The windows in your home open up to the outdoors, a way to allow light in when you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window plastered in a coating of condensation.
Not only are windows covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be evidence of a more serious air-quality deficit throughout your home. Thankfully, there’s multiple things you can do to address the problem.
What Causes Condensation on Windows
Condensation on the inside of windows is formed by the humid warm air throughout your home mixing with the cold surface of your windows. It’s notably prevalent over the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is inside your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When dealing with condensation, it’s important to know the distinction 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 throughout your home forming on the glass.
- Any moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal stops working and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, in which case the window has to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be fixed by adjusting the humidity across your home. Many things cause humidity throughout a home, like showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue
Although you might think condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic problem, it could also be a sign your home has excess humidity. If this is the case, water might also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can help wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Decrease Humidity in Your Home
Not to worry, because there are several options for extracting moisture from the air inside your home.
If you have a humidifier active within your home – whether it be a small unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home comes down.
If you don’t have a humidifier active and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, consider installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers add moisture in your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.
Compact, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from a single room. However, those units require clearing water trays and usually service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture from your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which allows you to specify a humidity level the same as you would pick a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will begin running immediately when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Plover.
Additional Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans in humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by extracting 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 flowing inside the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one area.
- Opening up window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the damp air from being stuck against the windowpane.
By lowering humidity across your home and circulating air throughout your home, you can make the most of clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.