Dehumidifiers | Inter-Room Air Transfer Systems | Ducted Bathroom Exhaust/Heater Kits | Solar Hybrid Heating

Winter in Tasmania brings an extra chore to many people: wiping the condensation from windows! Apart from streaky windows, condensation leads to mould on walls, musty smells  in rooms and clothing, and an increase in dust mites in bed linen. All of these lead to an unhealthy house environment, as well as damage to window sills, curtains, carpets and other household fabrics. If you are sensitive to mould spores and suffer from allergies, then these issues will affect you more.

Causes of Condensation in Houses

Condensation is caused when water vapour in air ("humidity") converts into liquid water when it comes into contact with a cold surface, such as a window or wall. This is why condensation mostly occurs in the early hours of the morning - outside temperatures are at their lowest and internal heating is switched off or at its lowest setting.

How does the air become humid in the first place? Well, common household activities add 10.5Kg of water into the air every day, including washing & drying clothes (5.5kg), cooking (3kg) and breathing (1.2kg), not to mention showering! Additionally, some combustion-style heaters add a lot of mositure into the air.

Moisture may also be introduced into the house via rising damp, (ground-based moisture rising through house foundations), lack of adequate ventilation, and bathroom/kitchen exhaust fans (which often vent directly into the ceiling cavity).

Dehumidifiers - dry your air!

"Dehumidifiers" are devices that remove excess humidity (water vapour) from your house, creating a drier and healthier environment. These come as portable units or as devices that are integrated into ducted air transfer systems. Features to look for include humidistats (you set the desired humidity level) and hose attachments (drains water away so you don't need empty the water-catchment drawer every time).

Read more...

Solar Hybrid Heating

The HEG Solar Hybrid Heating (tm) utilises the dry, sun-warmed air in your ceiling cavity. When a thermostat indicates that the air is warm enough, it pumps it "down" into the liveable parts of the house, thus expelling the moisture-laden air. These systems are also used to offset the energy costs of traditional heaters by increasing the ambient temperature of the house during the day, hence the term "solar hybrid heating".

Inter-Room Air Transfer Systems

Inter-Room Air Transfer Systems move the warm, dry air from above your heater to bedrooms at the far end of the house via ducting in the roof cavity. Did you know that this air can be up to 35 degrees Celcius at ceiling level?! Moisture-laden air in bedrooms is displaced by drier air, thus minimising condensation. The typical scenario of hot living room and cold bedrooms is a thing of the past with this system, with most households diminishing their use of  bedroom or hallway heaters substantially. Bathrooms, studies and secondary living areas can benefit as well.

The gentle flow of air throughout the house also helps to keep the house drier, addressing musty smells and mould formation.  These systems work particularly well with wood heaters and heat pumps. Home Efficiency Group offers these as DIY Kits or with professional install services, statewide.