If you have a conservatory in your home, you may have noticed problems with moisture. Perhaps you have condensation on your windows, especially in the colder months.
We often get questions about conservatory condensation on windows, doors, blinds and even soft furnishings. Without treatment, this condensation can quickly turn into mould which can be damaging to your health and to the building.
Why am I getting condensation on my conservatory windows?
Getting condensation on the windows of your conversatory will depend on the type of conservatory you have, as well as how it is heated and ventilated.
Condensation occurs when warmer air comes into contact with a cold surface, like glass. Hence why condensation is particularly common with conservatories. Think of the process in the same way as an ice cold drink on a hot summer day. When the warm air comes into contact with the cold glass surface, the water molecules in the air become liquid and rest on the glass. The same is true when warm air within the home touches the cold surface of the window. When the excess moisture within the room touches the cold windows, the molecules are cooled, and then transformed into liquid.
Today’s conservatories come in all shapes and sizes – with a range of windows, blinds, doors and glazing. So it’s worth understanding how your conservatory relates to the rest of your home and what you can do to keep it in good order. Below we share an example of a question we received from a customer regarding their conservatory:
“I live in a 3 bedroom house with a conservatory. The conservatory has no heating in and is separated from the house with sliding patio style doors. In winter it gets freezing in the conservatory and we get bad condensation on the windows and roof which can then sometimes drip. The conservatory doesn’t appear to be well ventilated so I am going to fit trickle vents to give airflow but wondered if your product would aid in reducing the condensation further and possibly heat the room to an extent? Can you advise?”
Can you use a dehumidifier to manage damp and mould in a cold conservatory?
If your conservatory is unheated, it will be very cold during the winter months. And if it’s an old building or poorly ventilated then adding vents and airflow is a great idea. There will be condensation and the easiest way to manage this is to use a dehumidifier. This will help to reduce the excess moisture in the air which will, in turn, manage your condensation problem.
A dehumidifier is cheap to run and will make a huge difference to this particular moisture problem. Whether your conservatory has UPVC, casement, composite or aluminium windows and doors, condensation will be reduced and your building will be less damp and healthier for you to use.
Should I get a desiccant or compressor dehumidifier for my conservatory?
Since conservatories are often colder spaces, we recommend a desiccant dehumidifier. This is because they work better than compressor dehumidifiers at temperatures under 10 degrees – which is what your conservatory will be during the winter. The Meaco DD8L dehumidifier is a great option for smaller conservatories.
MeacoDry Arete® One is the exception to the rule. Though this is a compressor dehumidifier, it has been engineered to perform just as well as a desiccant in lower temperatures, like conservatories in winter.
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4 Responses
Would the Meaco Low Energy 20 Litre Dehumidifier be any good in a large conservatory?
Yes, it would be good in a conservatory.
Following on from the above question about a freezing conservatory, I have just bought a Meacon 12L . Would this be OK to run in the conservatory conditions mentioned above? I think it is a condensor unit.
It will be fine but if you can keep the temperature above 10°C then it will be even better.