Condensation and airing house in winter.

[TKKW]

Just a few questions if anyone can help?

I also use a newly fitted extractor fan in bathroom fitted in old ones place but the old fan was fitted about a foot from the ceiling, so a bit low to be 100% effective. To change position would be a complete removal of bath and loo/sink and re- tile.

Should the windows be shut when extractor on? I still have so much steam in my bathroom an hour later with fan on and windows open!

Any tips on how to rid the room of condensation before we leave for work as dont really want to leave it open while not in?

A lot of clothes labels say "do not tumble dry"- any tips of how to dry these without contributing to moisture in home?

I have no trickle vents as windows installed 1995 and prior to our ownership - any further tips on how to keep windows in a family with small kids condensation free?

Is there any truth in this: you shouldnt open windows to air house if its damp or rainy outside?

Thanks.

how long is your morning shower? Make sure the bathroom is warm and a normal shower of five mins should not generate that much steam. With the fan run all should be well.

most stuff can be tumble dried unless cashmere, leather etc etc. If you have outside space use it when no rain is forecast, or even consider an undercover line if you have anywhere suitable.

Thanks Specialsubject Im 5 mins when just having a "wash day", a "wash and hair wash day" about 3 times a wek is about 12-13 minutes. My DH has a 15 minute shower without fail every morning. Nagging has absolutely no effect.

Nowhere to dry outside undercover unfortunately.

Have tumble dried stuff that said not tumble dry on label and they have shrunk tbh.

Possibly you are buying posher stuff than I... :-)

I think you've identified the problem causing the condensation in your bathroom. Hope he knows that if it is a power shower, he could have two baths for the same water.

door and window should be shut when using an extractor fan so it can create suction.

ceiling height is best because water vapour rises, but a foot down is OK.

some extractors have run-on timers (good) or humidity sensors (which I think are not much good)

If it is wired to come on with the light switch, it will probably start before you turn the taps on, which is good, and run on afterwards while you brush your teeth and cut your toenails, which is even better. Some people have an aversion to ventilation and are reluctant to turn fans on.

I would not be concerned about a fan running while unattended.

They are available in different powers. Do you know what make/model you have?

p.s.

water content in the air is mostly dependent on temperature. Opening the windows of your warm house to a cold rainy day, there will be less water vapour in the cold outside air, so open the windows.

A cubic metre of hot dry air in the Sahara contains much more water vapour than a metre of cold damp air in Manchester.

Pigletjohn my mind is well and truly blown by that!

I'm finally having sensor fans put in mine. They will be on constantly on a low setting and boost when they sense moisture in the air.

When I asked the damp surveyors if I should open my windows to air even when its raining he said it's about moisture but the most important thing is air flow. So opened windows circulate air and help stop damp settling.

I am saying this coming from a European country where it gets cold: forget about trickle vents, utter rubbish as you lose heat continuously. Short and powerful bursts of airing the house are far more effective and energy efficient.

Just open all of your windows for 5 minutes every morning and evening (and lunchtime, if you can).

I do this and line dry washing inside during the winter, condensation isn't an issue at all.

Thanks everyone - some really helpful stuff!

Piglet - absolutely no make/ model/ brand on the wall extractor which is annoying. The electrician put in for us when he did a re-wire. Im paraphrasing but he suggested it wasn't a cheapy cheap thing and invoice doesnt specify.

Hi TKKW, we have a similar set up. I'm not convinced the fan does a good job after the morning showers. After showering and cleaning we use a Karcher on the tiles and window then leave the window open really wide and close the door for about 10 minutes. Then, before we go out close the window and open the door. This does the trick for us.

Laundry's a problem as we don't have anywhere under cover outside either.

Yes a dehumidifier is on our joint xmas list - lucky old us! Indeed, tonight ive been searching through old threads on MN for which dehumidifier might be best.

Thanks for further comments. Must switch off laptop now as my head is spinning from research.

I brought a dehumidifier recently and it's brilliant. I mainly use it overnight next to clothes rack. Place feels warmer too. I am an open windows person, but there's only so much of that I can do in the winter. My issues mainly caused by drying clothes inside.

I brought top seller on amazon. Lots of good reviews. £130. Place feels much warmer too.

piglet - we've discussed open windows on cold days before, when i said that my experience was that the moisture just condensed on the cold wall and window around the open window, rather than going outside. I have humidity sensors in the kitchen and outside, and, to be honest, at this time of year the outdoor humidity rarely drops below 70%, here, except on hot summer days. It's usually above 80% at this time of year. I'm on the northeast coast, where it tends to be bloody damp, anyhow.

Hence my use of dehumidifiers. Which I will recommend to the OP for when she's having to air dry her delicates. They work wonders.

"outdoor humidity rarely drops below 70%"

Outdoor relative humidity

If you warm that air up, its RH will fall.

We have a massive problem with condensation, probably made worse by not being able to afford to heat the house so any tips for getting rid of it in an unheated house would be appreciated.
Sorry to hijack your thread OP

Ventilation.

No, its fineOcto. Any more ideas I can get are welcomed.

BecooL and ouryve, what are your dehumidifiers?

I have an old house, no extractor, and we used to get mould. Found a thing like a sturdy windscreen wiper (window cleaners use them but my addled brain can't think what they're called) at a car boot and now use it after every shower to dry off the tiles and screen so the water goes down the plughole. Also keeps shower clean . No more mould.

have to agree with continental
I can't quite get my head around trickle vents, I want to keep as much of the nice warm air in as possible.

when I rented a flat in germany attached to the rental contract was an 'airing table' setting more or less out how often and how to air.
I can't find a suitable table on the internet but it was roughly 1 min per hour, so after an 8 hour night open all windows as wide as they go (use dor stoppers) for 8 min. same before bed and once in between if you are home during the day or have washng drying indoors.

"nice warm air" also means "nasty moist air."

After showering are you squeedging ( not a word) the walls and glass?

It makes a huge difference as all that moisture will go down the plug not into the air.

I disagree about opening windows we DO open the window whilst the fan runs and tuck a Towel on the door bottom to stop steam escaping. I tried both methods and it's more effective. You can see the steam pouring out of the window! I leave the window open whilst I get ready then I close window and dry the window with kitchen roll ( then flush down the loo)

I dry the other windows with microfiber towels and straight into washing machine.

The above has brought our condensation right down. I also air the rooms daily, I'm a fan of five mins everyday. We're dual aspect and in a windy spot so it drags the air through well.

"nice warm air" also means "nasty moist air."

not if you open your windows a few times a day to let the moisture out.