RV Condensation

by JOANNE MOLNARE

We have been Full Time RVing since November of 08 and we love it. But we are in a very small 25 ft RV, and the moisture on the windows is killing me.

We have no leaks, I feel its just the cooking, showers and breathing that creates the condensation. I don't think we are ready to give any one of those up.

Do you have a suggestion? Hope you can help. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks

Comments for
RV Condensation

Click here to add your own comments

Feb 17, 2010

RV Dehumidifier
by: Sharon

If you're short on save inside your RV Dometic Corporation has the first ever Dehumidifier Air Conditioner combo rooftop unit specifically designed for RVs. It's an 11,00Btu unit that can remove up to 12 gallons of water from your RV every 24 hours. You can adjust it from 35 to 70 percent to personalize your comfort level.

The unit is also eco-friendly using R-410A refrigerant which releases heat better than R22.

The RV dehumidifier operates with Dometic's Comfort Control Center II and is powered by 120-volt-AC and a 3.5kilowatt generator when used with electrical hookups. A larger generator is necessary when boon docking.

The unit is currently selling for around $1,159.

Jan 27, 2010

An additonal thought
by: Andy & Bobbie Harley

On the dehumidifyers you could add a drainage tube to drain to the outside and save the hassell of having to deal with emting the drip pan & it would emidiately exspell the moisture out of the rig.
-Andy

Jan 27, 2010

Dehumidifiers
by: Will Imanse

We use a full sized home type dehumidifier. When we first put it in we were having to empty it everyday. It has a 3 gallon tank. Yes you read that right, the unit was collecting 3 gallons of water a day for the first couple of days. A lot of that water would have been in the walls, carpet, our stored clothing, upholstery etc. After about three days the RV started to feel a lot more comfortable.
As an added side benefit the Dehumidifier puts out a small amount of heat as a byproduct. We find that it is enough to keep our inside temperature about 10 degrees Centigrade (18 Fahrenheit)above the outside temperature. This also means having to run our furnace a lot less.
We keep our dehumidifier under our dinette table. About the only time we have to move it is when we have company over for dinner, and we need the extra leg room.
Maintenance is minor, and involves having to take out the air filter every 3 months or so and vacuuming or washing it. Otherwise we just have to make sure that the unit does not freeze up, when this happens a block of ice forms on the coils and it effectively stops working. For this problem we just turn it off till the ice melts and it is ready to go again. We have found that the unit will only ice up if the ambient temperature in the rig gets below about 15C or 60F.
Will Imanse

X Close Editor

Jan 27, 2010
Rating

Submitted by: Will Imanse

Title

Comment
We use a full sized home type dehumidifier. When we first put it in we were having to empty it everyday. It has a 3 gallon tank. Yes you read that right, the unit was collecting 3 gallons of water a day for the first couple of days. A lot of that water would have been in the walls, carpet, our stored clothing, upholstery etc. After about three days the RV started to feel a lot more comfortable. As an added side benefit the Dehumidifier puts out a small amount of heat as a byproduct. We find that it is enough to keep our inside temperature about 10 degrees Centigrade (18 Fahrenheit)above the outside temperature. This also means having to run our furnace a lot less. We keep our dehumidifier under our dinette table. About the only time we have to move it is when we have company over for dinner, and we need the extra leg room. Maintenance is minor, and involves having to take out the air filter every 3 months or so and vacuuming or washing it. Otherwise we just have to make sure that the unit does not freeze up, when this happens a block of ice forms on the coils and it effectively stops working. For this problem we just turn it off till the ice melts and it is ready to go again. We have found that the unit will only ice up if the ambient temperature in the rig gets below about 15C or 60F. Will Imanse

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

throbber Updating Comments page...

Jan 27, 2010

Plastic Window Kits
by: Sharon

If you have single pane windows on your RV they won't be as effective at keeping the cold out.

Adding plastic films on the inside of your RV can help keep out the cold and reduce condensation.

Look for vinyl, polyester or polyethylene which is available in several thicknesses. Thicker plastics will be more expensive, but easier to work with and will last longer.

Home Depot has clear plastic window kits that stretch to fit when heated by a hair dryer. I've used these myself and they are very effective at keeping out the cold.

Jan 26, 2010

How Fight Condensation Your RV
by: Sharon

RV Condensation on your windows happens when the warm, moist air inside of your RV comes into contact with a cool surface such as your windows. You can see it on the windows, but it may also be building up in your interior walls of your RV. This can cause mold and mildew that would be very harmful to your health.

You are right that the moist air forms from cooking, showering, hot water dish washing, and just plain breathing.

The most common way to reduce the condensation is fresh air exchange - by just cracking a window, exhaust fan or roof vent. Especially when you are creating significant moisture with any of the above tasks. So, if you're cooking and creating a lot of steam run your roof-exhaust fan and crack a window to reduce the moisture build-up.

If this doesn't reduce the condensation in your motor-home you could try using an RV dehumidifier. Eva-Dry makes an electric petite dehumidifier that doesn't use a compressor so it is quiet and lightweight. It will remove the moisture from the air in your RV and store it in a spill-proof reservoir. It will help protect you and your rig from mold, mildew and moisture build-up and can be used in any room where dampness and humidity is a problem. The Eva-Dry unit has an auto shut off, so if the reservoir is full it will turn off. There is also an indicator light that alerts you that the unit needs to be emptied.

A small unit like this designed for RV use can really make a difference in such a small space. I hope this was helpful. If anyone else has any suggestions, please contribute your tips.

X Close Editor

Jan 26, 2010
Rating

Submitted by: Sharon

Title

Comment
RV Condensation on your windows happens when the warm, moist air inside of your RV comes into contact with a cool surface such as your windows. You can see it on the windows, but it may also be building up in your interior walls of your RV. This can cause mold and mildew that would be very harmful to your health. You are right that the moist air forms from cooking, showering, hot water dish washing, and just plain breathing. The most common way to reduce the condensation is fresh air exchange - by just cracking a window, exhaust fan or roof vent. Especially when you are creating significant moisture with any of the above tasks. So, if you're cooking and creating a lot of steam run your roof-exhaust fan and crack a window to reduce the moisture build-up. If this doesn't reduce the condensation in your motor-home you could try using an RV dehumidifier. Eva-Dry makes an electric petite dehumidifier that doesn't use a compressor so it is quiet and lightweight. It will remove the moisture from the air in your RV and store it in a spill-proof reservoir. It will help protect you and your rig from mold, mildew and moisture build-up and can be used in any room where dampness and humidity is a problem. The Eva-Dry unit has an auto shut off, so if the reservoir is full it will turn off. There is also an indicator light that alerts you that the unit needs to be emptied. A small unit like this designed for RV use can really make a difference in such a small space. I hope this was helpful. If anyone else has any suggestions, please contribute your tips.

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

throbber Updating Comments page...

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to RV Q and A

Return to Full Time RVing Home Page