Condensation Control

Condensation is caused when air at maximum humidity makes contact with a cold surface. This combination of humidity and temperature is called the dew point. The temperature at which the dew point occurs is dependent on the water content of the air, not on the humidity, as the relative humidity (RH) is only a measure of the ability of air to hold water. Dew point is always at 100% RH. 

In conditions of high water content, condensation will occur on any surface which is cold relative to the surrounding air. These surfaces such as external walls, are usually ones where heat is being conducted through them which makes them cold. Condensation or dew point can be avoided if there are no cold surfaces available for it to happen on. This can be achieved in two ways.

  • Extra heating in the space.
  • Very well insulated surfaces. 

These measures can only go so far in the prevention. As water is continuously produced by the activities of the occupants of the space (breathing, washing, cooking) condensation is inevitable at some point, even on a relatively warm surface. 

The solution is to reduce the water content of the air or get rid of the water-laden air and replace it with fresh air from outside. In our damp winter climate one might think that taking in this cold air would make matters worse.

This will not be the case because external (cold) air in winter may have a high enough %RH but it has low water content and when it is warmed by the exiting air its % RH drops considerably. It now has to collect a lot of water before it reaches 100% RH and dew point again. With the correct level of air change, it will have exited again before reaching 100% and dew point. The solution to condensation problems lies with a three pronged strategy. 

  • A reduction of cold surfaces by means of good insulation.
  • Space heating.
  • Energy efficient ventilation. 

Higher levels of insulation will lead to lower levels of the other two while higher levels of heating and ventilation will compensate for the absence of good insulation. 

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