A build-up of moisture in your home could result in mould. You can avoid this by both heating and ventilating your home.
You could reduce the moisture in your home by:
- keeping the lids on pans when you cook,
- drying clothes outside instead of on a radiator,
- venting your tumble dryer outside,
- avoiding using paraffin heaters or bottled gas heaters, and
- taking cooler showers and baths.
You can let moist air out of your home and fresh air in, by:
- using extractor fans to get rid of moist air and reduce condensation build up, and
- keeping your kitchen or bathroom door shut and windows open when cooking or bathing.
You could improve your home's warmth by:
- installing loft insulation (to the recommended depth of 270mm),
- draught-proofing your windows and doors,
- installing cavity wall insulation if your home is suitable for it, and
- installing double glazing on draughty windows.
You should also heat rooms that you do not use, as colder rooms are more likely to get damp and mould. A healthy home temperature is between 18 to 23 degrees Celsius.
Cooking up good air quality for better wellbeing
We have worked with Cardiff University and other partners to research how cooking indoors:
- affects indoor air quality, and
- impacts the health and wellbeing of people from ethnic minorities.
You can find out more about the research on the Cardiff University website.
You can also find practical tips and advice on how you can improve your air quality whilst cooking on the ORCA Cardiff University website.
