Ventilation, Damp and Condensation

Why is ventilation important?

According to the 1991 House Condition Survey 3 million homes in England suffer severe condensation dampness.

We recommend insulating your home to reduce the amount of energy used. However, it is important to remember that to keep a healthy home you still need to keep it ventilated.

If your house is not ventilated you may get problems with damp and condensation. This could lead to health problems for you or anyone else living in the house. It could also lead to structural problems with the house in serious cases.

How can I keep my house ventilated?

• open the windows a little
• use and extractor fan
• open vents
• heat all your home. It is better to heat the whole house to a lower temperature than one room to a very high temperature.
• dry clothes outside
• vent tumble driers outside
• avoid using portable gas and paraffin heaters
• keep kitchen and bathroom doors shut
• cover boiling pans with a pan lid

Page last reviewed 9 May 2008