The windows in your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to draw light in when you take in the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window plastered in a coating of condensation.
Not only are windows coated in condensation unattractive, they also can be evidence of a more substantial air-quality issue in your home. Fortunately, there’s numerous things you can do to address the problem.
What Creates Condensation in Windows
Condensation on the inner layer of windows is formed by the damp warm air inside your home mixing with the cooler surface of your windows. It’s particularly common around 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 crucial to know the difference 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 humid air in your home collecting along the glass.
- The moisture you notice between windowpanes is produced when the window seal fails and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be solved by fine-tuning the humidity inside your home. Different things cause humidity inside a home, such as showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be Trouble
Even though you might consider condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic issue, it may also be indicating your home has higher humidity. If this is in fact the case, water could also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Decrease Humidity Inside Your Home
Thankfully there are several options for eliminating moisture from the air in your home.
If you have a humidifier running inside your home – whether it be a small-scale 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 excessive, consider purchasing 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.
Small, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from an entire room. However, those units require clearing water trays and most often service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture throughout your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which enables you to establish a humidity level just as you would select a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will run instantly 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 Pella.
Other Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans around humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by drawing the warm, humid air from these areas out of your home before it can raise the humidity level in your home.
- Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air swirling inside the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one area.
- Open window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by stopping the damp air from being stuck against the windowpane.
By lowering humidity in your home and moving air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.