Condensation a problem
Condensation can cause problems in the home
What is condensation?
Condensation is the result of water vapour cooling inside a house causing droplets of water to form on cool surfaces e.g. windows.
What makes your home damp?
- Hanging clothes to dry indoors
- Drying clothes in an un-vented drier (3L per load)
- Washing clothes (0.5L per load)
- LPG and unflued gas heaters (up to 1L per hour on the high setting)
- Ironing
- Dishwashing (1L per load)
- Cooking (3L per day)
- Showering and bathing (1-2L per person)
- Wet ground under the house
- Watering plants
Breathing by the occupants and pets (1L per person per day)
Ways of reducing condensation
- Reduce the production of water vapour e.g. window open in bathroom and door shut, extraction in bathroom and kitchen.
- Keep rooms ventilated, especially the damp ones.
- Keep the home warm during winter, at least 7°C warmer than outside.
- Insulate ceilings, walls and floors
- Use cupboard heaters in problem wardrobes
- Use properly dried timber during construction e.g. kiln dried
Dry out the air using a dehumidifier
Using Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers remove the moisture from the air and this results in a 2° rise in air temperature.
Points To Consider When Buying a Dehumidifier
- Does it have a humidistat (regulates humidity level in the room)
- Operating noise level
- Number of fan speeds
- How much water can it remove at a given temperature
- Size of water tank
- Ease of use/cleaning of air filter
- Running cost
- Price
Suggested Ways of Using a Dehumidifier
- Start by drying out each room thoroughly - open drawers and wardrobes, close windows and door and leave running with humidistat at maximum.
- Set humidistat at humidity level that suits you and find a central place or move around as required.
- Check water tank regularly
- Clean filters on a regular basis
| Running Cost Based on Meridian Energy’s 24hr tariff March 2009 |
|
|---|---|
| How many amps is the unit? | |
| Amps x Volts | = Watts |
| e.g. 2.6A x 230V | = 598W |
| Watts x cost of 1 unit | = Running Cost |
| .598 x 26.31 cents | = 16 cents hour max |
| NOTE: If a dehumidifier has a heater this will increase the running cost. | |
| e.g. 1600W fan heater | = 42 cents an hour |
| + 16 cents dehumidifier | |
| = 58 cents an hour | |
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