The windows in your home open up to the outdoors, a way to draw light in as you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a coating of condensation.
Not only are windows plastered with condensation unappealing, they also can be evidence of a larger air-quality problem throughout your home. Thankfully, there’s several things you can try to correct the problem.
What Creates Condensation along Windows
Condensation on the interior of windows is formed by the humid warm air throughout your home hitting the cooler surface of the windows. It’s especially common around the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is inside your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When talking about condensation, it’s important to know 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 created from the warm moist air inside your home forming against the glass.
- The moisture you see between windowpanes is caused when the window seal fails and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, in which case the window has to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation in the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be solved by changing the humidity across your home. Different things produce humidity throughout a home, including showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue
Although you might consider condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also be indicating your home has high humidity. If this is in fact the case, water could also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Lower Humidity in 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 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 running and your home’s humidity level is excessive, look into purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers add moisture in your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.
Small, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from an entire room. However, these units require emptying out 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 controlled by a humidistat, which allows you to specify a humidity level just as you would choose a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will begin running immediately when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation St. Louis.
Alternative Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans near 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 raise the humidity level across your home.
- Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air swirling within the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one place.
- Opening your window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by preventing the damp air from being trapped 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.