Window condensation
Nov 20th 2008 | 12:15 am
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 297
From: Whitby
Re: Window condensation
It was minus 12 this morning and the windows in the bedrooms are covered in condensation. The main bedroom it worse. The other windows in the house have a very small amount of condensation.
I have looked on the internet and read all about it but am not really any more clued up, so I would appreciate any suggestions.
Here's the current set up.
We have 2yr old vinyl windows.
The main bedroom has a roller blind that is closed, and about 6in away from the window. North facing. The heating vent was closed.
The other bedroom has a venetian blind that wasn't closed. South facing. Heat was on in this room
The thermostat was set for 15 degrees. We heat the living/dining room with the log stove and have the ceiling fan on to push the air down and around.
The living room has huge floor length lined curtains. These were closed, only a tiny amount of condensation here. South facing.
I don't think we have a humidifier on the furnace.
So, what to do?? More heat?? more curtains??
I have looked on the internet and read all about it but am not really any more clued up, so I would appreciate any suggestions.
Here's the current set up.
We have 2yr old vinyl windows.
The main bedroom has a roller blind that is closed, and about 6in away from the window. North facing. The heating vent was closed.
The other bedroom has a venetian blind that wasn't closed. South facing. Heat was on in this room
The thermostat was set for 15 degrees. We heat the living/dining room with the log stove and have the ceiling fan on to push the air down and around.
The living room has huge floor length lined curtains. These were closed, only a tiny amount of condensation here. South facing.
I don't think we have a humidifier on the furnace.
So, what to do?? More heat?? more curtains??
Nov 20th 2008 | 12:27 am
#18
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 30,771
From: Upstate South Carolina
Re: Window condensation
If you cant get the work done anyway, then its probably not worth the $250 it will cost you.
Nov 20th 2008 | 1:41 am
#19
Thread Starter
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,284
Re: Window condensation
Depends if you have the funds available to do the renovations in the alloted time to recoup the grants that come from having the audit done. The guy who did our place was very good.
If you cant get the work done anyway, then its probably not worth the $250 it will cost you.
If you cant get the work done anyway, then its probably not worth the $250 it will cost you.
The windows are 2 years old and should be fine, there don't seem to be any drafts....
Will get it done in the spring maybe.
In the meantime will sort out a dehumidifier.
Nov 20th 2008 | 2:01 am
#20
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 30,771
From: Upstate South Carolina
Re: Window condensation
We need a new furnace and want to get gas put in instead of oil. I can smell the fumes from the oil, plus I need a gas stove to cook on.
The windows are 2 years old and should be fine, there don't seem to be any drafts....
Will get it done in the spring maybe.
In the meantime will sort out a dehumidifier.
The windows are 2 years old and should be fine, there don't seem to be any drafts....
Will get it done in the spring maybe.
In the meantime will sort out a dehumidifier.
Its just cold...maybe get some of that window film from crappy tire and put a layer up to prevent the room air contacting the glass.
Nov 20th 2008 | 2:08 am
#21
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,883
Re: Window condensation
What he said ^^^ but as well get yourself a decent hygrometer and find out what the humidity levels are.
Nov 20th 2008 | 2:42 am
#24
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 30,771
From: Upstate South Carolina
Re: Window condensation
65! That seems high. Where is it coming from? Ours usually hovers around 40-50% Its reading 43 at the moment. We dont have the humidifier on yet. In the winter proper it can get down to 20 or less if left to itself. Even in the kitchen with pots boiling etc the max its reached is 74%
Last edited by iaink; Nov 20th 2008 at 2:48 am.
Nov 20th 2008 | 2:47 am
#25
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,883
Re: Window condensation
65! That seems high. Where is it coming from? Ours usually hovers around 40-50% Its reading 43 at the moment. We dont have the humidifier on yet. In the winter proper it can get down to 20 or less if left to itself. Even in the kitchen with bots boiling etc the max its reached is 74%
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/trend..._metric_e.html
I don't know what you can do about that.
Nov 20th 2008 | 2:51 am
#26
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 30,771
From: Upstate South Carolina
Re: Window condensation
I think it might be coming from the outside air. I just checked the conditions at the Peterborough Airport and the relative humidity is 77% right now and was as high as 88% overnight.
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/trend..._metric_e.html
I don't know what you can do about that.
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/trend..._metric_e.html
I don't know what you can do about that.
Air at 20 degrees can hold 5 times as much moisture as air at 0 degrees
If you dont have to open those windows the first inexpensive thing to do is to put that hairdryer film up to keep the moist air away from the cold window. Then the second thing is to figure out for sure if you do have a humidifier running in the furnace.
In the apartment we lived in we had no control over the humidity and we had a lot of ice build up on the windows. (didnt think to try the film back then) We also (eventually) had a mould spot in the corner of the bedroom
Last edited by iaink; Nov 20th 2008 at 3:28 am.
Nov 20th 2008 | 2:52 am
#27
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 297
From: Whitby
Re: Window condensation
Reading through the other posts since mine..... we tried everything that you have all mentioned - but the only way we have found over the years is to run the dehumidifier - we had no other option. We live in a modern well insulated house, oil fired burner, lots of full length glass windows. Simple science I guess - cold outside + warm bodies + lots of glass = condensation.
Guess Hubby and I must generate lots of heat and humidity
Guess Hubby and I must generate lots of heat and humidity
Nov 20th 2008 | 3:27 am
#28
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,883
Re: Window condensation
I should have looked somewhere else for a comparison like Calgary...well duh.
Currently 89% humidity and as high as 98% overnight and we have no condensation problems.
