The windows in your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to draw light in as 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 unsightly, they also can be a symptom of a more serious air-quality issue in your home. Luckily, there’s multiple things you can try to address the problem.
What Creates Condensation along Windows
Condensation on the inner layer of windows is formed by the moist warm air in your home hitting the cooler surface of your windows. It’s especially common in the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is within your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When discussing condensation, it’s necessary to recognize the difference between moisture on the inside of your windows compared 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 caused from the warm damp air inside your home condensing on the glass.
- Any moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal stops working and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and by then the window should be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation in the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be fixed by adjusting the humidity in your home. Many things generate humidity in a home, including showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be a Problem
Though you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic problem, it could also be evidence your home has high humidity. If this is the case, water might also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Decrease Humidity Throughout Your Home
Fortunately there are several options for eliminating moisture from the air throughout your home.
If you have a humidifier active in your home – whether it be a smaller unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home comes down.
If you don’t have a humidifier going and your home’s humidity level is excessive, think about getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduce moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.
Small, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from a single room. However, portable units require emptying out water trays and usually service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture from your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which enables you to set a humidity level precisely as you would pick a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will begin running automatically when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Lawrence.
Other Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans near humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by pulling the warm, humid air from these spaces out of your home before it can increase the humidity level in your home.
- Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air swirling inside the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one spot.
- Opening up window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by preventing the humid air from being caught against the windowpane.
By reducing humidity inside your home and moving air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.