Reducing dampness and mould can help you save money on your energy bills

Dampness and mould growth is a serious issue which, unfortunately, affects an enormous number of households in the UK. Long-term exposure to mould can increase the likelihood of health issues such as respiratory illness, asthma and allergies.

The good news is that staving off unhealthy dampness can also reduce your energy bills. Making some energy efficiency upgrades to your home makes all the difference. Kuppa is helping Wolverhampton residents make their home healthier, and cheaper to run, at the same time.

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Kuppa is a digital tool which provides personalised advice on enhancing your home’s cost efficiency, sustainability and comfort. But tips are only so helpful without financial support. So it also points you to grants that can alleviate the up-front costs for some of the recommendations.

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Wolverhampton residents can access Kuppa for free, for a few months only, at www.yourkuppa.com/wolverhampton. The questionnaire takes just 5 minutes, and all you need to get started is a postcode.

While you load up the questionnaire, here are some tips for reducing dampness and mould from Terri Weston, Senior Environmental Health Officer at Wolverhampton City Council:

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Insulation and Draught Reduction

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Insulation and draught reduction improvement to your home should go a long way to reduce the chance of condensation and mould growth. This works by slowing rate of heat loss from the building, and enabling you to keep it warmer for longer. However, there are a few things to be mindful of:

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Ventilation is key

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Reducing draughts may make your home feel warmer, but you need good ventilation to stop condensation on the walls and mould building up. Consider installing extractor fans with humidistat controls in the bathroom and kitchen or a positive input ventilation system. These solutions effectively remove exhaust water vapour from inside without you needing to keep windows open during cold weather. If you have trickle vents already, make sure they are open, even when it’s cold or wet outside.

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Installing insulation effectively

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When installing insulation measures, rely on a competent tradesperson who uses the correct methods for your property. Gaps left in insulation can cause patches of condensation, and external wall insulation must be installed without compromising the damp-proof course. For example, a leaking roof or broken/blocked rainwater downpipe could cause water to penetrate through the newly installed cavity insulation and into the internal side of the wall. Note that installing insulation in one part of your home may not prevent condensation in other parts.

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Maintaining a Damp-Free Living Environment

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Here are some more low-cost, practical tips to maintain a healthy indoor living environment:

Avoid drying clothes indoors whenever possible. If you must dry them indoors, choose a room with an extractor fan running and keep the door closed. Don’t dry your clothes on radiators because the moisture evaporates off them and builds up on the walls as condensation.
Use heating controls and timers to achieve a stable and moderate temperature for long periods of time. Avoid turning it up for short bursts when you feel cold. This will keep the walls and ceilings warm, preventing condensation. It can be more cost-effective to heat the home this way, too. This rule applies to any unused rooms you might have, too.
Ventilate your home effectively by using extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom. Regularly clean and maintain them in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. Leave window trickle vents open and don’t cover or obstruct air bricks.
Wipe away condensation on windows as often as it occurs. Without doing this, water will run onto walls and cause mould growth.
Reduce the amount of moisture in the air by putting lids on saucepans, not leaving kettles to boil unnecessarily, pre-filling baths with cold water before adding warm water, and refraining from using unvented gas or paraffin heating appliances.
Position furniture away from external walls to improve airflow and prevent dampness.
Report any water ingress to your landlord if you live in a private rented property. If the repairs are not promptly addressed, you can escalate the issue to the Local Authority.
Clean mould growth as soon as you see it. Use a fungicidal solution to clean the surface and then decorate using mould-inhibiting paint.

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