There’s nothing like coming home to a cosy, warm, dry home on a crisp Winter’s day. But many kiwi homes are not properly insulated and have issues with excess moisture, resulting in a home that’s cold and damp.
Here are a few tips to help you reduce condensation and create a more comfortable home this winter:
Keep warmth in
The majority of heat loss occurs in your floor, walls and ceilings; followed by the glass in your windows. Insulate your roof first, followed by your walls and floor, and trap heat inside your home with double-glazed windows. Double-glazing can help you save on heating bills, halving your heat-loss* compared to single-glazed windows of the same size and shape. It can reduce external noise and add value to your property. You can also take the effectiveness of double-glazing a step further with a high performance glass like low-e.
Reduce heat loss even further with thermally-broken windows and doors. A plastic or resin section is placed in the centre of the aluminium frame, dramatically reducing heat transfer through the frame.
Reduce moisture
Remove moisture from inside your home by fitting extractor fans that vent to the outside in your kitchen, bathroom and laundry. Small lifestyle changes like drying your clothes outside, placing lids on your pots when cooking and installing a shower dome will also help you control indoor moisture.
Keep air moving
By leaving your windows slightly open throughout the day you will replace moisture-laden air with fresh air. This allows your home to dry out and helps prevents mould forming on cold or damp surfaces. Placing security stays on your windows will restrict how far the window can be opened, providing a safer way to ventilate when there’s no one home. Another ventilation option is passive ventilation – a natural way to circulate air through your home while your windows remain closed.
With proper insulation, ventilation and excellent moisture control you will make a big difference to how your home feels this winter.
It always pays to talk to someone who knows their stuff. For ideas, advice and information about windows and doors, talk to an experienced Fairview window & door manufacturer or visit fairviewwindows.co.nz.
*https://www.energywise.govt.nz/at-home/windows/double-glazing/
