Any good alternatives to a dehumidifier for condensation on windows?

confusedmummy

I live in a rented flat with very old metal framed windows with single pane glazing. In the winter months we get really bad condensation, literally water streaming down the windows every morning or fogged up.

Last year I bought a dehumidifier (ebac) but was finding it prohibitive to run (doubled my electricity bill) and it never seemed to clear the windows very well (was working correctly). I have now sold this.

I have a humidity clock which states that the humidity levels are fine (normally in the 40-50% range), so it is mainly a case of old, windows that do not close very well (the block we live in is Art Deco and windows and frames have never been replaced).

I am wondering if anyone has any cheaper suggestions to combat condensation on windows? Is there anything I can spray onto the window panes?

Hintza

You need more ventilation, if you can leave the windows open during the day that would help.

paulmapp8306

Yep. Warm air inside meets cold surface (window - cooled by outside air temperature). Any moisture in the warm air will condense onto the window.

Extra ventilation will help - but not solve. In fact its difficult to solve. Double glazing helps as the inner pain isnt (supposed to be) cold due to the separating space.

Turning down your heat (or turning off overnight) will help some - the greater the temp difference between air and glass the less condensation.

BertieUK

The only way I could see you stopping the condensation is to have the temperature both inside and out the same. Then it would be quite uncomfortable for you, so I cant see any other remedy than what has been suggested.

Move to another flat, that was D/G, would be the ultimate answer if that was a possible choice for you.

Regards
Bob

TimBuckTeeth

In effect the windows are acting like a large dehumidifier, the moist air condensing on the cold glass. The good news is that it is keeping the humidity low in the room and stopping mould growth on walls.
You can try increasing the ventilation and adjusting the heating but it will be impossible to eliminate with single glazed windows.

Badrick

I suggested this in another thread.
Dry your window, wipe with neat washing up liquid and buff off, probably would need re-doing weekly.
Works for bathroom mirrors too.

h.cowell

We have a problem with condensation too. Our conservatory (double glazed) is just 2 years old and when it's cold the condensation can drip from the glass roof (ugh). The best solution we've found is to leave a small portable radiator on very low overnight when the temperature dips --- not cheap, but it does help. And we use the dehumidifier just for a few hours when this happens. It doesn't solve the problem entirely, but it is much better doing this. I've also read that a fan can help and plan to try that too.

trulymadlydeeply_indebt!

I feel your pain - same scenario here and I have just created a post regarding the best dehumidifier to buy between Ebac and Meaco. I'll be keeping an eye out on responses to your Post and perhaps if you have a gander at mine, there may be some tips we can share.

I already open my windows every morning for half an hour after wiping them down with a microfibre cloth and turning back the bedding. It soon dries and is then gone for the day, but it is always there again the next morning. Just have to keep wiping I suppose.

I heard something similar to the washing up liquid tip, but using Johnson's Baby Oil on bathroom mirrors. Never tried it, but I may now.

TMD xx

savemoney

You could also get a karcher window vac to suck up all water each day. they are quite good I got one last week on offer @ B&Q. You can get small containers that contain crystals to take some of the water but it will be limited how much it can take in

Ken68

About ten year ago my former neighbour when moving house, gave me several 8ft x 4ft sheets of polystyrene, 50mm thick.
I shaped them to fit the exterior of the downstairs windows at the back of the house and I press them into the reveal every evening. It changed the dewpoint from inside to outside, therefore no condensation. It works.A bit like moving your curtains from inside to outside.
It probably wouldn't pay to do thisif you had to buy them but maybe worth a try on one window.

Fire_Fox

We have double glazed metal window frames so I know what you mean it can look like it is raining but indoors if you don't address the condensation. I don't use the heating much and I don't use a dehumidifier - I do however open ALL the windows daily ALL year round, wipe all the window area daily with kitchen roll through winter, only turn the shower on when wetting and rinsing, use fabrics that don't hold much water -microfibre towels and sweat wicking gym kit for example. Don't air dry heavy sweaters or jeans or terry cotton towels indoors, ideally no laundry at all or use your dehumidifier just at those times.

The above works, I have less mould (very little) than any other flat in this block I have been in. The condensation is only horrific when I don't open the windows or someone else is visiting who showers 'normally'. I don't find opening the windows every day makes the flat cold: it never drops below 10C (no heating snowy weather) and with the benefit of the neighbouring flats the temperature resets very fast.