Ventilation Megastore logoVentilation Megastore logo
Ventilation Megastore logo
Menu
Menu
Log In
Cart
BUILD YOUR SYSTEM
Log In
Basket

Having a constant stream of fresh air is important in every household to help prevent illness, condensation, damp and mould.

While there are many options available to improve ventilation, the advantages of whole house ventilation using a mechanical heat recovery system is often the most effective choice…read on to find out why!

Why do we need ventilation?

Ventilation is the process of removing polluted, stale air from a room and supplying fresh, clean air from outside. This can be done by natural or mechanical ventilation, or a combination of the two.

In 2023, 3.8% of homes in England have some form of damp problem - equating to approximately 912,000 households. What’s more, the NHS estimates that it could save up to £38 million a year on treating patients with damp and mould-related illnesses, if issues were rectified.

Mould and damp is caused by condensation - when humid air comes into contact with cold surfaces to form water droplets. It typically occurs when temperatures drop overnight, resulting in us often waking up with water droplets on our windows (and sometimes walls and ceilings), mainly in winter months.

Good ventilation will help to reduce condensation by removing the moist air from your home before it has a chance to settle on a cool surface. As well as causing damage to your property which may be costly to repair, damp and mould can also have serious effects on your health - especially to individuals with underlying respiratory conditions, such as asthma.

Different types of ventilation

Depending on your home and budget, there are different solutions for increased ventilation that you can adopt, but they vary in their effectiveness.

Natural ventilation

Rather than using any sort of mechanical element to push air around, natural ventilation relies solely on gaps in the building fabric, combined with any trickle vents or air bricks that may have been installed.

Natural ventilation can also be supplemented by opening windows and doors, however this is often only done in the warmer weather.

This type of ventilation is the cheapest and simplest option, and because of this, there are quite a few drawbacks. 

Trickle vents don’t let much air flow unless it’s windy and they can produce a through-draught, whereas opening doors and windows to the outside can quickly make a home cold in winter. In the summer months, this method will likely let in lots of pollen and insects, and can also let in other pollutants from outside such as vehicle fumes.

opening window

Extractor fans

Extractor fans are one step up from natural ventilation, and have a simple mechanical element involved. In most houses, they’re typically located in rooms that generate more water vapour, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

They are effective in controlling moisture within the rooms that they are positioned in, however they also suck out the warm air that rises to the ceiling and they are relatively limited in the area they can cover. If you leave a door open after a bath or shower and water vapour escapes, it will travel around the house and can increase moisture levels in areas the extractor fan can’t reach.

While it’s essential to have extractor fans in your home, often these aren’t enough to completely reduce levels of moisture.

Mechanical ventilation heat recovery (whole house ventilation)

Mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR) systems are modern, efficient units that provide ventilation to an entire house.

Unit home V2

MVHR systems will ensure that condensation (and therefore damp and mould that can follow) doesn’t become an issue in your home, by removing all moisture-laden air and replacing it with filtered, heated air from outside.

As well as removing moisture, MVHR will also remove any harmful irritants in the air such as germs and pollen, causing illness and hay fever. They are also energy efficient, using no more than extractor fans because the built-in heat exchanger recovers warmth from outgoing air to heat the fresh air coming into the building. This means that it’s highly efficient, and helps to reduce your heating bills.


Are you interested in reducing condensation and helping your family to stay fit and healthy? Get in touch with our team of experts today to find out more.

As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to provide high-quality, damp-free housing for your tenants, and to ensure that your property is kept in good repair. 

However, this can prove tricky because condensation can be a major contributor to mould and damp problems. If left unresolved, it can lead to severe (and very costly!) damage to housing.

What’s more, there are some upcoming changes to legislation with the introduction of Awaab’s Law, which means that landlords may soon have increased responsibilities to resolve damp and mould issues in a timely manner.

What can condensation lead to?

Condensation is when water vapour in the air forms droplets on a cold surface, such as walls and ceilings. It’s typically caused by common household activities such as cooking, bathing and washing, but even people breathing can contribute.

Unfortunately for landlords, it is the most common cause of mould in domestic properties. While condensation itself isn’t a big issue, if it’s not dealt with properly, it can result in damp patches developing which then encourages mould growth.

Damp patches can also cause damage to the fabric of a building, and create an environment where dust mites and mould can thrive - which can negatively affect the health of anyone living in the property.

condensation

Work with your tenants to reduce condensation

Even though, in most cases, it is the people living in the property who are causing the condensation, it is your responsibility as the landlord to deal with damp and mould problems as soon as possible. 

This is why it’s important to work with your tenants to prevent the amount of condensation that they produce. In turn, it should help to prevent these issues from developing, saving you time and money!

Here are a few recommendations you can make to your tenants:

By asking your tenants to regularly keep a look out for mould and damp patches, not only will this help to keep them safe and healthy, but it should also minimise repair costs if it’s caught early enough.

Even though these are simple steps, tenants may still not oblige so you may need to take matters into your own hands by improving ventilation throughout the property. This is especially advisable for high-value rental property, where a good ventilation system may be an expected commodity.

How much could mould and damp cost me?

If damp is not dealt with in a timely manner, a room may need to be replastered, as the water vapour can cause significant damage that cannot be patch-repaired. 

According to Rated People, plastering a single room could set you back anywhere between £500 to £1,500, depending on its size.

Toxic mould, however, needs to be removed professionally as it is hazardous to human health, and therefore can be similarly costly too. Checkatrade states that the average cost of removing mould from a whole house in 2023 was £1,200.

Prevention is better than a cure

It may be a common saying, but in this case it really is true - prevention is better than a cure when it comes to condensation. The most effective way to prevent condensation (and subsequently mould and damp) is to improve airflow.

Make sure that you have good quality, effective extractor fans installed in all areas of the home that generate considerable water vapour, such as kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms. Fans will remove a good amount of moisture in the air before it is able to spread into the rest of the home.

However, the most effective way to remove water vapour (and any other harmful pollutants) is whole house ventilation. A mechanical heat recovery ventilation (MVHR) system will circulate filtered air from outside into the property while removing moisture-laden air, preventing condensation from building up. 

The additional benefit of a MVHR system is that it provides fresh heated air, meaning that it will also help to keep the home warm in winter months. We often find that installing a whole house ventilation unit is considerably cheaper than repairing damage caused by mould and damp, and it also helps the property to feel fresher, healthier and all-round more pleasant to be in!


If you’re a landlord and interested in protecting your property with a ventilation system, get in touch with our team of experts today!

Modern houses are designed to be more energy efficient to save owners money on their bills, meaning that they typically have high-quality insulation within the walls and roof to prevent heat loss, as well as effective double glazed windows to prevent heat from escaping.

While these improvements in efficiency are great at saving us money, they also make newer homes more airtight - meaning that without effective ventilation, humidity and air pollution levels can rise quickly. This increases the risk of condensation and damp, which can quickly lead to mould.

Why does insulation cause condensation to increase?

Condensation forms when the air temperature in the home falls below the ‘dew point’, meaning that the air can no longer hold as much water vapour and it needs somewhere else to go. When this happens, usually when the air meets a cold surface such as a wall or window, the water vapour is deposited, creating condensation.

As a well-insulated, efficient home is able to retain its heat better, there typically will be smaller differences in temperature during the day and night. This means that there is less opportunity for air to come into contact with colder surfaces - which is good news!

However, there is one downside - the flow of air is significantly reduced in a well-insulated, airtight property. This can result in humidity levels rising even quicker, meaning that the dew point of the water can actually become higher - so condensation can form at a higher temperature.

SuperFOIL Insulation

Insulation and ventilation are perfect partners

The most effective way to prevent condensation and mould is by using controlled ventilation. Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) units work by drawing in fresh air from outside to displace the humid air from indoors, working with extractor fans to combat indoor air pollution.

Our Business Development Executive, Joe Murray, said:

“The downside of making your home more airtight is that you’ll retain more indoor air pollution and could generate more condensation. As a result, we’re seeing more and more people come to us for ventilation solutions after improving their insulation.

“By investing in an efficient ventilation system, you’ll be provided with a constant stream of fresh, clean air in your home while pollutants are filtered out.”If you’re suffering from increased condensation, or have recently invested in efficient insulation and are worried about the lack of ventilation, then get in touch with our team of experts today for a no-obligation consultation.

Condensation forms when warm, moist air cools quickly. The warmer the air in your home, the more water vapour it can hold. When the temperature then drops - usually at night - it cannot hold as much moisture, so droplets will form on cooler surfaces such as windows and walls.

Without good ventilation to keep the air circulating and remove humid air, all houses can be prone to condensation. However, these problems tend to be more present in older homes.

Why are old houses more likely to develop condensation?

A warmer house will typically have less condensation because the air doesn’t reach the dew point as frequently, causing less water vapour to turn into liquid.

Newer, more modern houses are required to be more airtight and energy efficient to comply with strict building regulations. This means that these properties are likely to have more insulation, and will be better at retaining heat.

Newer homes, if built to specification, generally feature double glazing, thick insulation in the loft, and dual-skinned walls with cavity insulation. This setup helps prevent heat loss through walls, ceilings, and the roof, keeping stable internal temperatures compared to older houses.

Older homes were built when building regulations weren’t as strict, and therefore tend to have considerably lower levels of insulation throughout. This is especially the case if your home was built before the 1920s, when solid walls were commonplace, meaning there’s no insulation or airflow within the wall to retain heat and prevent damp.

Unfortunately for owners, this means that ceilings, windows and walls will be cooler, and the overall air temperature will fall faster once the heating is switched off - meaning it’s more likely that condensation will be able to form.

old house

Could I be at risk of serious problems as a result?

Without good insulation and ventilation, condensation is more likely to become a major issue in older homes - especially around windows. While modern houses have UPVC window frames, older properties typically have windows made from wood which can be permeated by water. Even if your window looks ok on the outside, there could still be rot and mould lurking beneath the surface.

Older homes can also suffer from damp build-up in walls, as moisture can soak through the paint and reach the plaster, which then can result in damp patches arising. These patches are likely to cause the plaster to crumble and encourage mould to grow. If left unnoticed, it can turn into a very expensive repair job and a serious health risk.

How can I stop this from happening in my home?

In both new and old homes, the best way to reduce condensation is to improve ventilation - particularly in those rooms where it is more likely to occur, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

The first step is to ensure that you have modern, effective extractor fans to remove moisture at its source and prevent it from spreading throughout the property. The most efficient types tend to be those that are motion sensored, which will start and stop on their own, depending on humidity levels.

Extractor fans are absolutely essential, but it’s also a great idea to invest in a mechanical heat recovery ventilation system (MVHR) to further improve your ventilation, while helping to keep your home warm at the same time.

MVHR units will remove the humid, moist air from your home and replace it with fresh, filtered air from outside. It’ll also recover heat energy from the property and transfer it into the new incoming air via a heat exchanger, helping to reduce those heating bills at the same time.

Are you worried about the effect of condensation on your older property? We can help! Get in touch today for a free, no obligation consultation.

During winter, most people will start to see condensation build up on their windows when they wake up in the morning. Understanding condensation is really important in order to prevent damp and mould from taking over your home, so we've put together a handy list of our most-asked questions:

Why am I suddenly getting condensation every morning?

Many of us often wake up to condensation on our windows in the morning, especially in the colder winter months. Overnight, the condensation will build up and can create small pools of water on your window sill and window panes.

The reason for this is because cold air can’t hold as much moisture as warmer air. Moisture settles on the coldest parts of the room, which is typically the windows. As the temperature drops overnight, the internal surface will become colder, which means the moisture will be drawn there - forming condensation.

Most of us (understandably) will turn the heating down or off overnight to save money on energy bills. This, combined with the fact that temperatures typically drop overnight, is the reason that you’ll likely notice condensation first thing in the morning.

Condensation can also be significantly worse in the bedroom as opposed to other areas of the house - but each person will expel an average of 40g of water vapour during the night too, which greatly adds to moisture levels in the air. 

Is condensation harmful?

Condensation itself is not harmful to you, as it is just water. However, it can lead to problems that may affect you in the future if you’re not careful.

On non-porous surfaces such as tiles or windows, condensation will just remain visible and can be wiped away with a cloth. However, if it sits on porous surfaces such as wood and plaster, the moisture will be absorbed into the material, which can create a damp problem over time.

These damp patches create ideal environments for mould to grow and thrive, which can then lead to health problems. If toxic black mould is allowed to develop, it can affect the airways - causing breathing difficulties and worsening other health problems such as asthma.

If black mould appears in your home, it’s important to get rid of it as soon as possible to prevent it from spreading even further. We’d recommend hiring a professional to do this, as inhaling the spores can be dangerous.

condensation

Should I wipe condensation from my windows?

The simple answer to this question is yes - if you notice condensation on your windows, tiles or window sills, then it’s advisable to wipe it off as soon as you notice it to prevent damp and mould patches. 

If you have wooden window sills and frames, it’s definitely recommended, as the condensation could lead to permanent damage if left alone. To do this, we’d advise using an absorbent, reusable microfibre cloth to soak up the water and reduce smears in the process (as no one wants extra cleaning to do!).

If it’s a warmer, sunny day, and your house doesn’t have wooden window frames or sills, then it’s not always necessary to wipe off the condensation. The heat from the sun will likely encourage the wet patches to evaporate by themselves. 

It's always best to open a window if it’s not too chilly to prevent the moisture being trapped inside your home. Many more modern houses now have small vents installed within the windows, which can help to expel moisture from the house without letting in too much of the cold air in the process. However, this will make your home colder and the small trickle vents only have a minor impact.

Whilst wiping the condensation will help in the short term, preventative measures are always the best way to combat excess moisture for good.

Does keeping my heating on stop condensation?

By keeping your home warm during winter, you can reduce condensation and damp. The best way to do this is by programming your thermostat - according to British Gas, the ideal home temperature is between 18 and 21°C. Typically, bedrooms should be on the cooler end at 18°C, with living areas slightly warmer at 20-21°C, depending on your personal preferences.

By ensuring an adequate amount of heating within your home, you can  prevent internal surface temperatures dropping too significantly, which will reduce the chances of condensation forming. Bear in mind that if you have poor insulation or single-glazed windows, it’s worth considering upgrading these - as it will be a major contributor to the property’s heat loss.

Does opening my windows help to prevent condensation?

Opening windows can significantly contribute to reducing moisture levels within the home and increasing ventilation, as it will allow fresh air to enter the property and humid, moisture laden air to escape. 

Breathing is one of the main causes of condensation, so if you’re using a room frequently, it’s worth cracking open a window. However, in colder winter months, this can be tricky - as homeowners are understandably reluctant to open windows when they’re spending so much money on heating bills.

Always make sure to use extractor fans when in the kitchen or bathroom to allow moisture to escape this way, and consider opening windows when you’re having a bath or shower - with the warmer air being produced by the hot water, it shouldn’t make the room unbearably cold.

If you’re reluctant to open windows and let the heat out, then read on to learn more about an effective, alternative fix!

window with water drops closeup

How else can I stop condensation in winter?

As we’ve said, the best way to combat condensation, damp and mould is by increasing the ventilation within your home to allow the moist, humid air to escape, and let fresh air from outside enter the property. But how can you have good ventilation without making your house cold?

A Mechanical Heat Ventilation Recovery (MVHR) unit is the perfect solution.

MVHR is a relatively simple system, allowing fresh air to circulate in and stale air to circulate out. This process not only maintains air quality but also promotes energy efficiency and sustainability too. It operates by recovering the heat from extracted air and using it to heat the fresh air that is circulated into your home.

The MVHR system extracts stale, moist air from the interior spaces of a building, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms, and replaces it with clean, fresh air from the outside through a duct network that runs through the entire building.

Find out more how these fantastic, innovative systems work in our blog.


Interested in investing in MVHR to improve your home and reduce energy bills? Get in touch with our expert team today for a free, no obligation consultation.

The cold, wintery weather often tempts homeowners to try and preserve as much heat as possible inside their homes, which means that moisture-laden air produced by everyday activities has nowhere to escape to, with windows and doors (understandably) remaining closed.

Unfortunately, due to the large difference in temperature between the cold exterior and warm interior of your home, houses are much more prone to condensation and damp in the colder months. However, there is a solution to keep you warm whilst preventing condensation from forming…but before we explain, it’s important to understand what causes condensation and why it’s a problem.

What causes damp and condensation in winter?

There are several different causes of damp and condensation in winter - with each of your efforts to keep your household warm likely contributing.

In order to preserve as much heat as possible, homeowners are a lot more likely to keep their windows and doors closed during the winter months. Unfortunately, this ensures that any moisture created throughout the day - such as from showering, washing, bathing or cooking - will remain trapped inside. As a result, the moisture in the air will then be able to condense and settle on surfaces.

People also tend to invest in draught excluders for the winter months to keep any chilly air from the outside that may slip through gaps and into the home. This also means that any interior humidity and moisture won’t be able to escape through these ‘plugged’ gaps, and will be confined to the building.

In winter, you’re much more likely to have your traditional heating systems on full blast, such as fires and radiators. Whilst it keeps your household warm, it also results in increased water vapour in the air, which can then condense onto cooler surfaces such as windows.

condensation

It’s important to keep damp and condensation to a minimum

Although you may think that condensation is more of an annoying inconvenience to deal with, it can actually cause major problems to your home if you’re not careful.

If causes of damp and condensation are not addressed, it can cause substantial damage to properties and may even result in a hefty bill to replace any affected plasterwork, window frames and door frames. If allowed to damage wooden frames, the fibres within the wood can spread apart, allowing more moisture to soak in - which may then freeze, causing the wood to split.

Treating wood rot is not an easy task, and will often require a professional to carry out expensive remedial works. Condensation can also result in peeling paint and plaster, which again, is not easy to fix and can cause homeowners some serious problems - especially if you ever want to sell up and move home.

Damp and condensation also lead to mould and fungus, which can be a serious health risk.

How can I reduce condensation whilst staying warm?

Luckily for all homeowners, there IS a simple solution to staying warm, whilst also keeping moisture and humidity in your home to a minimum.

At Ventilation Megastore, we are experts in providing Mechanical Heat Recovery Ventilation (MVHR) for your home - allowing you to have access to fresh, filtered (and heated!) air.

An MVHR system will remove the moist, humid air from your home and replace it with fresh, filtered air from outside. Heat energy from the property is also recovered, and then transferred to the fresh incoming air via a heat exchanger - meaning that the fresh air is also heating your home too, which is vital in the colder months (and will save you money on those heating bills!).

By removing the moisture laden air from your house before it has a chance to settle, this will dramatically reduce any dampness and condensation from occurring, whilst allowing you to keep those windows and doors firmly shut. 


Are you interested in investing in an energy-efficient MVHR unit? Get in touch with our team of experts today for a free consultation.

There are many different reasons why your bathroom may be stuffy and humid, with one of the most common culprits being damp and mould, which thrives in moist environments.

Damp in bathrooms can cause potential damage to your home’s structure, as well as creating a breeding ground for nasty smells. Most damp and mould patches that form on bathroom walls and ceilings are caused by high humidity levels, resulting in condensation forming.

Not to worry though! We have some simple solutions to help to restore your bathroom into a fresh, safe environment for you and your family. 

Firstly, you need to find out the cause

If you’ve found a damp or mould patch in your bathroom, you need to firstly figure out where it’s coming from and why. Most of the time, damp and mould is caused by condensation, but it can be caused by leaking pipes too.

The best way to tell the difference between the two is how it looks. Look for any stains on the walls or ceiling, as this could be a sign of leaking water. If the damp patch is brown or beige in colour, it is likely to be a result of a leaking pipe or hole which should be repaired by a plumber as soon as possible.

However, if your damp patch is without a stain and has mould growing, it’s much more likely that it’s caused by condensation. If this is the case, improving ventilation is the most effective way to stop condensation in its tracks. 

To prevent damp and mould, condensation must go

Condensation in your bathroom is caused by steam, which is produced when you have a shower or bath. If your bathroom is poorly ventilated, the water droplets in the steam will quickly condense onto colder surfaces such as walls, ceilings and mirrors.

You should always make sure that your bathroom extractor fan is on throughout your bath or shower, as this will help to reduce humidity by removing moisture-rich air and transporting it outside of the home.

Whilst extractor fans are effective, you will often still find that you’re battling condensation even with the fan in use - which is where ventilation systems come in….but more about that later!

Bathroom

Steps to help reduce condensation further

Ventilation is the most effective way to reduce condensation and damp, however, there are some additional steps you can take to help too:

Wipe down your surfaces

Ventilation is fantastic at removing moisture within the air, however, it cannot expel any condensation that has already formed on walls, ceilings and mirrors. 

You can help with this by wiping down all surfaces with condensation after your bath or shower using an absorbent cloth, a towel or a squeegee.

Keep your door closed while in the bath or shower

By keeping your bathroom door shut whenever you’re in the bath or shower, this will prevent the moisture-laden air from escaping into other parts of your home, as this could cause mould in other areas too - which is the last thing we want!

Open those windows

If you can cope with it (not easy in colder months we know), then try to have a window open whilst you’re bathing and for a while afterwards. This will work hand-in-hand with your extractor fan to prevent the chance of mould spores from landing and growing.

Wash your towels and bath mats regularly

Shower curtains, bath mats and towels can quickly become a breeding ground for mildew and mould. Make sure to wash them regularly - at least once a week - to help prevent this from happening.

Don’t leave your towels on the floor after your bath or shower, as mould can start to multiply in as little as 24 hours.

Prevention is the way forward

Ultimately, the best way to battle nasty smells in your bathroom is to invest in an efficient, effective ventilation system. 

A mechanical heat recovery ventilation (MVHR) system will extract stale, moist air from the interior spaces of a building, such as bathrooms, and replace it with clean, fresh air from the outside.

The system will pull in fresh air from outside and pass it through a heat exchanger, whilst using the extracted stale air to heat the fresh air. This process warms the incoming air, meaning that you’ll save money on heating bills in the long run too.


Get in touch with our friendly experts today for more information.

Unfortunately, mould and damp can be common in private rental properties, usually due to a lack of ventilation.

If you notice mould occurring, it is important to firstly report this to your landlord - as it is something that they should be aware of and should actively try to resolve to prevent it becoming a health hazard. 

By informing them at the earliest opportunity, you’ll give the landlord the best chance of tackling the problem and identifying the cause before it takes hold.

Make sure to keep a record of where the damp/mould is, whether it is worse when you take a bath/shower for example and the temperature of your home. Don’t forget to take photos too, as this can help to determine the best solution.

How to break the mould

Once you have reported the mould in your property (and taken pictures!), it’s important to get rid of it quickly to reduce the chances of it causing health problems for you and your family.

You’ll firstly need to ensure that it’s not toxic black mould, as this should only be removed professionally for your safety.

Once you’re happy that it’s safe to clean, purchase a fungicidal cleaner or make your own by diluting bleach with a ratio of 1:6 with water. Always remember to wear safety protection whilst cleaning too, such as gloves, a mask and glasses.

Spray your cleaner on the area and leave it for a minute or two to work, before wiping away with a clean cloth. Rinse the cloth regularly, and keep changing the water. Once you’ve finished, make sure that the cloths are washed on a hot cycle to remove all of the germs!

mould on window

No mould? We’ll help you to keep it that way!

Condensation causes damp and mould to form, and is most commonly found in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms due to the higher levels of moisture.

If your property is free from mould, then here’s our advice to make sure it stays that way and keep condensation at bay:

Maintain a constant temperature

Ideally, you want to try to keep your rooms between 18 degrees celsius and 21 degrees celsius when the temperature outside is freezing or just below. 

Although your landlord is responsible for providing adequate heating that is as efficient as possible, you’ll need to ensure that you’re playing your part too, in order to maintain the heat levels in colder winter months.

Ensure that it’s well ventilated

Ventilation is absolutely essential to reducing condensation, and therefore damp and mould as a result. It’s a good idea to open windows on opposite sides of the property whenever you can to make sure there’s a good flow of air throughout.

Try to open windows after a bath or shower to ensure that fresh air is getting into the property, and not just trapping in the moisture. Similarly, if you’re drying laundry inside, keep a window or door open in that room. When cooking, try to cover your saucepans to reduce the amount of steam escaping.

Make suggestions to your landlord - they may thank you for it in the long run!

Landlords are legally responsible for treating some damp problems - mainly those that relate to either repair problems, structural issues, or those that are impacting the tenants health.

It can be difficult to pinpoint who is responsible when it comes to condensation and damp, as occasionally, it can be down to tenants - hence why we’ve provided you with our advice to help prevent it!

Wherever possible, landlords should try to invest in preventative methods - such as whole-home ventilation - to stop the issues from developing. Here’s a list of things that you can recommend:

Improve the property’s ventilation

By installing a heat recovery ventilation system to ventilate the whole property, this will combat condensation and the associated health risks with mould, plus improve efficiency and energy bills in the long run.

Investing in an efficient ventilation unit will likely save a landlord money too over time, as it will reduce any chances of severe structural issues caused by dampness. You will also be happier, as they will be living in a mould-free, more environmentally-friendly home.

Damp defence options

There are many products on the market that will help to fight and prevent damp from occurring - such as anti-mould washes and anti-mould paints. Anti-mould paints can be used to prevent mould returning, and are a great idea for rental properties.

Invest in good insulation

Since 2018, it became a requirement for all rental properties to have a minimum energy performance rating of E. By improving insulation, landlords can not only help to comply with this law, but also keep the property warmer. 

This in turn will encourage tenants to open windows and allow fresh air in, as the warmth will enable them to do so. For sustainable insulation, visit our partner company, SuperFOIL Insulation.

Are you a landlord looking to invest in ventilation? If so, get in touch with our team of experts for free, no-obligation advice.

Understanding condensation

Condensation occurs when warm, moist air comes into contact with a colder surface - forming due to temperature differences and high humidity levels. This process leads to the formation of water droplets on surfaces such as windows, mirrors, or walls.

When warm air meets a colder surface, it cools down rapidly, causing moisture in the air to condense into water droplets. Additionally, high humidity levels increase the likelihood of condensation as moisture-saturated air releases excess water vapour when it encounters a colder surface. 

Understanding why condensation occurs can help you manage and prevent it from forming in your living or working environment. 

Effects of condensation

Condensation can have several effects on your living or working space. Excessive condensation can lead to water damage - such as peeling paint, rotting wood, or mould growth. These issues can compromise the structural integrity of your space and affect indoor air quality.

Additionally, mould and mildew thrive in damp environments caused by condensation, which can pose health risks such as allergies and respiratory problems. 

Condensation

Preventing condensation

To prevent condensation and its associated problems, consider the following solutions: 

1. Proper Ventilation

Ventilation is the single most impactful way to prevent condensation and its associated problems. Adequate ventilation in areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms is absolutely essential, but other rooms of the house should also have ventilation so that humid air and vapour can escape. 

Using extractor fans and open windows is a good first step, but whole-house ventilation systems are a simple and cost-effective way to solve your condensation problems in an instant.

 2. Insulation

Insulation can be a double-edged sword in dealing with condensation. Properly insulating your space will minimise temperature differences between the interior and exterior surfaces. This helps reduce the likelihood of condensation forming on cold surfaces. However, insulation can also prevent air and water vapour from escaping. The best solution is to improve insulation and ventilation, hand-in-hand. 

Looking for effective, efficient insulation? Check out our partner, SuperFOIL. 

SuperFOIL Insulation

To prevent heat from being lost through the ventilation and to improve the energy efficiency of your home, heat recovery ventilation systems (MVHR) will help to push the vapour out and keep the warmth in.

3. Control humidity

Dehumidifiers can help to maintain optimal humidity levels in specific areas but dehumidifiers are not as effective or as efficient as most types of ventilation. A dehumidifier can be used to complement the work of ventilation systems but they shouldn’t be thought of as a long-term solution.

As well as the steps above, you can also reduce condensation by monitoring indoor plants, drying clothes outdoors when possible, and ensuring you have good ventilation when doing activities that generate excess moisture, such as exercising or cooking.

By understanding the causes and effects of condensation and implementing preventive measures such as proper ventilation and humidity control, you can create a comfortable, condensation-free environment. 


Is your space suffering from condensation? Ventilation Megastore is here to assist you. Feel free to get in touch with our team for further guidance.

Mould in your home can become a danger to your health, and is often a sign that there is a damp problem that needs to be resolved before it causes severe damage to both you and your property.

Essentially, mould is a type of fungus which grows and spreads through microscopic spores that are then released into the air (which means if mould is in your home, then you’re breathing it in!). These spores can travel over long distances until they find somewhere to grow - typically in areas of poor airflow such as windows. 

Beware, it only takes a few spores to settle for mould to form - and it will continue to develop until it’s completely cleaned and removed.

Where will mould typically form?

Most commonly, you’ll find mould in the dampest places within your home - such as bathrooms. This is due to water vapour being released into the air when we have a bath or shower. If the room isn’t ventilated enough, the vapour will condense and eventually form damp patches.

Condensation is one of the most common causes of damp in the home - and it is this damp that unfortunately provides the perfect breeding ground for mould.

Condensation on a window

Without proper ventilation, mould will grow due to the build-up of condensation. This typically will occur from regular daily activities, such as drying clothes indoors, showering and cooking - all of which adds moisture into the air.

Another common cause of mould is humidity, and this is the reason that mould is primarily found in kitchens and bathrooms where steam is produced from cooking and showering. This steam then causes more humid conditions in these areas of the home in comparison to other rooms.

If you already have mould in your home, it can spread quickly so you need to act fast! At first, it can be hard to see, but within three weeks, it’ll have spread to a point where you can clearly see these patches on your walls.

Toxic black mould can be harmful - keep your eyes peeled!

As we mentioned at the start of this blog, mould can be very damaging to your health - so please don’t ignore it! Some species, known as ‘toxic black mould’ can be particularly hazardous, releasing chemicals - known as mycotoxins - and need to be removed by a professional.

Those who have conditions such as asthma, and individuals with weaker immune systems, can be greatly affected by mould - so if anyone in your household fits this criteria, it’s even more important to be vigilant.

Mould in the home

Typical symptoms as a result of mould includes wheezing, coughing, allergic reactions, sneezing, worsening asthma, respiratory infections and even depression as a result. If you have eczema, it can also make your skin significantly worse.

Mould can be cleaned from surfaces using products found in a supermarket - such as diluted bleach for example - but it will grow back quickly if you don’t alter your living conditions. As long as it is not a toxic black mould, it can be usually wiped off walls with a cloth (don’t forget to wear safety equipment such as gloves and glasses!).

If your mould is particularly stubborn, you may need to use toothbrushes, scrubbing brushes and paint scrapers to help remove it fully. Make sure that you get into the tight spaces too - which is where a toothbrush will come in particularly handy!

Don’t forget to throw away any materials that you’ve done your cleaning with so that the mould doesn’t spread even further throughout the home.

How do I reduce my chances of mould growing?

Firstly, if you do have mould, you’ll need to completely get rid of it before thinking about investing in a longer-term solution. Once the mould is completely gone, you can then look into increasing the amount of ventilation within your home.

The best way to reduce your chances of mould within your home is to increase ventilation to reduce the moisture in the air. The most effective way to do this would be to invest in a ventilation system - which will draw in fresh, filtered air from the outside and displace all of that mould-causing moist air.

MHVR units work by extracting the moist and stale air from more polluted sources - such as the kitchen, bathrooms and toilets - and supplies clean air (that is also heated from the warmth of the extracted air) into the home.

Get in touch with our team today for more information or if you have any queries - we’re happy to help!

Copyright © 2022 – 2025 Ventilation Megastore, All rights reserved
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram