The windows of 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 scenery. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window coated in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows coated in condensation unattractive, they also can be a sign of a more substantial air-quality deficit inside your home. Thankfully, there’s several things you can attempt to resolve the problem.

What Produces Condensation along Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is created by the moist warm air in your home hitting the colder surface of the windows. It’s particularly common during the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is in your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When discussing condensation, it’s crucial to recognize the distinction between moisture on the inside of your windows compared to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture within a window is produced from the warm moist air in your home condensing on the glass.
  • Existing moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal fails and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be fixed by adjusting the humidity across your home. Many things produce humidity in a home, including showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be Trouble

Even though you might presume condensation in your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also be evidence 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 slim film of water can help wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity in Your Home

Not to worry, because there are several options for removing moisture from the air inside your home.

If you have a humidifier active inside your home – whether it be a small unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home goes down.

If you don’t have a humidifier running and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, think about installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture in your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier extracts 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 generally service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture throughout your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which enables you to establish a humidity level the same like you would choose a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will start automatically when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation .

Alternative Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans around humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by drawing the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can increase the humidity level inside your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air moving inside the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one area.
  • Open window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the warm air from being caught against the windowpane.

By reducing humidity inside your home and moving air throughout your home, you can make the most of clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.