CONDENSATION: single glazed (with trickle-vent) or double glazed?

[LadyArowana]

We had horrible condensation issues in the vaults, even with DG units in the windows. We still had horrible condensation issues with the windows and door open. Running a de-humidifier has stopped it!

Hi,

Please can I ask which type of de-humidifier you use? I've read that Compressor Dehumidifier work better in warmer houses and Desiccant Dehumidifier are better for colder houses? Any advise would be helpful, thank you

I actually run two de-humidifiers. The one in the vault is an old one, reasonably heavy, metal case, has coils at the back behind a screen, they get cold and water runs down into a tray attached a hose as there’s a floor drain. The new one, which works in a similar way but is lighter and quieter is a Meaco. Currently running that on a reservoir. Planning to put it where it can drain into the washing m/c waste if we are away for a while. https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk...cbeLWxVavGFFa-FrRrePKptCvfHpMAwxoCohgQAvD_BwE

 

[88v8]

I think the issue is central heating, a large family, not a lot of ventilation in the kitchen, drying washing inside etc...downstairs seems to be fine. No issues with condensation on any of the downstiars windows but EVERY window upstairs streams with water....

I will have a look at desiccant dehumidifiers...

Desiccant... waste of time. Might be worth putting inside a classic car or the winter, that's about it. Once it is saturated, you have to dry the desiccant again before it will work. How are you going to dry it? In the house?

We have two compressor dehumidifiers, they run 24/7. Ebac 2650. Not expensive. Had them for years. Might find second-hand on eBay like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185100643620?hash=item2b18dbad24:g:4UYAAOSwXPdhZAyS, but not expensive new.

DG... we have 6mm units made of wonky handmade glass, pricey but they look way better than SG float. They reduce condensation, however they do not eliminate it.

But before you spend money on DG...
Kitchen needs an extractor fan.
Bathroom needs an extractor fan.
Do not dry washing indoors.
Turn down the heating in the bedrooms, especially if they have no fireplaces for ventilation.
It sounds rather as if you are creating the problem....

Ivor

 

[worms]

Ivor, in this context, we are talking about desiccant wheel dehumidifiers - the desiccant coated wheel absorbs water, but it is spun off by centrifugal force as the wheel spins. So the desiccant in these machines remains capable of absorbing more water as long as the wheel is spinning. This is totally different from the small desiccant boxes that you might leave in a cupboard (or classic car), where the desiccant needs to be dried out again every so often after it has absorbed water from the atmosphere.

The benefit of the desiccant wheel dehumidifier is that they continue to work at lower temperatures, where the refrigerant type no longer works. They potentially also can consume less power. since the desiccant wheel spinning on a bearing, takes less power to run it than a compressor and pump in the refrigerant dehumidifier.

 

[d49xc]

@worms has it spot on
I have a meaco zambezi desiccant wheel type unit operating in a lowish temperature place and it works very well.
It was bought precisely becasue these type work better in lower temperatures.
Of course it is the lower temperatures which cause the water in the air to condensate out as water droplets in the first place.

 

[chippy1]

Hi All,


Lots of ideas and something for me to work on.....thank you everyone for your comments!

Desiccant Dehumidifier...check!, Double Glazing (or a air tight secondary glazing unit (which would keep planning happy) that keeps the hot and cold air apart!)....check! Turn down heating in bedrooms and air vents in kitchen!


Thanks again appreciate all the comments

 

[tobydog]

Hi chippy1. We have learnt that October/November is one of the worst times of the year for window condensation. As the days get colder and drier we find it's nowhere near as bad in January/February.

When we first moved in it was a sole destroying job trying to work out how to collect all the water being created. That's when I found the Karcher window vac. It saved my life and is still my favourite gadget .

We have a very good desiccant dehumidifier, however, since fitting correct fans, removing cement indoors and drying out the massive inglenook, I haven't used it for three or four years now except when we have a houseful of people and that hasn't happened much recently

The window vax won't fix your cause but it will definitely make life far more bearable at this time of year.

 

[chippy1]

Hi chippy1. We have learnt that October/November is one of the worst times of the year for window condensation. As the days get colder and drier we find it's nowhere near as bad in January/February.

When we first moved in it was a sole destroying job trying to work out how to collect all the water being created. That's when I found the Karcher window vac. It saved my life and is still my favourite gadget .

We have a very good desiccant dehumidifier, however, since fitting correct fans, removing cement indoors and drying out the massive inglenook, I haven't used it for three or four years now except when we have a houseful of people and that hasn't happened much recently

The window vax won't fix your cause but it will definitely make life far more bearable at this time of year.

thank you tobydog.......the sad thing is, no matter what I do to the house to make it look nice, all you see when walking up the garden path is windows streaming with water and condensation blocking out any possible view. I'm willing to try everything to get it sorted!

thanks again for your reply

 

[88v8]

Ivor, in this context, we are talking about desiccant wheel dehumidifiers - the desiccant coated wheel absorbs water, but it is spun off by centrifugal force as the wheel spins.

Aha!
I sit corrected.

Our Ebacs collect about half a gallon per day, each, but our RH is high at this time of year, around 65%.

Yes, forgot the Karcher. Another daily device.
As Tobydog said, condensation is at its worst now, as the humidity is high. When we've lit the fires for a few weeks it will come down, although still not really dry.

I recall in my parent's house, built 1950ish, living there in the 60s and the water streaming down the Critalls in my bedroom. It's a period feature, unfortunately.

....air vents in kitchen!

Vents are good but extractor is better.

If you don't have any, it will be worth buying a few hygrometers and scattering them around the house. That way you can identify the sources of the damp and track your improvements.
This sort of thing https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275018074086?hash=item40085ac7e6:g:rVoAAOSwUbFhQLwG&amdata=enc%3AAQAGAAACUPYe5NmHp%252B2JMhMi7yxGiTJkPrKr5t53CooMSQt2orsSlHY%252FYTip4QFVjNQrCEJt6jczAAu12tTlAGGLd40axpb9gT1ALzjBm%252BTRNNX3oahpGwILJhIeUCqaIBJKrvqAZZ5QWTNG8d%252B5ngSkflZeI1LfzsmclxVKeqYXWVEGq2upUioazLBrDfPefRq7HqM4qwGKy5BtJRD0xW%252BurxRezdJhtPXpN2TeZiHXEIjIxYCm4q6oIHWAM2xVntqOl6GfZ%252FlHzo0%252Ffd66QFi%252FlgaBUqDjGJudk%252FXW%252FuHT%252F%252BSBmPrDdhdnW%252BbHSq8c1plYu3LTNeZWB5%252BwiRjICIXQIHOv1Jl4PJw4silBiR17fLFlSHQgBkNOl7NaGcZAhnyF2emWyv3l4kgwODcIXGzHzkz7zIoEmrZ6QyOSnp954ZpPQjgPwdEPJlfDJyufoepspOGh0J8Q%252FBcxd3BdFP6YiWoVcLaW4ThXmTJD75l9YXtz7aiEEsSFS3fpaH4OGxuUExJdPtrb30yGsYUmmOFwS76uBDQr%252BMleslMbyTJryHmQvkve29ewi3Lch6Y4nrzrLph1Mw6ccgKQhh2Y7W15cOu3xXUyAE8C8XQM0aYf49uDK%252BqjRgQfqHe7csbLwsKBtvCUUtwb2D6GdYzhZLLjkJwx%252Bt3SFycoaZeuDYezxl0I707VTdKL6EW4iFfBtUxy8cRUYuWm1qxjZBcOKqp5%252FH%252FV0KnBxaw9q3MCrc1YCV0rFfEQFxQ9YqTbbaTCbj5w%252F6OuTnf8MlJXV5evBhnAD1RWsmc%253D%7Cclp%3A2334524%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5LO2KSfXw
Quick, just £3.

Ivor