Reducing Condensation in Homes

The effects of condensation can be controlled in many ways, such as keeping your home ventilated and wiping down condensation when you see it.

You can also try the following to reduce condensation in your home:

Cooking

• Make sure you close the kitchen door while you are cooking.
• Try to open a window or put the extractor fan on when using the hob.
• Make sure to cover pans with lids while cooking.
• Don’t leave pans or the kettle boiling longer than needed.

Having a shower or bath

• Close the bathroom door while having a shower or bath.
• Open a window or put the extractor fan on while showering or bathing.
• Leave the window open or fan on until all the moisture has gone from the windows and walls after bathing.
• When having a bath, put some cold water in the bath first, then add hot water, this will reduce the amount of steam produced.

Drying clothes

• Dry your clothes outdoors, if possible.
• If you have to dry clothes indoors, put them in the bathroom with the door shut and open a window, or put the extractor fan on.
• Try not to place wet clothes on radiators.
• A tumble dryer should either be of the condensing type or vented to an external wall.

Heating

• Try to keep low background heating on all day if possible. Warm air can hold more moisture, so condensation will be less likely to form.
• Do not put heating on for short periods of time as this can increase levels of condensation. This is because the air heats and cools quickly.
• Do not use liquid, propane gas or paraffin heaters, as they produce a lot of water vapour.

Ventilation

• Try to use extractor fans or cooker hoods when you are cooking.
• Try to keep windows open to remove moisture when you are cooking, having a shower or drying clothes.
• Try to keep furniture away from walls, particularly external walls, and leave a gap to allow air to circulate.
• Do not overfill cupboards and wardrobes.
• Do not block or cover airbricks or vents.
• Do not completely block chimneys. Make sure to leave a hole and fit an air vent.
• Keep a window slightly open throughout the day, if safe to do so. This will help moisture to escape.

Insulation and draught proofing

• Consider installing a cavity wall/external insulation.
• Insulate your loft and draught proof the loft hatch.
• Consider secondary glazing or double glazing.

Financial costs

We know that the cost of living crisis is affecting everyone, and that energy bills have increased. It may seem strange, or a waste of money to open your windows when you have the heating on. However, this allows the moisture-filled air to leave the property and allows dry air to enter, which is easier and cheaper to heat.