The windows of your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to let light in when you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a film of condensation.

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

What Creates Sweating in Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is formed by the moist warm air in your home hitting the cold surface of your windows. It’s notably common around the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with condensation, it’s necessary to recognize the difference between moisture on the inside of your windows in comparison to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture within a window is caused from the warm damp air throughout your home forming against the glass.
  • Any moisture you notice between windowpanes is produced when the window seal stops working and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and by then the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be resolved by adjusting the humidity in your home. Numerous things generate humidity throughout a home, including showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Can Be Trouble

Even though you might presume condensation in your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also be indicating your home has excess humidity. If that’s the case, water may also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity in Your Home

Fortunately there are various options for removing moisture from the air inside your home.

If you have a humidifier active inside 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 excessive, think about getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

Small, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from an entire room. However, those units require clearing 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 controlled by a humidistat, which allows you to specify a humidity level the same like you would choose a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will run immediately 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 Norco and surrounding parishes.

Additional Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans near humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by drawing the warm, moist air from these spaces out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air circulating throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one area.
  • Opening your window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.

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