The windows throughout your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to let light in when you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window coated in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a larger air-quality problem inside your home. Thankfully, there’s numerous things you can try to resolve the problem.

What Creates Sweating on Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is formed by the humid warm air throughout your home hitting the cooler surface of your windows. It’s especially commonplace in the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When discussing condensation, it’s crucial to recognize the difference between moisture on the inside of your windows versus 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 humid air inside your home condensing on the glass.
  • Any moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal breaks down and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and by then the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be resolved by adjusting the humidity in your home. Different things cause humidity in a home, like showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue

Even though you might think condensation in your windows is a cosmetic problem, it can be evidence your home has higher humidity. If that’s the case, water might also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Decrease Humidity Inside Your Home

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

If you have a humidifier operating 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 active and your home’s humidity level is high, think about getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from a single room. However, those units require emptying out water trays and usually service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture across your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which allows you to establish a humidity level the same like you would pick a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will begin running automatically 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 skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Cache Valley.

Alternative Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

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

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