Home efficiency

Insulation, solar, shading, ventilation, water saving, draught control, and climate-responsive upgrades.

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Home efficiency guides

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01HE

Home efficiency · 30 min assessment

How to reduce condensation and mould

Reduce indoor moisture, exhaust it at the source, warm cold surfaces, and clean growth safely while fixing the cause.

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A sound starting point

What to check first

The best efficiency upgrades reduce unwanted heat flow and moisture while protecting indoor air quality. Diagnose the climate and building before buying equipment.

Start with the envelope

Address major air leaks, insulation gaps, uncontrolled sun and moisture before oversizing heating or cooling.

Keep ventilation deliberate

A tighter home still needs reliable fresh-air and moisture control, especially in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms.

Measure the result

Compare bills carefully, track comfort and humidity, and verify that controls and schedules match occupancy.

South Africa · Australia · New Zealand

Regional context

The three countries span hot-humid, temperate, cold, alpine and mixed climates. An upgrade that works in one zone can increase overheating or condensation in another. Use local climate data and assess insulation, airtightness, vapour control, shading and ventilation as a connected system. Review summer and winter performance.

Plan the work

A better project brief

Measure the starting point

Record bills, indoor temperature, humidity, draughts and equipment schedules. A baseline makes comfort and savings claims testable.

Reduce loads before replacing plant

Address avoidable heat gain or loss, controls, maintenance and moisture before sizing heating, cooling or solar equipment.

Commission and review

Verify controls, airflow, safety, handover documents and actual operation in both warm and cool seasons.

Protect indoor air quality

Keep combustion safety, filtration, source extraction and outdoor-air supply in the project brief. Lower energy use is not a successful outcome if moisture or pollutants accumulate indoors.

Common questions

Home efficiency quick answers

Which efficiency upgrade should come first?+

It depends on climate and defects, but low-cost air sealing, shading, maintenance and controls often precede major equipment replacement.

Can insulation cause condensation?+

Poorly designed assemblies can trap moisture. Insulation, vapour control, airtightness and ventilation must work as a system.

Will sealing draughts make a home unhealthy?+

Uncontrolled leaks are not reliable ventilation. Improve airtightness together with deliberate outdoor-air and moisture control appropriate to the home and climate.

How can an efficiency claim be checked?+

Compare like-for-like periods using weather, occupancy, tariffs and comfort. Equipment labels and models should state assumptions rather than promise identical savings for every home.

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