The windows of your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to draw light in as you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window covered in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unsightly, they also can be a symptom of a larger air-quality deficit inside your home. Luckily, there’s several things you can do to address the problem.

What Causes Condensation on Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is produced by the humid warm air in your home mixing with the cold surface of the windows. It’s notably prevalent over the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

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

  • Moisture inside a window is caused from the warm humid air throughout your home condensing on the glass.
  • Any moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal stops working 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 problem and can instead be fixed by changing the humidity across your home. Many things produce humidity throughout a home, including showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Could Mean a Problem

Although you might consider condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic issue, it can be a sign your home has excess humidity. If this is the case, water might also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Lower Humidity Inside Your Home

The good news is there are several options for removing moisture from the air throughout 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 decreases.

If you don’t have a humidifier running and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, think about purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.

Small, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from one room. However, these units require clearing water trays and usually service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture from your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which allows you to establish a humidity level the same like you would select a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will start instantly when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Alliance.

Other Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans near humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by drawing the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level across your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air moving within the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one spot.
  • Opening your window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by stopping the damp air from being trapped against the windowpane.

By reducing humidity inside your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even in the middle of the winter.