How to live without heating - save £000s

Ildhund

wrf12345 said:

... empty and unheated houses can end up with a lot of mould ...

I'm aware of some of the dangers of cold, damp conditions indoors. What I don't understand is why we're told it feels colder if the humidity is high in Lancashire, but hotter in Louisiana.

A related question is why living or sleeping in cold air is bad for those with respiratory problems. We know, for example, that the low density of air at high altitudes makes breathing more difficult - think Everest climbers with their oxygen masks, or footballers from lower-lying countries suffering at the high-altitude venues at the 1984 World Cup in Mexico. So cold air, being more dense that warmer air, should make breathing easier - shouldn't it? 
  
'A' level Physics didn't help with these conundrums.

masonic

Ildhund said:

wrf12345 said:

... empty and unheated houses can end up with a lot of mould ...

I'm aware of some of the dangers of cold, damp conditions indoors. What I don't understand is why we're told it feels colder if the humidity is high in Lancashire, but hotter in Louisiana.

At low temperatures, high humidity tends to make clothing moist and therefore reduces its insulating properties. At high temperatures, high humidity impairs evaporation of sweat. I think the effect of the former is exaggerated though. I don't think I'd be able to tell the difference in warmth between a cold damp day and cold crisp day of the same temperature (controlling for factors like sunlight), but I can definitely tell the difference between a humid hot day and a dry hot day of the same temperature.

Ildhund said:
A related question is why living or sleeping in cold air is bad for those with respiratory problems. We know, for example, that the low density of air at high altitudes makes breathing more difficult - think Everest climbers with their oxygen masks, or footballers from lower-lying countries suffering at the high-altitude venues at the 1984 World Cup in Mexico. So cold air, being more dense that warmer air, should make breathing easier - shouldn't it?

Cold air is only denser until it is inhaled, makes contact with the mucosa/lungs etc, and warms. At the point of gas exchange with the blood, it is probably about the same temperature as inhaled warm air.

Sleeping in cold air increases your overall metabolic burden as you lose heat breathing the air. If your lung tissue is poorly perfused with blood, exposure to cold air could reduce its efficiency. It can also lead to inflammation and mucous production.

Eldi_Dos

Sea_Shell said:

As @HertsLad is someone who will know LOTS about temperature and humidity and their relationship to each other.

Should I be worried about soft furnishings in an environment of low temps (9°c) with humidity at 80%

For example in an unheated, unoccupied, Caravan?

Or is high humidity only a problem at warmer temps? 

Do you winter proof your caravan before layin up for the winter, I am thinking along the lines of using RV Antifreeze in water lines and water traps.
Make sure to remove any bedding and allow airflow into cupboards.

Eldi_Dos

QrizB said:

I'm a (temporary and involuntary) convert to this lifestyle as my gas boiler has stopped, er, boiling

Fortunately it's only October and still mild, plus I've got an immersion heater for hot water.

Luckily enough new season hotwater bottles have been appearing in our shops over the last couple of weeks if thats any help.