Cabinet in front of insulated exterior wall - risk of mold?

Hello dear community,

due to space constraints, I want to place a large wardrobe against an exterior wall. It would have a 2-3 cm distance from it, no more. Normally, as far as I know, you shouldn’t do this because of the risk of mold, but I have read on the internet that with very well insulated walls this can actually be done.

The wall consists of concrete with an added thermal insulation. The building envelope has a U-value of 0.37 W/(m²K), the windows have a U-value of 0.7 W/(m²K). Overall, the building reaches energy efficiency class B with an energy demand of 59 kWh/(m²a) according to the energy certificate.

Do you think this is good enough to eliminate the risk of mold? How do you assess the situation?

Thank you very much and best regards!

New building? Well-ventilated room or rather rarely ventilated? What is, for example, the humidity in the room right now?

New building? Well-ventilated room or rather rarely ventilated? For example, what is the humidity in the room right now?

Late 70s construction that was energetically refurbished. Daily shock ventilation is done. Unfortunately, I don't know the humidity because I will just move in there. However, I could measure it in the next few days when I go there again.

If it is a reasonably well-heated and regularly ventilated room, you can take that risk.

If, on the other hand, you celebrate the typical "I first walk into a vapor barrier when I enter in winter" feeling common in retrofitted and airtight old buildings in your future domicile, ventilate only sporadically, and heat poorly, there is still a small risk. So it’s entirely up to you!

P.S.: Ventilating once a day might, with some luck, just be enough to prevent mold, but the air is really healthier and more pleasant with multiple ventilations...

Hm thank you very much for your contribution.

Would it possibly be sensible to additionally insert ventilation grilles into the cabinet back panel or to place a plinth heater (also known as heating cable) behind the cabinet?

Phew, I am not familiar with that. The two measures certainly won’t make it worse. However, the most important thing is that the basic humidity level in the room is not critically high. And to be honest, if the fear of mold behind the wardrobe leads you to always ventilate well and at least heat a little, then having the wardrobe against the wall actually gains you more than it risks. Look on the bright side