The windows in your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to let light in while you take in the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a film of condensation.
Not only are windows covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be a symptom of a larger air-quality deficit in your home. Luckily, there’s several things you can attempt to correct the problem.
What Produces Condensation in Windows
Condensation on the inside of windows is created by the damp warm air throughout your home reaching the colder surface of your windows. It’s particularly commonplace around the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is within your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When talking about condensation, it’s crucial to understand the distinction 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 inside a window is produced from the warm humid air inside your home forming on the glass.
- Any moisture you see between windowpanes is produced when the window seal fails and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window has to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be resolved by fine-tuning the humidity in your home. Many things produce humidity throughout a home, such as showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be Trouble
Even though you might consider condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic problem, it may also be a sign your home has higher humidity. If this is in fact the case, water might also be accumulating 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 Throughout Your Home
Not to worry, because there are various options for extracting moisture from the air throughout your home.
If you have a humidifier running in your home – whether it be a small 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 high, consider installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers add moisture into your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.
Small, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from one room. However, these units require emptying out water trays and most often service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture across your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which enables you to set a humidity level precisely as you would select a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will start automatically when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Kutztown and Breinigsville.
Other Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans around humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by pulling the warm, humid air from these rooms out of your home before it can increase the humidity level in your home.
- Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air circulating within the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one place.
- Opening your window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the damp air from being trapped against the windowpane.
By reducing humidity across your home and moving air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.