The windows of your home open up to the outdoors, a way to draw light in when you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window coated in a coating of condensation.
Not only are windows coated in condensation unsightly, they also can be evidence of a more serious air-quality problem inside your home. Fortunately, there’s multiple things you can try to address the problem.
What Creates Condensation on Windows
Condensation on the interior of windows is formed by the humid warm air in your home mixing with the colder surface of your windows. It’s particularly commonplace over 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 crucial to know the distinction between moisture on the inside of your windows in comparison 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 collecting against the glass.
- The moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal stops working and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window should be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be solved by fine-tuning the humidity across your home. Numerous things produce humidity inside a home, such as showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue
Although you might consider condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also be indicating your home has higher humidity. If this is in fact the case, water could also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Reduce Humidity Throughout Your Home
Not to worry, because there are numerous options for extracting moisture from the air in your home.
If you have a humidifier running within your home – whether it be a small unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home goes down.
If you don’t have a humidifier running and your home’s humidity level is excessive, consider installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduce moisture in your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.
Small, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from an entire room. However, portable units require clearing water trays and generally service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture across your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which allows you to set a humidity level precisely as you would select a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will start automatically when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation East Bernard.
Additional Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans near humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by pulling 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 swirling within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one area.
- Opening up window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by preventing the warm air from being caught against the windowpane.
By decreasing humidity across your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can make the most of clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.