Is condensation caused by having to bleed radiator? Help and information on all topics relating to your central heating, air conditioning and ventilation issues.

[the emerald]

We live in a 1930's mid-terrace, and we have terrible condensation on bedroom windows in the morning when it's cold. Our neighbours don't appear to have te same problem. We don't dry clothes in side and try our hardest to ventilate during and after showering and cooking. We have a heated towel rail in the bathroom and we have to bleed it every 2-3 weeks. There's no sign of a leak anywhere, but the water is surely going somewhere? Is that likely to be the cause of the condensation? What can we do?
We get the condensation even if we sleep with the window slightly open! It's driving me mad.HELP!!!

[plumbbob]

Having air in a radiator is no indication of a leak. It does suggest a problem with the pipework layout however, but is not connected with condensation.

Causes of condensation can be devilishly tricky to identify. Apart from ventilation, not having a room warm enough can cause the surfaces to be cold so water can condense easily. Also, drafts can bring in cold damp air from outside increasing the possibility of condensation.

[dobber1]

Your condensation is not related to the air in your radiator that sounds like the pipe layout causing cavitation in the system.

Condensation is related to the amount of moisture vapour in the air, measured as a percentage. Ie 60% relativity means 60% of the air in the room is moisture, at a given temperature.

This has to be taken into consideration with the temperature surfaces which fall below the dew point temperature ie your window will result in the moisture content at this point reaching 100% so the moisture must change from a vapour to a liquid at this point. It’s the same as seeing your breath when going outside on a cold day.

To answer your question on a forum is impossible as there are too many parameters which need to be looked at, type of window, moisture production and installed ventilation systems, you can have a look on our web site Olympic-construction.co.uk or the PCA web site for more information or contact us through the web site if you want more information.

[the emerald]

Thank you dobber1 & plumbbob for your replies. Much appreciated.