The windows of your home open up to the outdoors, a way to let light in while you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window covered in a coating of condensation.
Not only are windows coated in condensation unsightly, they also can be a symptom of a more serious air-quality issue in your home. Luckily, there’s numerous things you can try to address the problem.
What Causes Condensation on Windows
Condensation on the inner layer of windows is formed by the moist warm air throughout your home reaching the colder surface of the windows. It’s notably commonplace during the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is within 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 indoor air quality issue and the other is a window issue.
- Moisture inside a window is produced from the warm humid air inside your home collecting on the glass.
- The moisture you see between windowpanes is formed when the window seal fails and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window should be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be fixed by changing the humidity inside your home. Many things produce humidity inside a home, like showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be Trouble
Although you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic issue, it can be indicating your home has high humidity. If this is the case, water could also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Decrease Humidity in Your Home
The good news is there are numerous options for removing moisture from the air in your home.
If you have a humidifier active within your home – whether it be a smaller unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home goes down.
If you don’t have a humidifier active and your home’s humidity level is high, think about purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduce moisture inside 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 a single room. However, portable units require clearing water trays and generally service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture from your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which enables you to specify a humidity level just as you would pick a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will run automatically when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Circleville.
Additional Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans near humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by drawing the warm, humid air from these spaces out of your home before it can raise the humidity level throughout your home.
- Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air moving inside the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one area.
- Opening your window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the warm air from being trapped against the windowpane.
By lowering humidity inside your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can make the most of clear, moisture-free windows even in the middle of the winter.