The windows throughout your home open up to the outdoors, a way to draw light in when you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window covered in a layer of condensation.

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

What Causes Condensation in Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is created by the moist warm air in your home mixing with the cooler surface of your windows. It’s especially commonplace during 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 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 damp air throughout your home condensing on the glass.
  • Any moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal stops working and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, in which case the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be resolved by fine-tuning the humidity in your home. Different things produce humidity in a home, such as showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Could Mean Trouble

Even though you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic issue, it may also be indicating your home has high humidity. If this is the case, water may also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Decrease Humidity Throughout Your Home

Fortunately there are several options for removing moisture from the air in your home.

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

If you don’t have a humidifier active and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, think about installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture in your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.

Small, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from one room. However, those units require emptying water trays and most often service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture throughout your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which permits you to set a humidity level precisely like you would select a temperature via 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 skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Tucker.

Additional Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans near humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these spaces out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level inside your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air swirling within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one place.
  • Opening up window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the humid air from being caught against the windowpane.

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