The windows of your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to draw light in while you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a layer 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. Fortunately, there’s numerous things you can try to correct the problem.
What Produces Condensation in Windows
Condensation on the inner layer of windows is produced by the humid warm air throughout your home reaching the cooler surface of your windows. It’s especially commonplace during the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is within your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When discussing condensation, it’s necessary to know the contrast 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 created from the warm damp air throughout your home collecting on the glass.
- Any moisture you notice between windowpanes is caused when the window seal breaks down 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 resolved by fine-tuning the humidity in your home. Different things generate humidity in a home, including showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.
Why Sweating Windows Could Mean a Problem
Although you might think condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic issue, it can be a sign your home has higher humidity. If this is the case, water could also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small film of water can help 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 various options for extracting moisture from the air in your home.
If you have a humidifier operating in 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 active and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, consider purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture into your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.
Compact, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from one room. However, portable units require emptying water trays and generally service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture from your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which permits you to establish a humidity level just like you would choose a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will begin running automatically when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Moline.
Alternative Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans near humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by drawing the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can raise the humidity level across your home.
- Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air flowing throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one area.
- Opening up window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the damp air from being caught against the windowpane.
By decreasing humidity across your home and circulating air throughout your home, you can make the most of clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.
