Swift Motorhome Owners Service Manual page 195

C O ND EN SATI ON
e. Fixed ventilation is provided in the vehicle,
specifically through the floor, it is important
not to block these.
f. Electrical heating is dryer than gas heating,
and introduces less moisture into the
atmosphere. Do not use additional portable
paraffin or flue-less gas heaters at all.
g. If left unoccupied and unheated for long
periods of time the temperatures can soak
down thermally into the entire product and
become very cold. Whenever possible, put
the heating on at a low level before use by
pre heating in cold weather.
h. Even with reasonable ventilation it is likely
if the temperature is less than 5
the humidity is high that condensation will
occur. Ideally the temperature should be
kept about 20
Mould Growth
Any sign of mould growth is an indication of
the presence of moisture and if caused by
condensation gives warning that heating or
ventilation may require improving.
New vehicles
New products take a long time before they are
fully 'dried out' because of the moisture in the
materials used during manufacture. While this
is happening extra heat and ventilation will be
required.
How can you prevent condensation
Provide ventilation so that moist air
can escape.
a. Good ventilation of kitchens when washing,
cooking or drying damp clothes is essential.
Open the skylights or windows slightly, but
keep the door closed as much as possible.
b. After showering, keep the bathroom window
or skylights open, and shut the bathroom
door long enough to dry off the room.
c. In all other areas provide some ventilation.
Fixed ventilation is provided in accordance
with BS EN 721: 1998 this is through
skylights and 'Heki roof lights' in the roofs
and from ventilators through the floor under
cookers, doors and in bed boxes it is
important not to block these.
194
C and
o
C when occupied.
o
Too much ventilation in cold weather is
uncomfortable and wastes heat. All that is
needed is a very slightly opened window
or skylights. Opening a skylight or 'Heki;
rooflights partially or windows opened to about
1cm will usually be sufficient.
Provide reasonable heating
a. Do not use portable paraffin or flueless gas
heaters at all.
b. If drying damp clothes or towels, open
a window enough to ventilate the area
and turn on the electric element of the
space heater but do not hang items over
the heater.
c. Try to make sure that all areas are at least
partially heated. Condensation most often
occurs in unheated areas.
d. To prevent condensation, the heat has to
keep room surfaces reasonably warm. It
can take a long time for a cold motorhome
to warm up, so it is better to have a small
amount of heat for a long period than a lot
of heat for a short time.
Motorhomes use only carefully selected
insulation materials but unlike most rooms at
home all walls are exterior walls, so they lose
heat through all walls as well as the roof and
floor.
Even in a well insulated motorhome with
reasonable ventilation, it is likely that
during cold weather (less than 10 deg
C) condensation will occur. Ideally the
temperature should be kept about 20°C
although this is not always possible.
Mould growth
Any sign of mould growth is an indication of
the presence of moisture and if caused by
condensation gives warning that heating or
ventilation, may require improving.