My home is making me sick but new dehumidifier contributing to headaches?!?

ChrisM78

Over the last few years, I've been getting ill more than usual. I've often felt that it's down to my home environment (it's a small 2nd floor flat in a converted house). Stupidly, a few years ago, I had the back room window closed all through winter and experienced damp walls and mould - since then, I keep it open all the time.

The main room which is a combined bedroom/kitchen doesn't have any signs of mould that I can see, but it's also felt more draughty this year than before. Maybe some of that may be down to feeling the cold more (I'm nearly 55) but since the weather in London (UK) went a bit colder, I'm experiencing headaches, irritated sinuses and a cold as well as an irritated throat, particularly from being in the main room - this has been going on for nearly 3 weeks. I have storage heaters that are not as effective as before - the windows are pretty much closed at night thought slightly ajar.

I feel a bit overwhelmed by it all. There's also condensation between the window panes in a few of the windows so I imagine the double glazing isn't as effective as it used to be and the panes should be replaced.

I thought a good first step would be buying a dehumidifier (Meaco Arete 2 20L) and set it up yesterday - I put the unit on the Smart Humidity Mode and the target is clearly reached quite quickly as it turns itself off after 30 minutes - not that much water collected, which I would expect from about 90 minutes active usage (more me turning it off for a bit then on again after it turns itself off). However, I seem to have one hell of a headache from it - feels like cold/cool air coming out of it with further use rather than warm air, which seems to be causing the headache (any kind of fan or AC this year has caused headaches). I will say that the humidity in the main room this morning before opening windows and using the Meaco was 55% - it was 70% a few mornings ago.

Any thoughts?

Ectophile

I feel a bit overwhelmed by it all. There's also condensation between the window panes in a few of the windows so I imagine the double glazing isn't as effective as it used to be and the panes should be replaced.

They won't be as efficient, but it's not a big issue.

I will say that the humidity in the main room this morning before opening windows and using the Meaco was 55% - it was 70% a few mornings ago.

A humidity of 55% is perfectly normal. You shouldn't need to use a dehumidifier if it's that low. You could even cause problems by making yourself breathe air that's too cold and dry.

Have you got any new furniture? They can contain all sorts of horrible chemicals, either as glues, or to stop the furniture going mouldy during shipping.

beckstar1975

Obviously this forum cannot give anything approaching medical advice but I've been having bit problems with headaches this year which the big changes in air pressure have had something to do with. And air being to dry can be a cause too.

Worth keeping a diary too, of food/activities/sleep as often you can see a pattern over time, can always add in air pressure (or pressure changes) to see if you can work out a trigger

sk240

Air coming out of the humidifier should be a little warmer, but not by much, as the unit is probably only consuming 200w or so, so depending on the fan speed it may not be noticeable.

Failed double glazing seals, although not great, only reduces their thermal performance by about 30%

What temperature is it in your actual flat? cold and dried air can make you feel unwell - your living space should be kept 20-21'C

If you think humidity is an issue, maybe could it just be your dehydrated? as a drier environment will also increase body dehydration.