Modern Building Services

12 MODERN BUILDING SERVICES AUGUST 2022 W hilst condensation can form throughout the year, it’s the winter months that present the greatest challenge. As temperatures drop, residents turn their heating systems on and naturally close windows to prevent that heat from escaping. This also prevents the moisture from escaping, increasing humidity levels and the risk of condensation. The colder the surface, the more likely condensation is to form, especially during the night when the heating goes off and the temperature drops and the air can no longer contain the moisture and finds all the cold spots to condense. Surface condensation is caused by the high humidity linked to everyday home activities such as cooking, bathing, washing and drying clothes, and even just breathing. Kitchens and bathrooms are usually the most affected areas as moisture levels are typically highest, but condensation can occur in other areas as well, especially in colder rooms. The Institute of Specialist Surveyors and Engineers – a not-for-profit, charitable scientific research and educational organisation – has calculated that if a person stayed indoors, slept, sat, and did housework for seven hours each, the average household of three could produce 4.8 litres / 8.4 pints every day! Risks associated with condensation Condensation isn’t just a nuisance. Excess condensation left within a property can lead to the formation of damp patches and then mould growth. The potential health impacts include asthma, eye irritation, respiratory problems like wheezing and difficulty breathing, chest tightness, cough, throat irritation, skin reactions and rashes, headaches and persistent sneezing. Even more serious problems can result from exposure to mycotoxins – chemicals released by toxic mould. The Building Research Establishment, in its briefing paper ‘The cost of poor housing to the NHS’, estimates that savings to the NHS per annum of £15,585,129 could be made if dampness was fixed in our homes. Condensation also has consequences for the property. Mould and dampness can lead to musty smells, staining, peeling wallpaper, cracked wall surfaces, plaster degradation, warped window frames and even structural damage over time, all of which come at a cost to repair. Condensation forms when the humidity level in the indoor air reaches saturation point and that air comes into contact with a cold surface, turning into liquid water. These cold surfaces are most commonly windows, but can also include ceilings, walls, window sills and the corners of a room that have an external wall, says PaulWilliams , Product Manager at Domus Ventilation. Condensation: A real & present danger, not a damp squib FEATURE AIR CONDITIONING, COOLING & VENTILATION