards and close the bathroom door to prevent moisture spreading into other rooms.

[KARL]

Condensation is most likely to build up if curtains prevent circulation around the glazed area - in this small "enclosed" space the temperature will be noticeably lower than elsewhere in the room. Leave the curtains open as much as possible and doors within the accommodation also open as much as possible. If heavy condensation persists then there is likely to be an unusually high level of moisture within the house for some reason - ensure vapour caused by cooking (including exhaust from any gas cooker) and/or a dryer is removed to outdoors using extractor fan(s).

[KARL]

Sorry, - are the windows single glazed ? If so, you will always get some condensation when the outdoor temperature is significanly lower than indoors (say 10 degrees or more - Celsius of course)

[stanleyman]

You can buy stuff like clingfilm, from Woolworths I think, to cover the windows and act as double glazing. Cheap and it works well.

[grizzly bear]

it occurs when warm air comes into contact with a cold surface - so through trial and error you need to find a good balance - either keeping the rooms cool with the window opens - or keep the heating on more (I think)... It's really annoying. If you purchase a good dehumidifier I think it could help - but you could potentially be looking to spend quite a bit of cash and you don't know if it will work and as you say it becomes expensive...I think I'd ring the managing agents to see if anybody else has the problem. I hope you manage to solve it. On another note, my user name is coming up wrong - as grizzly bear!

[oceanauk]

Thank you everybody for your answers!! I think the curtain theory is one that makes sense since my windows are shut off by thick and long length curtains. Will try a few of the suggestions. Thank you for taking the time to respond!