Artificial thermal bridge with a dew point switch to accomplish an appropriate control of the ventilation for the prevention of mould growth in buildings

The well known problem of global warming due to the green house effect has provoked the Kyoto Protocol, which first of all means energy saving. In colder regions the highest amount of energy is consumed by the heating of buildings. Beside a better insulation the diminishment of ventilation losses is a common way for saving energy. Unfortunately this increases the risk of mould growth, which is determined by the temperature and relative humidity of the inner wall surface. An appropriate ventilation system has to prevent surface conditions suited for mould. For energy saving purposes permanent ventilation is no solution. Instead the ventilation has to take place subjected to unsteady humidification processes like cooking or bathing. The measurement of surface temperature and humidity to control the ventilation is too expensive and needs continuous maintenance. Instead the proposed innovative control system uses a thermal bridge, designed in such a way, that there dew water occurs just at the same time, when in problematic areas like corners conditions for mould are reached. The thermal bridge is equipped with a dew sensor switching the ventilator. Just when condensation has stopped and the surface of this sensor has dried the ventilator will be deactivated. This ensures that the ventilation occurs only when required. Additional advantages are the simplicity and cheapness of this system combined with the lack of necessary service.