The windows throughout 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 need to see is a sweaty window plastered in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unattractive, they also can be evidence of a more serious air-quality issue throughout your home. Fortunately, there’s numerous things you can attempt to resolve the problem.

What Causes Condensation on Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is produced by the damp warm air in your home reaching the colder surface of your windows. It’s notably prevalent over 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 crucial to understand the contrast between moisture on the inside of your windows compared to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture on the inside of a window is created from the warm moist air throughout your home condensing on the glass.
  • The moisture you notice between windowpanes is caused when the window seal stops working and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be resolved by changing the humidity across your home. Many things produce humidity inside a home, like showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Indoor Sweating on Windows Can Be Trouble

Although you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also be indicating your home has excess humidity. If this is in fact the case, water could also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity Throughout Your Home

Thankfully there are several options for eliminating moisture from the air throughout your home.

If you have a humidifier operating within 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 active and your home’s humidity level is excessive, think about purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture into your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.

Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from an entire room. However, those units require emptying out water trays and generally service a small 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 set a humidity level precisely like you would select a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will begin running instantly when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Kankakee.

Other Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows

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

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