The windows throughout your home open up to the outdoors, a way to let light in as you take in the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window coated in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unsightly, they also can be evidence of a larger air-quality problem inside your home. Thankfully, there’s numerous things you can try to correct the problem.

What Creates Sweating in Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is created by the damp warm air throughout your home mixing with the cooler surface of the windows. It’s especially commonplace in the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When discussing condensation, it’s necessary to understand the distinction between moisture on the inside of your windows compared to 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 humid air in your home condensing on the glass.
  • Any moisture you see between windowpanes is produced when the window seal stops working and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and by then the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be fixed by adjusting the humidity across your home. Different things cause humidity in a home, such as showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Could Mean Trouble

Although you might think condensation in your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also be a sign 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 small film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity Inside Your Home

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

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

If you don’t have a humidifier running and your home’s humidity level is high, look into installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from a single room. However, those units require emptying water trays and generally service a small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture throughout your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which permits you to establish a humidity level just like you would choose a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will begin running immediately when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Cache Valley.

Other Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans near humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these spaces out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level inside your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air moving within the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one place.
  • Opening your window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the humid air from being caught against the windowpane.

By lowering humidity across your home and moving air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.