HEATING UP
Exact temperature to heat your home to stop mould and condensation while keeping bills down
Plus more cheap ways to tackle mould
NOT only is mould damaging for your health to have in your home, it is also an eyesore and can be costly to fix if the issue spreads.
With energy costs still relatively high, it has become a balancing act between avoiding big bills, and heating your home enough to keep the green stuff away.
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So, what is the right temperature to avoid mould building up in your home?
Ideally you will want to maintain a consistent room temperature of around 20°C, and avoid letting it drop below 16°C.
You should also aim to keep your humidity levels between 30% and 60%, any higher and there is too much moisture in the air.
You can use a thermometer and hygrometer to monitor the temperature and humidity in your home.
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While these may sound expensive, in a pleasant surprise you can pick up one of each for a collective total of around £20 from Amazon.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch, said: “The Energy Saving Trust recommends that people in good health heat their home to between 18 and 21 degrees celsius.
“They also estimate that people can save 10% on their energy bills for every degree they turn down their thermostat, so if you’re trying to keep costs low then do bear this in mind."
That means if you have your temperature set at the higher end, you can still turn the thermostat down and save cash while keeping mould at bay.
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How to prevent and stop mould?
Mould forms because the air holds moisture, which is something anyone who owns a dehumidifier will have seen first hand. The warmer the air, the more moisture it can hold.
If moist air is cooled by contact with cold surfaces, such as walls, windows or mirrors, the moisture condenses into water droplets, known as condensation.
The result of this condensation is often mould, which primarily affects the airways and lungs, but also has an impact on your eyes and skin.
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In fact, the respiratory effects of damp and mould can cause serious illness and, in the most severe cases, death.
Don’t worry though, preventing mould and removing mould are simple enough processes.
A hack to remove mould involves mixing one part bleach with four parts water, and applying the solution to the mouldy area with a cloth or brush.
Scrub gently until the mould is gone, then wipe away the bleach and dry the area.
Another tip is to mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a bottle and spray the mouldy area.
Vinegar is a natural mould killer that can help loosen mould from fabric.
To prevent mould, you want to reduce moisture levels, so simply opening windows and doors to let fresh air in can do the job.
If you are still worried about mould potentially building up in your home, a sure fire way to help prevent it is the use of a dehumidifier.
While these do vary in price, you can pick up a small one from Amazon for within the £40 to £50 range.
Gallizzi said: “As winter arrives, many people dry wet clothes on radiators or airers, but this releases moisture into your home.
“Try to avoid this where you can or consider using a dehumidifier to remove excess water from the air. This helps to combat condensation and prevent mould growth.
“As well as plug-in dehumidifiers, you could also try moisture absorbing tabs, which can minimise condensation from building up on your windows.”
Energy bills are set to go up again, so brace yourself
The average household’s annual gas and electricity bill under the July to September 2024 price cap is £1,568, according to government data.
That’s a big drop from the peak of £2,380 we saw between October 2022 and June 2023, but it’s still 29% higher than what we were paying in Winter 2021/22.
But there’s more bad news, the price cap will jump by 10% to £1,717 from October 2024, and experts say it’ll rise another 3% in early 2025.
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Right now, gas costs 5.5p per kilowatt hour (kWh) and electricity is 23.4p per kWh, with standing charges at 31.4p a day for gas and 60.1p a day for electricity.
From September 2024 however, gas prices will climb to 6.2p per kWh and electricity will go up to 24.5p per kWh, with a slight increase in standing charges too.
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