The windows throughout your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to let light in as you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a coating of condensation.
Not only are windows covered in condensation unsightly, they also can be a symptom of a more serious air-quality issue throughout your home. Luckily, there’s numerous things you can attempt to correct the problem.
What Creates Condensation along Windows
Condensation on the inside of windows is formed by the damp warm air throughout your home hitting the colder surface of your windows. It’s particularly prevalent over the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is inside your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When dealing with condensation, it’s crucial to recognize the contrast between moisture on the inside of your windows in comparison to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an indoor air quality issue and the other is a window issue.
- Moisture on the inside of a window is produced from the warm humid air inside your home collecting on the glass.
- Existing moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal breaks down and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and by then the window should be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be solved by fine-tuning the humidity inside your home. Different things produce humidity throughout a home, like showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be a Problem
Even though you might presume condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic problem, it may also be indicating your home has higher humidity. If this is in fact the case, water may also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Lower Humidity Throughout Your Home
The good news is there are several options for removing moisture from the air inside your home.
If you have a humidifier operating within your home – whether it be a small-scale unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home goes down.
If you don’t have a humidifier active and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, consider purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture into your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.
Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from an entire room. However, these units require clearing water trays and generally service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture across your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which allows you to establish a humidity level the same like you would pick a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will begin running immediately when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation .
Other Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans in humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by drawing the warm, humid air from these rooms out of your home before it can increase the humidity level throughout your home.
- Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air moving within the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one spot.
- Opening up window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by stopping the warm air from being caught against the windowpane.
By lowering humidity in your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.