The windows in your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to let light in while you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window covered in a layer of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unappealing, they also can be a symptom of a more serious air-quality problem within your home. Fortunately, there’s several things you can attempt to resolve the problem.

What Causes Condensation along Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is created by the damp warm air inside your home reaching the colder surface of your windows. It’s notably prevalent during the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When talking about condensation, it’s necessary to understand the contrast 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 caused from the warm damp air in your home condensing on the glass.
  • Any moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal breaks down and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be solved by adjusting the humidity in your home. Many things cause humidity inside a home, such as showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Could Mean Trouble

Though you might consider condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic problem, it may also be evidence your home has higher humidity. If this is in fact the case, water might also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim 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

Not to worry, because there are various options for eliminating moisture from the air inside your home.

If you have a humidifier running inside 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 going and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, consider purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture into your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from one room. However, these units require emptying out water trays and usually 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 permits you to establish a humidity level precisely like you would select a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will run 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 Monroe.

Additional Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans around humidity hotspots such as 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 elevate the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air circulating within the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one place.
  • Open window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the damp air from being caught against the windowpane.

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