The windows in your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to allow light in as you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a film of condensation.

Not only are windows covered in condensation unsightly, they also can be evidence of a larger air-quality issue inside your home. Luckily, there’s multiple things you can try to address the problem.

What Causes Sweating along Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is formed by the humid warm air in your home reaching the cold surface of the windows. It’s especially prevalent during the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When talking about condensation, it’s important to know the contrast between moisture on the inside of your windows versus moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture inside a window is caused from the warm moist air throughout your home condensing along the glass.
  • Existing moisture you notice between windowpanes is produced when the window seal stops working and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, in which case the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be resolved by adjusting the humidity inside your home. Many things cause humidity inside a home, like showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Can Be an Issue

Though you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic problem, it could also be evidence your home has higher humidity. If this is in fact the case, water may 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 Lower Humidity Throughout Your Home

Fortunately there are several options for removing moisture from the air in your home.

If you have a humidifier running 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 going and your home’s humidity level is excessive, think about getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.

Compact, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from an entire room. However, portable units require emptying water trays and usually service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture from your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which permits you to establish a humidity level precisely like you would select a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will begin running immediately when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation East Bernard.

Alternative Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans in humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by drawing the warm, moist air from these spaces out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level inside your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air circulating within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one area.
  • Opening up window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.

By lowering humidity in your home and moving air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the middle of the winter.