Article by Simon Jones, Head of Air Quality for Ambisense
We’re approaching what might be a dangerous and unpleasant winter for households across the UK. Fuel prices are rising at an alarming rate, with no respite in sight. This enormous cost increase can only result in historic levels of fuel poverty, an issue that looks to impact families across the country.
A person is considered to be experiencing fuel poverty if they spend more than 10% of their net income on energy. In 2020 an estimated 13.2% of families were in fuel poverty across England. York University published a paper last month estimating that more than 75% of UK homes will be in fuel poverty by January 2023. Numerous studies have found a substantial correlation between fuel poverty and damp and mould spores. A 2020 survey of 10,000 UK homes found that 44% of residents were considered to be suffering from fuel poverty, and more than 25% had mould problems.
The first, and luckily far less probable, effect of fuel poverty is that a vulnerable person dies as a result of being exposed to cold weather. Fortunately, that is a very rare occurrence. The second, more insidious but nonetheless harmful, effect is a rise in condensation and mould formation, which is especially dangerous to the children and the immunocompromised.
Numerous health studies have found that elevated levels of mould and dampness have long-term negative effects on our health. According to the NHS “If you have damp and mould in your home you’re more likely to have respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma. Damp and mould can also affect the immune system.” This is increased further by chilly, damp living circumstances.
Why does mould occur?
Surfaces get cool when homes are not properly heated, increasing the danger of condensation and moisture. This offers an ideal environment for mould growth. There are numerous and diverse sources of damp and mould, but one thing stays constant: mould cannot exist without moisture.
Condensation, moisture, and mould are the result of a complex interaction between building fabric conditions, weather, and residential activities.
Then what’s the solution?
There is no quick remedy. Energy expenses are high and rising, and inflation is chipping away at our disposable income. So the ideal way is to focus on areas where you can have the most influence, while remembering that you can’t manage what you don’t measure.
Step 1: Identify where mould can grow
Damp is frequently seen in areas that have limited air circulation, such as under furniture or in corners. Air circulates and moves in a circular pattern, which contends with the angular structure of corners, and ultimately hot air rises.
Condensation is also a danger in areas that normally act as bridges to freezing outside surfaces, such as around windows and wall and ceiling joints.
As a result, damp is more likely in corners near the ground, particularly those on colder external walls. How can this be resolved? Better ventilation or walls that are warm enough to decrease moisture formation. Moving furniture away from walls as well as ensuring they are dry is key. Improving the air circulation is key as well as making sure your rooms are properly ventilated.
Step 2: Tackle Damp
Monitoring humidity is also key, as we know mould cannot grow without moisture, so tackle wet areas right away. Rotted structures, seepage from heavy rainfall and even simple spills onto textiles such as curtains and carpets must be dealt with, and the sooner the better.
Indoor condensation is also caused by our actions, specifically showering, drying clothing indoors, and cooking producing steam. Making sure to dry the floor and walls after a shower is important. Of course, it is not practical to keep windows and doors open for extended periods of time during the colder months, nor is it viable to dry clothing outside. Therefore ensuring wherever clothes are drying is well ventilated.
While it may not be possible to open windows all of the time, think about your activities and try and ventilate when you can. Open windows for a short time in bedrooms after use or in living spaces and kitchens when you’re able, even a small amount can help. A small amount of ventilation all of the time can help as well, so if you can lave trickle ventilation on windows or wall ventilators open, if you have mechanical ventilation try to leave it on.
You can’t manage what you don’t measure…
As a company, we frequently discuss the use of data to identify and address a problem. It’s no different here. For a household, a recommended way is to employ a technology that not only monitors the danger of dampness in your home but also considers the building’s performance and heating efficiency. This can result in significant savings while still maintaining your health and well-being. There is no quick fix to this issue but as winter rapidly approaches taking practical steps now could greatly affect your family’s health.
This content was originally published here.