The windows throughout your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to allow light in when you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a film of condensation.

Not only are windows coated in condensation unsightly, they also can be a sign of a larger air-quality issue within your home. Fortunately, there’s numerous things you can try to address the problem.

What Produces Condensation in Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is formed by the damp warm air throughout your home hitting the cooler surface of the windows. It’s especially commonplace during the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is in your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with condensation, it’s crucial to know the difference between moisture on the inside of your windows compared to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture inside a window is created from the warm damp air inside your home forming along the glass.
  • Any moisture you find between windowpanes is formed when the window seal breaks down and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be fixed by adjusting the humidity inside your home. Different things produce humidity inside a home, including showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Can Be an Issue

Though you might think condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic concern, it can be evidence your home has excess humidity. If this is in fact the case, water may also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity Inside Your Home

Thankfully there are several options for extracting moisture from the air throughout your home.

If you have a humidifier operating in your home – whether it be a small unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home decreases.

If you don’t have a humidifier active and your home’s humidity level is high, think about purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture into your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.

Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from an entire room. However, these units require clearing water trays and most often service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture throughout your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which enables you to establish a humidity level the same like you would pick a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will begin running instantly when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Justin.

Other Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans in humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these areas out of your home before it can increase the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air flowing throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one area.
  • Open window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the damp air from being caught against the windowpane.

By decreasing humidity inside your home and circulating air throughout your home, you can make the most of clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.