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 want to see is a sweaty window coated in a coating of condensation.
Not only are windows plastered with condensation unattractive, they also can be evidence of a more serious air-quality problem inside your home. Fortunately, there’s several things you can try to correct the problem.
What Produces Condensation on Windows
Condensation on the inner layer of windows is produced by the damp warm air in your home hitting the cold surface of your windows. It’s especially common during the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is inside 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 within a window is caused from the warm moist air in your home condensing along the glass.
- Existing moisture you see between windowpanes is formed when the window seal fails and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window has to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation in the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be resolved by changing the humidity in your home. Many things generate humidity inside a home, including showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.
Why Indoor Sweating on Windows Could Mean Trouble
Although you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it could also be indicating your home has higher humidity. If that’s the case, water could also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Lower Humidity in Your Home
Not to worry, because there are numerous options for removing moisture from the air inside your home.
If you have a humidifier running in your home – whether it be a smaller unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home decreases.
If you don’t have a humidifier going and your home’s humidity level is high, consider getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture in your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.
Small, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from a single room. However, portable units require emptying water trays and usually service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture across your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which permits you to set a humidity level the same like you would choose a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will begin running automatically when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation New Castle.
Other Ways to Decrease 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 extracting the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can increase the humidity level inside your home.
- Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air moving within the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one place.
- Open window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by stopping the humid air from being stuck against the windowpane.
By reducing humidity inside your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.