Windows open during winter?

paperclap

Hi all,

In order to stop condensation occurring (on windows, etc), do you keep your windows open on the latch, with the heating on?

Or, do you keep them closed, to retain as much heat as possible?

nologo

Bedroom windows open for an hour in the morning, (we don't have the heating on all the time) just to change the air, then if we have condensation we vac the windows, close the windows then if its damp on with the dehumidifier, (which warms the room slightly)..

nologo

MovingForwards

Windows open in the morning or all day day, heating on in the evening for a couple of hours as and when required.

Slinky

We don't get a lot of condensation in our house despite drying stuff indoors in the winter. As there's only the two of us, we don't close the bedroom door at night so I think this helps with keeping the bedroom window clear.

The bathroom window is open either partially or fully most of the time to air the house.

Bendy_House

If your bedroom is not used during the day, don't bother heating it, but close the door and leave the windows on 'vent'*. Come late evening, you can close them and let the heating come on, so it's pleasant when you go to bed.

Personally, if you can leave the window on vent overnight, then that will be by far the best way to reduce condensation - it's why god gave us duvets. The air will be cooler overnight in any case, and this is why water comes out of the air and condenses out on surfaces. Also, you breathe and exude moisture from your bodies which has to go somewhere. If you don't let this vent out as it forms, it'll be running down your windows by morning. Set your heating to come on in your bedroom at whatever time is needed to greet you when you get up.

*Alternatively, depending on how you live, once the windows are dry in the morning, you can close the vents, but instead leave the door open for air to circulate. You'll soon find what works; if the windows mist up during the day, then that suggests the warm moist air being formed in your kitchen and living areas is making its way to your bedrooms, and condensing out on the colder surfaces in there. In which case, shut that door, and crack the windows open.

Novice_investor101

I leave my bedroom & bathroom windows on the vent latch all year round, except on the coldest of days & nights. 

I like the flow of fresh air. I also have a dehumidifier which keeps the house feeling comfortable. Never had a problem with condensation upstairs but did always have high humidity downstairs (2up2down style terrace) & the dehumidifier solved that. 

paperclap

Thanks one and all!

We're in a 1955 semi-detached bungalow, and had a fair amount of condensation on our windows last winter. That said, it was abnormally cold last winter... and we were too frugal to have the heating on enough!

We've old single fin radiators too, which are just horrendous for kicking out any decent amount of heat.

I'm replacing our radiators soon (for type 21 rads), so hope that helps a fair bit!

Rosa_Damascena

laurencewhymark said:

Thanks one and all!

We're in a 1955 semi-detached bungalow, and had a fair amount of condensation on our windows last winter. That said, it was abnormally cold last winter... and we were too frugal to have the heating on enough!

We've old single fin radiators too, which are just horrendous for kicking out any decent amount of heat.

I'm replacing our radiators soon (for type 21 rads), so hope that helps a fair bit!

That is not a good strategy! Although I can see it would save money I cannot believe you would be comfortable in your own home.

paperclap

Rosa_Damascena said:

laurencewhymark said:

Thanks one and all!

We're in a 1955 semi-detached bungalow, and had a fair amount of condensation on our windows last winter. That said, it was abnormally cold last winter... and we were too frugal to have the heating on enough!

We've old single fin radiators too, which are just horrendous for kicking out any decent amount of heat.

I'm replacing our radiators soon (for type 21 rads), so hope that helps a fair bit!

That is not a good strategy! Although I can see it would save money I cannot believe you would be comfortable in your own home.

Well, we did have our heating on... just, these radiators are so bad at chucking out heat, it just didn't go anything. They were hot to the touch, but just didn't feel warm like it should have!

twopenny

In my old house with radiators like you describe I put turkey foil (1pound from poundland) down the back in winter leaving some just above and round the sides.
It made a huge difference to the warmth of the room as I wasn't heating the wall.
If they are under windows curve and stick to the underneath of the sill with tape to convect the heat outwards.
It also reduced my bills 
I now have a bungalow and the bedroom window open most of the time. 
There is still some condensation on very cold days as it faces east.

Rdwill

We have a Mr Venty from Envirovent, can't fault him.

Give it a Google.