It’s that time of year again, people are talking about the C word already… you know the one we mean… condensation! Now that the colder weather is here you may find that condensation is becoming a more common occurrence within your home.

What is condensation?

Condensation is caused by water vapour coming into contact with cold surfaces, such as walls or windows. This contact causes the vapour to condense and become water droplets. Condensation may not seem like a big issue but over time can cause damage to walls and window frames, and lead to mould.

How to prevent condensation (and stop it getting worse)

• Whilst cooking, try and keep lids on your saucepans to help limit the amount of steam being released into the air. Make sure to use your extractor fan or leave a window open (it’s best to leave the fan running or window open for 20 minutes after you have finished).
• Try not to hang clothes to dry indoors. If this is unavoidable then make sure you open the window of the room they are hanging in and close the door so excess moisture can escape.
• When you are bathing or washing turn on your extractor fan or open a window. Leave the fan on or window open and the door closed for a good 20 minutes after you have finished.
• Where possible put free-standing furniture against internal walls (these are less likely to be affected by condensation) with a gap between the furniture and the wall, in order to let air circulate. It’s also best not to overfill cupboards or other furniture so that air can circulate around the contents as well.
• Try to keep your home warm as this will help to avoid cold surfaces forming.
• If there is no one home during the day, set the heating timer so that your home is warm by the time you get home.
• If it is very cold outside you may want to leave the heating on during the day so the temperature remains even. If you prefer you can set it to be slightly lower during the day and turn it up when you get home.
• Even if you don’t use all the rooms in your home it is best to still keep them heated to avoid having cold areas. It’s better for your home to have all the rooms heated to a low temperature than just a few to a higher temperature.
• When you see condensation appearing wipe it away as soon as possible.
• If you feel your home needs a little extra help, it may be worth getting a dehumidifier to help remove the excess moisture in your home.

We hope you find these tips helpful, and that they help you to have a warm, cozy and condensation free home this winter.