The windows in your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to draw light in while 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 film of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unattractive, they also can be a sign of a more serious air-quality deficit within your home. Fortunately, there’s several things you can try to address the problem.

What Produces Condensation in Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is formed by the humid warm air in your home mixing with the cooler surface of the windows. It’s notably prevalent over the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is in your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When discussing condensation, it’s important to recognize 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 on the inside of a window is caused from the warm damp air inside your home condensing along the glass.
  • Existing moisture you notice between windowpanes is formed when the window seal breaks down and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and by then the window has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be fixed by fine-tuning the humidity in your home. Many things cause humidity inside a home, like showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Can Be a Problem

Even though you might presume condensation in your windows is a cosmetic problem, it could also be a sign your home has higher humidity. If that’s the case, water may also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Lower Humidity Inside Your Home

The good news is there are various options for extracting moisture from the air inside your home.

If you have a humidifier active 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 excessive, look into installing 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 eliminate the water from one room. However, these units require clearing water trays and usually service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture throughout your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which enables you to specify a humidity level the same like you would pick a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will start automatically when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation York.

Additional Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans around humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by pulling the warm, humid air from these spaces out of your home before it can increase the humidity level inside your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air circulating within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one spot.
  • Opening up window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by preventing the damp air from being trapped against the windowpane.

By decreasing humidity in your home and circulating air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.