Home Heating 17 June 2020

Top Tips for a Drier (and Healthier) Home

‘Damp’ is one of those dreaded words you don’t want to hear when you’re talking about your home – probably only trumped by ‘subsidence’.

A damp house is often cold, difficult and expensive to heat, susceptible to mould and mildew and worst of all, bad for your family’s health. However, it’s something that can be remedied.

How do I know if my home is damp?

A musty smell in a room that isn’t in constant use can be a quick giveaway of a damp problem. However, it’s usually the discovery of mould or mildew that triggers the damp discussions.

Mould can form on ceilings or walls, or it may be seen behind furniture, mirrors and picture frames up against walls. It can show as mould spots or as watery stains. Often clothing in wardrobes or drawers become damp or mouldy too.

In more advanced cases, there may be rotting wood in window surrounds or flooring edges. A musty smell may also be present under the house.

Tips to keep moisture out of your home.

• Line-dry your washing, rather than drying clothes inside. If it’s raining, use a covered area outside or set up a clothes horse in the garage (with the door/window open).
• If you do use a tumble dryer, ensure it’s vented outside.
• When showering, bathing or cooking, turn on the extractor fan before you start and leave it on a few minutes after you finish. If you don’t have an extractor, open a window. Or do both.
• Consider a dome for over your shower to stop steam forming.
• When cooking, use pot lids (your dinner will cook quicker too!).
  
• Reduce condensation by heating your whole home.
• If condensation forms, wipe off any moisture from windows/walls.
• Include a check for leaks from pipes under the floor and from your roof in your home maintenance.
• Ensure sub-floor vents are clear of plants and other obstructions to allow air to circulate.
• Open the windows for at least a few minutes each day to ventilate the rooms.
• Keep mattresses off the floor – use a bed base for air circulation.

For more information, visit energywise.govt.nz.

Warm air can hold more moisture than cold air, which is why an efficient heating system in your home can put a stop to condensation forming on windows and walls.

Keeping your home warm with insulation and an efficient heating system can improve the effects of ventilation and reduce the risk of mould growth.