The windows of your home open up 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 need to see is a sweaty window plastered in a film of condensation.

Not only are windows coated in condensation unsightly, they also can be a symptom of a more substantial air-quality problem within your home. Luckily, there’s numerous things you can attempt to address the problem.

What Produces Sweating on Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is created by the damp warm air inside your home reaching the cold surface of the windows. It’s especially commonplace over the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with condensation, it’s important to understand the contrast between moisture on the inside of your windows in comparison to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an indoor air quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture on the inside of a window is caused from the warm damp air throughout your home condensing on the glass.
  • Existing moisture you notice between windowpanes is caused when the window seal breaks down 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 solved by fine-tuning the humidity inside your home. Numerous things generate humidity inside a home, such as showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Could Mean a Problem

Even though you might consider condensation in your windows is a cosmetic issue, it may also be a sign your home has high humidity. If this is the case, water could also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Decrease Humidity in Your Home

Fortunately there are numerous options for eliminating moisture from the air throughout your home.

If you have a humidifier active inside your home – whether it be a smaller 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 excessive, think about getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture in your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

Small, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from a single room. However, these units require emptying water trays and most often service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture across your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which enables you to set a humidity level just like you would pick a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will run immediately when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Thousand Palms.

Other Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans around humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by drawing the warm, moist air from these spaces out of your home before it can raise 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 trapped in one area.
  • Open window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the damp air from being stuck against the windowpane.

By lowering humidity inside your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.