The windows of your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to draw light in when you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window coated in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a more substantial air-quality issue throughout your home. Luckily, there’s several things you can do to address the problem.

What Creates Condensation on Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is formed by the humid warm air throughout your home mixing with the colder surface of the windows. It’s particularly prevalent in 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 necessary to recognize the contrast 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 in your home forming along the glass.
  • Existing moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal fails and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and by then the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be solved by adjusting the humidity across your home. Many things cause humidity throughout a home, such as showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Could Mean a Problem

Even though you might consider condensation in your windows is a cosmetic issue, it can be indicating your home has higher humidity. If this is the case, water could also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can help wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity Inside Your Home

The good news is there are several options for eliminating moisture from the air inside your home.

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

Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from one room. However, these units require emptying water trays and generally service a small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture across your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which enables you to set a humidity level the same like you would choose a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will begin running instantly when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation New Castle.

Additional Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans in humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by drawing the warm, humid air from these rooms out of your home before it can increase the humidity level in your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air circulating throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one spot.
  • Opening your window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by stopping the damp air from being stuck against the windowpane.

By reducing humidity inside your home and moving air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.