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I spend about a third of my day typically talking about #ventilation. It’s the least sexy part of #retrofit, but it’s vital if you increase insulation.
I got into this industry because I care about carbon emissions, lowering fuel bills…but also I hate what mould and damp does to people’s homes and lungs.
Condensation sounds less scary than black mould…but that’s what this article is really about preventing!
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/jan/28/how-to-reduce-condensation-in-your-home
But working in #retrofit in social housing, I have one massive bugbear about how those in power judge those whose homes are damp.
Postwar social housing was meanly and poorly built in cities. If you live in a cramped flat, with no outdoor space or very little on low income, how are you expected to dry your clothes outdoors?
Dehumidifiers are great if you can afford one. Going to the laundrette is fine if you have time and one nearby - they are few and far between even in my city.
I've been 'arguing' for years with my local authority on behalf of the person for whom I care.
I think this photo' speaks volumes.
They're finally doing some work to the property and a PVI unit has been installed, but it's too soon to say whether or not this will solve the problem.
I pray it is, because the ongoing stress has been indescribable.
Initially, all the blame was attributed to the tenant, which was ridiculous. (They bathe at my house and I do their laundry!)
I really hope the PVI unit works. I have heard mixed things about them, but tbh the story where I heard the resident was least happy with it, they hadn’t had a damp/mould problem to start with. It was just installed by an electrician who didn’t want to drill into a solid wall to install a DMEV fan.
@JugglingWithEggs @TalktoBeverley
I am so sorry to hear they put all the blame on the tenant for whom you care for. Sadly, I hear these stories far too often where the landlord seeks to make out that behavioural reasons (showering without window wide open, drying clothes in depths of winter indoors or simply boiling potatoes) are the cause when actually the greater issue is how the property was originally constructed, subsequent insulation and lack of additional background ventilation.
@JugglingWithEggs 
great to have it written down “stosslüften“ is what should be done, thanks for sharing few tips otherwise I will try
When I was training they called this German method of flinging the windows open regularly ‘purge ventilation’…but I agree, it’s good to know the original German name for it!
@JugglingWithEggs never mind the name, prove to others complaining all the time in the office in particular
@JugglingWithEggs designing good ventilation should be part of designing and refurbishing homes. Regrettably, it seems to have been scrubbed from the training of architects and builders. They seem to either want to prevent it at all, or force the warmth out. No thought as to how to keep the warmth in while still ensuring good flow of air, and conversely in Summer keeping the heat out whilst keeping a good flow of air.
My bungalow, 1955 built internal humidity 37% @ 21°C. Outside 92% @ 8°C.
@JugglingWithEggs we solve condensation the old way. Draughts