The windows in your home open up to the outdoors, a way to let light in when you take in the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window coated in a layer of condensation.

Not only are windows coated in condensation unsightly, they also can be evidence of a more serious air-quality issue throughout your home. Fortunately, there’s several things you can do to address the problem.

What Produces Condensation in Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is produced by the damp warm air inside your home mixing with the cold surface of your windows. It’s especially common during the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with condensation, it’s necessary to recognize the distinction 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 within a window is created from the warm moist air inside your home collecting on the glass.
  • Existing moisture you notice between windowpanes is caused when the window seal fails and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window has to 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. Numerous things produce humidity throughout a home, like showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Can Be Trouble

Even though you might think condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic concern, it can be evidence your home has high humidity. If that’s the case, water may also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Lower Humidity in Your Home

Thankfully there are numerous options for removing moisture from the air inside your home.

If you have a humidifier operating within your home – whether it be a small unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home comes down.

If you don’t have a humidifier going and your home’s humidity level is high, consider getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture in your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.

Small, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from a single room. However, those units require emptying 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 regulated by a humidistat, which allows you to set a humidity level the same like you would pick a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will start immediately when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Jefferson.

Other Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans near humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by extracting the warm, humid air from these rooms out of your home before it can raise the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air swirling within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one area.
  • Opening your window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the humid air from being stuck against the windowpane.

By reducing humidity in your home and moving air throughout your home, you can make the most of clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.