The windows of your home are a gateway 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 coated in a coating of condensation.
Not only are windows plastered with condensation unsightly, they also can be a symptom of a more serious air-quality problem inside your home. Thankfully, there’s several things you can do to address the problem.
What Produces Condensation in Windows
Condensation on the inner layer of windows is formed by the moist warm air throughout your home reaching the cooler surface of the windows. It’s notably common over 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 recognize the difference between moisture on the inside of your windows versus 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 created from the warm damp air inside your home condensing on the glass.
- The moisture you notice between windowpanes is formed when the window seal fails and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, in which case the window should be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be fixed by adjusting the humidity inside your home. Different things cause humidity in a home, such as showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue
Even though you might think condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic problem, it can be a sign your home has high humidity. If that’s the case, water could also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can help wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Decrease Humidity Throughout Your Home
Thankfully there are several options for extracting moisture from the air in your home.
If you have a humidifier active in your home – whether it be a small unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home decreases.
If you don’t have a humidifier active and your home’s humidity level is high, look into installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.
Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from an entire room. However, portable units require emptying water trays and usually service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture across your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which enables you to set a humidity level precisely as you would pick a temperature via 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 will receive the best results if you contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Mobile.
Other Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans around humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by drawing the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level throughout your home.
- Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air swirling throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one spot.
- Opening up window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the humid air from being stuck against the windowpane.
By lowering humidity in your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.