I have two rooms with old metal windows that suffer from condensation. When they start to get that we start running dehumidifiers which sorts it out. But the condensation on the windows doesn't necessarily follow the conditions in the middle of the room, so we have to visually inspect. I am looking for something I can place on the window at the bottom and send notification as soon as it feels damp. Whatever it is will need to tolerate getting a little wet at times. Any recommendations?
What about a water leak sensor? Something like the smartthings one or even the cheaper xiaomi.
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I've had it with Xiaomi - can't get them to stay connected. I'll have a look at the smartthings ones.
Have you tried a temp/humidity sensor attached to the window? There should be an increase in humidity as well as a decrease in temperature in the small area at the window. You may be able to trigger off temp/humidity combinations.
TheSmartesthouse.com had a good deal on Fibaro flood sensors. I installed a couple and they seem to be working. They haven't had a flood to sense.
Lol yeah, the Aqara ones. I had them fixed to the window. Couldn't keep them connected to the hub. Now connected to ST hub and via Hub Link but they're far too quiet. I think they've dropped off that too (still sitting next to the hub so not sure why they're struggling). Couldn't find anything else for some reason
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Have you considered fixing the problem as opposed to dealing with the aftermath?
Condensation is mostly down to high humidity, cold surfaces (usually poor / old windows & doors letting in drafts) and poor ventilation.
We had years of problems in our house ... mould on walls, damp smells, water running down windows, etc. I put humidity sensors in all the rooms and at the worst times some of them were > 90%!
Now for the past 10 years or so we're 99% free of all of those issues with a handful of changes:
- Installed constant trickle extractor fans in the bathroom, kitchen and toilets .... these background spin all the time at low, silent speeds and then speed up as the humidity rises.
- Got into the habit of shutting the bathroom / toilet doors to minimise any escaping humid air.
- Got a heated clothes airer for winter usage, dries clothes much quicker and minimises wet air from clothes drying hanging around for long
- Installed a PIV system - Positive Input Ventilation from Nuaire - Positive Input Ventilation
The PIV install was actually the first thing we did, I was sceptical at first but I installed it around December 2010 at the height of our problems and within a few days there was a significant reduction in condensation in every room. Within a week the house was noticeably fresher, less damp smelling. Within a month most of the black mould patches had started drying out (going powdery grey).
Since then the other improvements have mostly been to maximise the benefits .... drier air in your house takes less effort to heat, so less expensive gas bills.
Nowadays humidity readings are stable through the whole house, mostly between 50% - 60%. Can't remember the last time I say any wetness on the windows on the inside and we've decorated rooms several times over since then and never had any more mould or damp patches.
Maybe worth a thought?
Yes, and rejected, other than use of dehumidifier in those two rooms, which is why we want the sensor, to let us know when it's time to turn it on. Believe me, all research has already been done. The proper fix would be to change the windows for new ones (which we have done in all the other rooms), but we don't wish to do that in the two front rooms for aesthetic reasons. Condensation, and excess humidity, are not a problem in our home generally, or even in those actual rooms, only on those two metal-framed old-style windows. And that is why I want the sensors on the windows themselves.
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