The windows of your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to let light in while you appreciate the view of your garden, yard, or scenery. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window covered in a film of condensation.
Not only are windows covered in condensation unappealing, but they also can be a sign of a larger air-quality deficit throughout your home. Thankfully, there are 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 colder surface of the windows. It’s notably common in the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is in your home.
When talking about condensation, it’s important to recognize the difference 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 inside a window is caused by the warm moist air in your home condensing on the glass.
- The moisture you find between windowpanes is formed when the window seal breaks down and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and by then the window should be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be solved by fine-tuning the humidity in your home. Many things generate humidity inside a home, like showers, cooking, taking a bath, or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be a Problem
Although you might think condensation in your windows is a cosmetic issue, it may also be evidencing your home has excess humidity. If this is the case, water may also be collecting on window frames, cold walls, or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can help wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Decrease Humidity in Your Home
Not to worry, because 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 comes down.
If you don’t have a humidifier going and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, look into getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers add moisture inside 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 a single room. However, these units require emptying water trays and most often service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture across your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which enables you to establish a humidity level precisely as you would pick a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will begin running instantly when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Huffman.
- Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans near humidity hotspots such as 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 in your home.
- Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air circulating within the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one spot.
- Open window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the damp air from being stuck against the windowpane.
By reducing humidity in your home and moving air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.
