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

Not only are windows coated in condensation unattractive, they also can be a symptom of a more serious air-quality issue within your home. Luckily, there’s several things you can do to resolve the problem.

What Creates Sweating on Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is created by the moist warm air inside your home reaching the cold surface of your windows. It’s notably commonplace in the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is in your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When talking about 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 air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture on the inside of a window is produced from the warm humid air in your home forming against the glass.
  • Any moisture you notice between windowpanes is caused 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 on the inside of the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be resolved by changing the humidity in your home. Different things produce humidity throughout a home, including showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue

Though you might think condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic issue, it can be indicating your home has excess humidity. If this is the case, water may also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small film of water can help wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Decrease Humidity in Your Home

Thankfully there are various options for eliminating moisture from the air inside your home.

If you have a humidifier active in your home – whether it be a smaller 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, consider purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.

Compact, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from an entire room. However, these units require emptying water trays and generally service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture across your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which permits you to establish a humidity level just like you would choose a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will run automatically when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Fredericksburg.

Alternative Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans in humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by pulling the warm, humid air from these spaces out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level in your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air circulating within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one spot.
  • Opening up window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the damp air from being caught against the windowpane.

By decreasing humidity inside your home and moving air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even in the middle of the winter.