ᐅ Closet Against an Insulated Exterior Wall – Risk of Mold?
Created on: 14 Oct 2020 20:42
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SchinkenSpicke
Hello dear community,
Due to limited space, I want to place a large wardrobe against an exterior wall. It would have a gap of only 2-3 cm (1 inch), no more. Normally, as far as I know, this is not recommended because of the risk of mold, but I have read online that this can be done with very well-insulated walls.
The wall is made of concrete with added external thermal insulation. The building envelope has a U-value of 0.37 W/(m²K), and the windows have a U-value of 0.7 W/(m²K). Overall, the building achieves an energy rating of B on the energy certificate, with an energy demand of 59 kWh/(m²a).
Do you think this insulation level is sufficient to avoid any mold risk? How would you assess this situation?
Thank you very much and best regards!
Due to limited space, I want to place a large wardrobe against an exterior wall. It would have a gap of only 2-3 cm (1 inch), no more. Normally, as far as I know, this is not recommended because of the risk of mold, but I have read online that this can be done with very well-insulated walls.
The wall is made of concrete with added external thermal insulation. The building envelope has a U-value of 0.37 W/(m²K), and the windows have a U-value of 0.7 W/(m²K). Overall, the building achieves an energy rating of B on the energy certificate, with an energy demand of 59 kWh/(m²a).
Do you think this insulation level is sufficient to avoid any mold risk? How would you assess this situation?
Thank you very much and best regards!
Manfred Weigl15 Oct 2020 22:50A wardrobe is often located in the bedroom. If you prefer a cold bedroom, you should definitely avoid leaving the door to the heated living area open during the heating season. Although warm air usually has a relatively low humidity in winter, it still contains enough moisture to cause condensation on an unheated bedroom wall. Therefore, heat only within the room itself and never use (moist) living area air. With properly insulated exterior walls, this will prevent mold from forming behind the wardrobe.
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SchinkenSpicke16 Oct 2020 22:30For me, the bedroom can be a bit warmer; I’m not really a fan of a cold bedroom. But what I don’t quite understand is this: Why is it good to heat the bedroom if, at the same time, heat comes in from other rooms — then that’s considered bad?
Do you both have opinions on heating cables on the wall, ventilation grilles in the closet, or perhaps even chemical anti-mold treatment for the wall?
Do you both have opinions on heating cables on the wall, ventilation grilles in the closet, or perhaps even chemical anti-mold treatment for the wall?
Manfred Weigl16 Oct 2020 23:25If all rooms are kept at the same temperature, it actually doesn’t matter where the heat comes from. The important point is that in the coldest room, where there may be air exchange between rooms and therefore the same absolute humidity, the relative humidity will logically be highest. Normally, this doesn’t cause any problems. However, some people still prefer a cold bedroom. And in that very room, there is often a wardrobe filled with clothes. This wardrobe prevents the exterior wall behind it from warming up, so the wall behind the wardrobe becomes even colder, and in extreme cases, the wall can become damp from the cooled indoor air and then develop mold.
It’s simply because warm air can hold relatively more moisture, which is desirable for living spaces since the relative humidity decreases as the temperature rises. But this air can be too moist for a cold wall in a cold bedroom, especially behind a well-insulated wardrobe against an exterior wall. So never allow warm air from the living area into a cold bedroom with a wardrobe on the exterior wall. If it gets too cold, it is better to turn up the heating in the bedroom.
It’s simply because warm air can hold relatively more moisture, which is desirable for living spaces since the relative humidity decreases as the temperature rises. But this air can be too moist for a cold wall in a cold bedroom, especially behind a well-insulated wardrobe against an exterior wall. So never allow warm air from the living area into a cold bedroom with a wardrobe on the exterior wall. If it gets too cold, it is better to turn up the heating in the bedroom.
Manfred Weigl17 Oct 2020 14:23Sorry, I forgot to answer the last questions.
So, I would avoid heating cables. I’m too cautious because of the fire risk. In normally heated apartments with insulated exterior walls, it’s definitely not a problem to place a cabinet against the wall. I only know of mold occurring in houses with old solid brick walls without additional exterior insulation.
I also wouldn’t use any fungicides against mold. I lived in an old house until I went to university. The exterior wall of my cold bedroom was actually the old city wall that our house was built against. You could only heat rooms where a fireplace connection was possible. Mold was completely normal to me as a child and never bothered me. I never had allergies or any unusual illnesses. That’s probably why I am a bit too relaxed about this topic.
So, I would avoid heating cables. I’m too cautious because of the fire risk. In normally heated apartments with insulated exterior walls, it’s definitely not a problem to place a cabinet against the wall. I only know of mold occurring in houses with old solid brick walls without additional exterior insulation.
I also wouldn’t use any fungicides against mold. I lived in an old house until I went to university. The exterior wall of my cold bedroom was actually the old city wall that our house was built against. You could only heat rooms where a fireplace connection was possible. Mold was completely normal to me as a child and never bothered me. I never had allergies or any unusual illnesses. That’s probably why I am a bit too relaxed about this topic.
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