HOMEOWNERS may be using their heating all wrong – and it could be causing damp and mould.
Issues often start with condensation, caused when warm air comes into contact with a cool window or other cold surface.
Mould could be dangerous to your health if left untreated
Steam build-up from hot showers and cooking can make matters worse.
If condensation and damp are left untreated, you could end up with mould growing on your walls or ceilings.
You may begin to notice black, white or green patches, along with a musty smell.
Research from Utilita Energy found more than a fifth of homes suffer from damp.
In some cases, the way you are using your heating could be adding to the problem, according to Winston Davis, director of Hertfordshire and Greater London-based Avenue Heating,
We spoke to the plumbing supremo to find out how not using your heating correctly could be leading to damp and mould.
He told HOAR: “Customers have never asked us, as much as they have in recent months, whether or not to leave their heating on.
“The key to all this is using your radiators and heating system in the right way, as we are finding there are a number of things households are doing wrong.”
Failing to turn your heating on
Leaving your heating off entirely is not the best approach, according to Winston.
“Some people have tried to brave it out and limit turning their heating on, while others have tried to leave it off completely,” he said. “But apart from the obvious risk of a frozen pipe causing a flood in your home, there are other risks associated with not using your heating correctly.”
Winston explains that when a heating system is not turned on, particularly in a property more prone to damp, this can lead to condensation collecting within the walls.
He said: “Not only will this help conduct heat out of a home, meaning you’re losing more heat, and having to spend more to heat your home, but it can also lead to damp and mould developing.”
Using your heating at the wrong temperature
Winston warns that if your home is below 15 degrees, you are at real risk of damp and mould forming.
“This, in turn, could make you ill,” he said. “Black mould is a type of fungus which grows and develops in damp or humid conditions.
“Its spores allow mould to keep reproducing and growing. It is responsible for many of the health problems caused by mould in the home, such as coughing, fever and a sore throat.”
Apart from the health concerns associated with not heating your home, you also risk doing damage to the actual fabric of your property.
Winston added: “If condensation and damp do develop, this can cause damage to plastered walls and ceilings, as well as to other flooring and wood which can begin to warp.”
Failing to heat your home evenly
With energy bills on the up, you may be trying to use your heating as minimally as possible.
But you still need to evenly heat your house or flat, according to Winston.
“This applies even to rooms which are not used that much,” he said. “Turning your heating on for just an hour in the morning and two in the evening could be enough to keep damp and mould at bay.
“This, in turn, can help protect against the deterioration of your plaster, wooden window sills and doors.”
Drying clothes on radiators
With the cost-of-living crisis showing little sign of letting up, many people are looking for alternatives to gas-guzzling appliances such as tumble dryers.
But while it may be tempting to use radiators to dry your clothes, Winston warns this could exacerbate issues with damp and mould.
“This should be avoided if you can,” said the heating whizz.
“If it’s not possible to dry clothes outside, you’re better off drying them in a bathroom, either with a window open or an extractor fan on intermittently, to clear the air.
“This is preferable, as this is the room best-designed to deal with moisture in the air.”
Also check out other ways to dry clothes, such as cheap-to-run heated airers, or clever hacks, such as putting a bed sheet over an airer.
Turning your heating on but not opening the windows
Some people mistakenly believe that if they keep their doors and windows closed, this will stop moisture from getting in, helping them prevent mould and damp. But this is not the case, according to Winston.
He said: “In actual fact, one person can contribute up to four pints of water to their home environment in one day just from normal everyday activities, such as cooking, cleaning or showering.
“You need to ensure there is always a way that the moisture created can escape.”
At the very minimum, you should aim to open your windows for at least 15 minutes every day so that fresh air can replace moisture.
“But ideally, you should do this twice a day, first thing in the morning, and before you go to bed.
Winston also recommends making use of what are known as ‘trickle vents.’
“Often windows have ‘trickle vents’ in them,” he said. “When these are opened, they allow air to pass through them, even when the window is closed”
He adds that a more modern approach is a ‘multi-vent heat recovery unit.’ This is a whole house ventilation system which supplies air throughout a property, and also extracts it.
“One of these units recycles stale and moist air with fresh air,” he said. “They have been introduced in homes with great effect, and can really help prevent mould and damp.”
Having furniture pushed up against walls
A few minutes spent rearranging your sofas, beds and other belongings could also make a difference.
“Avoid leaving furniture squashed up against walls,” Winston said.
“This prevents air from moving, which again helps damp and mould develop. Give some thought to the layout of your rooms to avoid this.”
Not using lids when you cook
And finally, Winston reminds us that it’s really important to use covers on pots when cooking, as when water boils, vapour is released which can condense on cooler surfaces.
“A lid is a simple way to stop condensation from forming,” he said. “You should also make sure your extraction fan is getting rid of as much steam as possible.”
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