Although generally we don't have a ventilation problem in our bungalow, we do find that with four of us (2 people, 2 dogs) sleeping in the bedroom every night, there is a lot of condensation on the window in the morning, even when we have a window open.

We've thought about buying a dehumidifier but they are quite expensive and I'm a bit sceptical as to how effective they are. Has anyone got one ? Are they worth the money ? I'd be interested to hear any views.

Thanks

Joyce

Joyce

I can't recommend them enough. I live in a house with a downstairs bathroom right opposite the front door (council logic or wot?) For the first 3 years we had terrible problems with condensation in the windows upstairs especially during the winter mths.

A friend advised I put it in the bathroom and leave it on all the time that way it removes the water directly from the source. I've not had a problem since even when the kids leave the bathroom door open when they've just had a bath.

Thanks, Schip. Hope you don't mind me asking but what make did you buy ?

Joyce

It is a Lec and still going strong after 6 years on constantly and never had a days trouble with it either. At the time it seemed a heck of a lot of money well over £200 but I am sure it's paid for itself just in washing towels everyday cleaning the water from our window ledges let alone the replacements I would have needed by now.

I can set it to extract more or less water depending on our needs at the time during the winter it's on about 5 - 6 but in the warmer weather it's on 3. I usually on have to empty the bucket in the back twice a week during the winter and once a fortnight in summer, there is a light that goes on when it needs to be emptied.

Hi Joyce,
For a cheap alternative to an electric dehumidifyer, there's an item that is basically a small plastic holder with a tub. It holds a type of manmade crystal that absorbs moisture in the air. Every so often, you empty the little tub and refill the top. It's only about pint size and the stuff is very inexpensive-- about $1 a pack. I just can't remember what it's called :rolleyes: If you're interested, let me know and I'll dig it up to see if it's available in UK.
toodles

Thanks, Sara. We tried this type a year or two ago but the capacity wasn't enough. The problem we have gets worse as the weather gets colder, so some mornings there's puddles of water on the window sill. So I think it will have to be an electric one.

Appreciate your reply, though.

Joyce

Ooh, that's a lot of water. Poor you. Have you checked your window seals at all to see if there's any leakage going on from outside?
good luck,

Yes it is a lot of water, Sara !!
The problem isn't caused by leaking seals or window frames, though. Fortunately, we've got good double glazing.

Just too much breathing going on in one room ! :D

Just tell hubby and dogs to cut the breathing out ;) :D :D
:Cool:

Now why didn't I think of that !! :D

Cavity wall insulation can help to cut down condensation. You may be able to get a grant for about half of the cost as well :)

Hi Joyce
Well, we've got one (had it nearly 2 years now) it is an *Amcor TC 100*.
We got it in B&Q. :)
They are a bit expensive but I wouldn't be without it now in the winter. ;)
We've got an oil fired Rayburn in the Kitchen that cooks, heats water & 7 Radiators and a multi fuel (woodburning) stove in the living room. Usually you would expect radiators to *dry* the air but we get alot of condensation in the mornings. The dehumidifier is on all day (switch it off at bedtime) throughout the winter and it has the situation under control.
IMHO well worth the outlay. :D
Nicky

Thanks, Nicky. It seems that these machines are worth the money. You say you turn yours off at night - is this for safety reasons ? I think this would be the time we would need it switched on !!

Hi Joyce
No, not safety reasons, noise reasons! ;)
We have it upstairs on the landing outside the spare room and boy is it noisy at bedtime, then of course once you *tune in* to it you can't hear anything but and you certainly can't get off to sleep! :rolleyes:
I suppose we could put it downstairs at night and leave it running but it's just easier to switch off and switch on again the next day. :)
Nicky

hi joyce, why don't you hire one to see if it suits you - you can hire them from most decent tool hire shops- then you can see if it works ok for you before you pay out a lot of money! my husband works for Jewsons Hire Point, so he is recommending them! He says they work really good, builders use them to dry out plaster or in flood cases! He says to haggle on price too - don't say he did though!!!:D julie:)

Now that is a good idea, Julie, I didn't realise you could hire them. That way we'd also get to find out how noisy they are.

Thanks
Joyce

Hi
My husband has just bought one of the last mini coopers to be produced. I have been asking for ages for a dehumidifier for the house but my 'pleas' have fallen on deaf ears. The day the mini arrived off he went to Argos and bought one for the garage to keep the car in perfect order. Ha men and their toys :D
Carol

Hello Joyce
we have one if you are interested and yes they are brill when in a crowded house!!!
If you are interested email me tj_crutcher@hotmail.com!!
thank you
tracey

Have only just seen your post, Tracey. After reading everyone's views, we decided to buy one and have just ordered an Amcor from B & Q - it's being delivered tomorrow. Looking forward to not having to mop up the window and sill every morning !! :D

Thanks for all replies.

Joyce

Just to say that, so far, we are very pleased with the Amcor - can't believe the tank had almost two inches of water in it this morning, extracted after just one night !!

I think we'll get used to the noise it makes (we've positioned it in the hall so can only just hear it) but my hubby reckoned he had a dream about it - one where he had to think up as many uses for it as he could. So he says he spent the night sending e-mails, cutting the lawn and frying eggs !! :D :D

There's never a dull moment when you live with a complete nutter !! :D

Joyce

Joyce glad its working OK for you! :)

Have only just noticed this post.
Glad you are pleased with your Dehumidifier.
We have had a Trion for well over ten years. It has been in constant use and never gone wrong. It cost around £500.
Just recently we bought a second machine, exactly the same as the one we have, from an Auction - it was only £30. It works perfectly and is in extremely good condition (shouldn't think it has been used much). So now we have one upstairs and the newly acquired one downstairs.
Wouldn't be without them.
Liz

Yes, Liz, they're brilliant aren't they ? Just wish I'd bought one years ago :)

Hi
I have just bought my Mother a Delonghi dehumidifier for her very wet kitchen ! she lives in a 3 bedroom house and the wettest room is the kitchen were would you advise us to place the machine ? in the kitchen or in the hall at the front of the house ?
stuart

Hi Stuart
Most dehumidifiers will do the job wherever they're placed in the house. Although our condensation problem was in the bedroom we placed the machine in the hall & just left the door open.

Hi Joyce,
We were in the same situation as you are now. Bungalow, two German Shepherds, all sleeping in the same bedroom.
In the wintertime we used to get so much condensation from the windows, that the water would form great puddles on the windowsill and then run down the inside wall to make puddles on the floor.

I don't know if your bungalow is concrete or wood floored, ours is concrete. But when we got 'an expert' in to look at our problem he told us to keep a window slightly open at all times in the bathroom, the cause of most of the moisture in the air, and to keep the bathroom door shut. He also told us to have the bedroom 'fully' carpeted, with a thick underlay, to prevent cold surfaces, and to get good doubleglazing.

Thankfully this has cured all of our condensation problems, except in the very coldest winters when a light 'mist' of condensation can sometimes still form in the corners of the windows.

Note: We also have a dehumidifier, but to be honest we don't see or feel much difference when in use or not.

Best of luck and hope that you are 'cured' soon.

Harry C.

Hi Harry
We have concrete floors as well but our carpets are quite thick. I think our trouble was caused by the fact that the window wall is a very cold wall in the winter. We lined the wall with polystyrene type stuff (known as 'cortina' my hubby tells me) under the wallpaper but it didn't really cure the problem.
But we have found that the dehumidifier has been very effective. I was glad I asked about them on here first, though. Sometimes you can spend out a lot on appliances which don't really do the job.

It's so nice not to have to mop up puddles every morning ! :)

Thanks for your post
Joyce