The windows in your home open up to the outdoors, a way to draw light in when you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window coated in a layer of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unattractive, they also can be a symptom of a more serious air-quality problem inside your home. Thankfully, there’s multiple things you can try to correct the problem.

What Produces Condensation along Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is formed by the damp warm air throughout your home reaching the colder surface of your windows. It’s particularly common around the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with condensation, it’s crucial to understand the distinction 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 on the inside of a window is produced from the warm moist air in your home condensing on the glass.
  • Existing moisture you see between windowpanes is produced when the window seal fails 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 situation and can instead be solved by fine-tuning the humidity in your home. Numerous things cause humidity throughout a home, like showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Can Be a Problem

Even though you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also be indicating your home has higher humidity. If this is in fact the case, water might also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small 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 active within your home – whether it be a small-scale 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 higher than you prefer, look into installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture into your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which allows you to specify a humidity level just like you would select a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will run immediately when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation West Jefferson.

Alternative Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans in humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level across your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air swirling inside the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one place.
  • Opening your window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by stopping the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.

By reducing humidity across your home and circulating air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.