passive dehumidifiers??????????

rabialioness

hiya, does anyone have any info on these?
where can they be purchased?
are they easy to install i.e. can they be done diy??????/

rabialioness

come on
SOMEONE must have heard about them
where are all you diy enthusiasts
or does no one suffer from condensation?????????

rabialioness

any ideas pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaase??????

shrek101

I have never heard of a passive dehumidifier. Although I have used our dehumidifier for about 8 years now, Matsui. It's gets rid of a few pints of water a day but I still get some condensation on the double glazing. Sorry can't be any help

I found this if it helps

http://www.condensationshop.com/passyfier_bg.shtml

edit oops spellings

rabialioness

thanks,
the man from sentinel. told me about them, he paid me a visit to look athe problem.
they actually fit onto the outside wall. his explanation is they are like a saucer , dont't let cold air come inside and take the condensation out.
AND THEY ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIT!!!!!!!!!
429.00 PLUS VAT for 3 bedrooms.
however there are no maintenance or running costs and save space if you have a small house and kids.

shrek101

Ouch that's a lot. Still you mention no running costs and if they do work it could in the long term save money and time. Think about not having to mop up around the windows the following morning due to condensation and also less mould and fungi growth on ceilings walls etc due to condensation. Hope this works.

My mother in law has something installed in the loft that draws condensation in now you come to think of it. I have seen a vent that goes into the loft through here ceiling. As she lives in a bungalow. I am not sure if its a similar thing but cant say for sure whether it works as she only recently moved in and was already installed. I have heard of a system that does this that is suppose to be very popular in Sweden.

Anyhow if you get it I would be interested in how you get on.

rabialioness

man from sentinel seemed very convincing
said that many housing associations have them installed.
however it is a lot of money to part with, just to trial it out.
would be helpful if someone already has it and could tell us about it

Lacie_2

Before you go spending hundreds of pounds it would be a good idea to try to find out what is causing the condensation. The cause of condensation is not always straightforward to workout, but it is normally due to a few common things. Firstly, how much water vapour is being produced in your home? Secondly, what is the ventilation like in your home? Thirdly, what are the thermal insulation properties of your external walls and windows?

Knowing what is causing your condensation will help you decide how to prevent it. You may find a much cheaper solution to your problem.

BlueVinney

Agree with the advice that Lacie gives. Certainly I would be suspicious of the sentinel offer.

Condensation comes from too much water vapour inside the house and cold surfaces (usually) on the outside to get wet.

As they say, first find your vapour. A lot comes from things like gas cookers and hobs, drying clothes indoors, baths and showers and people, we all give off a lot of water vapour all the time. Without sufficient ventilation this just builds up in the house until it starts condensing on any cold surface it can find (when the air reaches the 'dew point'). There are lots of diy extractor systems. An adequate one from screwfix.com for a bath or shower room including fan, grilles and ducting to fit in the loft costs from £19 complete inc vat. You would need the knowledge (or a friend) to safely wire it into an electrical supply and fit a ceiling switch. Alternatively, you could buy a dehumidifier from the likes of currys, comet,etc. It's plugged into the mains electricity in the room you want to dry and sits there like a (large) blow heater. They can take out about a couple of litres of water a day. shrek101 has mentioned both of these solutions.

If the condensation is on the walls or ceiling then why not check on your insulation. Local authorities administer grants for installing cavity wall insulation and to install (or top up) loft insulation. Not only might this help the condensation but it will save you (a lot) on your future heating costs. Had both done, saved 50% of cost and have a warm and cozy house.

Hope you get a satisfactory solution.

rabialioness

thanks for your tips
as far as ventilation goes , the bedroom window where there is most problem is open for most of the day.as well as windows throughout the house.
i will contact local authority to see if they can help

shrek101

Very good solutions there. I know I have had problems for several years even with using the humidifier. However I am hoping I solved this by laying down loft insulation (which Coseyseal) was suppose to lay down properly but didn't do the parts of the loft you couldn't see by not laying it down at the edges near where the roof joins the wall.

Last year I got water running down the walls which was caused by condensation.

Unfortunately I cant have the front windows open due to traffic noise. I try an open them at the rear instead particular when we have had a shower/bath.

Clothes are a problem to dry though most of use cant afford to run tumble dryers all day long when you got a family so radiators are usually the own place when its cold or wet outside.