The windows in your home open up to the outdoors, a way to draw light in as you take in the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window covered in a coating of condensation.
Not only are windows plastered with condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a larger air-quality deficit throughout your home. Fortunately, there’s several things you can try to address the problem.
What Produces Condensation in Windows
Condensation on the inside of windows is formed by the moist warm air throughout your home hitting the cold surface of the windows. It’s notably common in 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 important to recognize the distinction between moisture on the inside of your windows in comparison to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.
- Moisture inside a window is produced from the warm moist air in your home condensing on the glass.
- The moisture you find between windowpanes is caused when the window seal stops working 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 situation and can instead be resolved by fine-tuning the humidity across your home. Numerous things generate humidity inside a home, including showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be Trouble
Even though you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it could also be indicating your home has high 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 Decrease Humidity Throughout Your Home
Fortunately there are several options for extracting moisture from the air in your home.
If you have a humidifier running inside your home – whether it be a small-scale 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 high, look into getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduce moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t dry out, 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 out water trays and most often service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture across your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which enables you to specify a humidity level precisely as you would pick a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will begin running immediately when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Moline.
Other Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans in humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by pulling the warm, humid air from these areas out of your home before it can increase the humidity level in your home.
- Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air swirling within the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one spot.
- Opening your window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by stopping the damp air from being stuck against the windowpane.
By decreasing humidity across your home and moving air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.