The windows throughout your home open up to the outdoors, a way to draw 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 covered in a layer of condensation.
Not only are windows plastered with condensation unattractive, they also can be a symptom of a more serious air-quality problem throughout your home. Thankfully, there’s several things you can attempt to correct the problem.
What Produces Condensation on Windows
Condensation on the inside of windows is produced by the moist warm air in your home hitting the cold surface of the windows. It’s particularly prevalent over the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is in your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When talking about condensation, it’s important to understand the distinction 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 within a window is caused from the warm humid air throughout your home collecting against the glass.
- The moisture you see between windowpanes is caused when the window seal fails and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, in which case the window has to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be solved by adjusting the humidity across your home. Different things produce humidity throughout a home, like showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be Trouble
Though you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also 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 small film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Reduce Humidity in Your Home
Thankfully there are several options for extracting moisture from the air inside your home.
If you have a humidifier active within your home – whether it be a small-scale 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, look into getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers add moisture in your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.
Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from one room. However, these units require clearing water trays and generally service a small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture from your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which enables you to establish a humidity level the same as you would choose a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will start immediately when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation West Jefferson.
Alternative Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans near humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by drawing the warm, humid air from these rooms out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level in your home.
- Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air circulating throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one spot.
- Open window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by stopping the damp air from being trapped against the windowpane.
By decreasing humidity in your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.