Condensation is becoming much more of a concern in recent years. New technology and improvements in the thermal performance of buildings means today’s homes are becoming more air tight and excess humidity in the air can be trapped inside. Gary Smith discusses some of the best ways to combat it.

Windows are usually blamed for excessive condensation because they are the first place the condensation can be seen, but what about between the walls and in the insulation? The moisture is there too. Your windows may actually be serving as a warning sign.

What causes condensation?
Condensation arises because warm air can hold more moisture than cold air. For example, air at 25ºC can hold about 20 grams of water per kilogram of air. This is its maximum water content so it corresponds to 100% humidity. If air in this state is cooled to 15ºC, then its maximum water content falls to about half this value and about 10 grams of water must condense out of each kilogram of air. This will occur as a fog of liquid droplets if the air is cooled as a mass, or as condensation on a surface if that surface provides local cooling of the air around it.

Condensation is defined as the physical process by which a gas or vapour changes into a liquid. If the temperature of an object (e.g. grass, metal, glass) falls below what is known as the “dew point” temperature for a given relative humidity of the surrounding air, water vapour from the atmosphere condenses into water droplets on its surface. This “dew point” varies according to the amount of water in the atmosphere (humidity).

Condensation on windows occurs when the surface temperature of the window is low, and the interior of the room is warm and has high relative humidity. Condensation is not caused by a problem with the window system itself but rather the level of humidity in the room, often due to a lack of appropriate ventilation in the room or house.

The point at which condensation will occur depends on three variables;

• The inside air temperature,
• The relative humidity of the inside air, and
• The surface temperature of the window or glass

This combination of factors is often referred to as the “Dew Point”.

Some humidity is necessary for comfort and health, but too much humidity can present real health problems. High humidity promotes the growth of dust mites and fungi (mould), both of which produce compounds that are injurious to human health.

Equally so, too low humidity is not good either. Cool, dry conditions lead to dry, cracked lips and irritated nasal passages and airborne viruses like influenza tend to spread, possibly because of their ability to survive longer in dry, cool conditions and infiltrate those inflamed nasal passages.

Humidity
Some condensation can be expected in cold weather. The colder the outdoor temperature, the more likely you are to have condensation. A little fog on our windows on an especially cold night does not represent a problem, and it usually goes away fairly quickly.

How can condensation be managed?
Typical domestic activities such as cooking, bathing, showering, drying, high occupancy, high indoor plant concentrations, uncontrolled moisture ingress and domestic appliances such as gas fired stoves, burners and heaters all have an effect on relative humidity level and therefore the potential for condensation within the building.

The easiest way to control condensation is to keep the relative humidity low. When there’s too much condensation on your windows it means that humidity is too high in your home. The glass of single glazed windows are usually the coldest surfaces in a room and may actually be serving as a warning sign to the condensation related problems. You should take the necessary steps to reduce humidity until condensation disappears.

Bathrooms, kitchens and other areas where humidity levels are high are particularly susceptible. In order to control condensation, consideration should be given to improving the ventilation in these areas. The best solution is to gather as much water vapour at its source (for example in the kitchen, bathroom or laundry) and evacuate it straight outside through the use of exhaust fans etc.

Tips for builders
Duct gas appliances, kitchen rangehoods, clothes dryers and bathroom exhaust fans to outside air. Hot water heaters, gas boilers, bathrooms, clothes dryers, range hoods in kitchens and any other sources of moisture vapour should be fitted with adequate mechanical ventilation systems which should be flued to the outdoors. Ducts leading from air conditioners, heaters and other penetrations should be enclosed completely by ceiling insulation product.

• Use vapour permeable wall wraps (not punched sarking). Ensure vapour permeable and moisture control membranes are installed in the correct locations, sequence and orientation. Be sure to select the right materials for the intended purpose and choose reliable products from the market. For example, vapour permeable products specified by Australian Standard (AS) – 4200.01 cannot be substituted.
• Consider building in trickle ventilation where appropriate in high performing or poorly ventilated spaces.
• Create air spaces and ventilate cavities where hardboard, cement sheet or other solid materials are used for external wall claddings.
• Use eaves and soffit vents to vent roof voids.
• Finishing items in construction such as screed laying, plastering, plasterboard jointing, and tiling should be allowed to cure for the longest possible time before the building is occupied.
• Shelter materials on-site from rain and prevent them from getting wet prior to application/installation.
• Avoid the use of un-flued gas heaters .
• Air conditioning units which can control both temperature and humidity are recommended. Systems that can meet the dehumidification requirements should be preferred to avoid surface condensation.