The windows throughout your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to let light in while you take in the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a layer of condensation.
Not only are windows covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a more serious air-quality issue throughout your home. Luckily, there’s several things you can attempt to resolve the problem.
What Creates Condensation in Windows
Condensation on the inner layer of windows is created by the moist warm air throughout your home hitting the cold surface of your windows. It’s notably commonplace in the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is in your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When discussing condensation, it’s important to recognize the contrast 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 on the inside of a window is produced from the warm moist air inside your home collecting along the glass.
- The moisture you see between windowpanes is produced when the window seal breaks down and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and by then the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be resolved by adjusting the humidity inside your home. Different things cause humidity inside a home, like showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be a Problem
Although you might consider condensation in your windows is a cosmetic issue, it could also be evidence your home has excess humidity. If that’s the case, water might also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Reduce Humidity Inside Your Home
Fortunately there are numerous options for removing moisture from the air in your home.
If you have a humidifier active 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 excessive, consider getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture into your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.
Compact, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from an entire room. However, those units require emptying water trays and most often service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture across your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which permits you to set a humidity level precisely as you would pick a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will begin running instantly when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Newton.
Other Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans in humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by pulling the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can raise the humidity level in your home.
- Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air flowing 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 stopping the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.
By decreasing humidity in your home and circulating air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.