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

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

What Produces Condensation in Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is created by the moist warm air in your home mixing with the cold surface of the windows. It’s notably prevalent during the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When discussing 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 indoor air quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture within a window is produced from the warm damp air throughout your home forming along the glass.
  • The moisture you see between windowpanes is formed when the window seal breaks down and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and by then the window has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be fixed by changing the humidity across your home. Many things cause humidity throughout a home, including showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Could Mean a Problem

Even though you might think condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic issue, it may also be indicating your home has excess humidity. If this is in fact the case, water might 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, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Decrease Humidity in Your Home

The good news is there are numerous options for extracting moisture from the air in your home.

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

If you don’t have a humidifier active and your home’s humidity level is high, look into getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture into your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which allows you to specify a humidity level the same like you would choose a temperature with 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 want to contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Kankakee.

Additional Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows

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

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