Condensation Problems

[raybush]

Hi .I need a bit of advice on a condensation problem .
The wife and i are pensioners and as with everyone at the moment we are more careful on how we use our heating etc,
We tend now to only have the heating on for half an hour first thing and an hour during the evening . In the past we have had a bit of condensation , but now we seem to be getting quite a bit more .We dont tend to heat rooms that we dont use and try to slightly ventilate others .The room that tends to attract more condensation is the bedroom ,but in this room the wife does not like heating
on ,however ,we have a few of those little boxes that gather condensation in them placed near to our bedroom window where the condensation seems to gather .
I hope this makes sense .Are we doing anything wrong hear? .
i'm sure that our problem has appeared in quite a number of homes in the current climate, but it's knowing the correct way to ease the problem.
Any help/advice would be great ,thanks

[Old_Geezer]

No expert, but you seem to be doing the right things to me. An unheated room will have cold window panes, and a couple of you in the room will add to the water in the air, so it seems to make sense.

[The Builder]

Ray, you have my sympathies. This has come up countless times on Answerbank. In the current climate (weather and economic), it's happening more and more.

Water vapour (washing machines/cooking/drying clothes/bathing/ and especially breathing.)
There are just two solutions: heating and ventilation.
Even low level background heating can keep vapour above the "dew-point" at which it condenses. If the fabric of the building remains below a certain temperature, then vapour condenses on any available cold surface.

Heating becomes less important if there is no vapour present.
Ventilation: this should really be more accurately named "extraction."
There are two extremes: No vapour... then theoretically no heating needed (except of course for your comfort.)
The other extreme: water vapour present but bags of heating.

As for extraction: over cookers and hobs essential. (Especially with gas. And extraction MUST be to outside the building.)
Showers/baths: mechanical (electric fan) extraction to outside the building is also essential.
Clothes drying on radiators is one of the greatest contributors to water vapour. The better method is either outside drying or tumble driers vented to outside.
The only thing I don't advise Ray, is stopping breathing.
Although, that would help a tremendous amount ;o)

This is another discussion on the subject, where I described a simple ceiling vent (actually surprisingly effective.)

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Home-and-Garden/DIY/Question1817711.html

So... it's a trade-off. More costly heating OR extraction. Preferably some of both, together with attacking the sources of the water vapour in the first place.
I really wish I had a magic anti-condensation wand I could wave.
You are doing nothing wrong. It's just sadly not enough on our little soggy island up in the North Atlantic.

Good luck anyway. :o)

[gulliver1]

Have you blocked off. or sealed up a fire place?.

[Zacs-Master]

Surely, with all the government pay-outs, there's no need to not be warm? I can understand people being cautious but there's a point where the cost to heat the house from really cold to warm is costing more money than keeping it 'aired' all day.

[Peter Pedant]

thanks Buildy
thank god for some straightforward advice
( as a landlord, my tenants wont ventilate the properties and then whine incessantly the building is damp - even when it wasnt for the predecessor)

some people dont ever open the doors, windows as it will let the heat out

[johnk]

We use a sort of vacuum thing to clear the condensation of the windows each morning, that takes a lot away, not sure what they're called. there are also dehumidifiers but they use some electricity.

[raybush]

Hi .We have a Window vac which does a good job of removing the condensation from the affected windows,trying hard to stop it getting there in the first place.
Thanks for all the comments.