The windows of your home open up to the outdoors, a way to allow light in as you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window plastered in a film of condensation.

Not only are windows covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a more serious air-quality deficit throughout your home. Fortunately, there’s several things you can attempt to resolve the problem.

What Produces Sweating in Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is created by the humid warm air throughout your home mixing with the colder surface of the windows. It’s notably prevalent during the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is in your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

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

  • Moisture inside a window is caused from the warm moist air in your home condensing along the glass.
  • Existing moisture you find between windowpanes is formed when the window seal fails and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and by then the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be resolved by changing the humidity inside your home. Numerous things produce humidity in a home, like showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be Trouble

Though you might presume condensation in your windows is a cosmetic concern, it could also be indicating your home has excess humidity. If this is in fact 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 Reduce Humidity Inside Your Home

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

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

If you don’t have a humidifier active and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, consider installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

Compact, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from a single room. However, these units require emptying out water trays and generally service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture across your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which allows you to establish a humidity level precisely like you would select a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will start instantly when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Arlington.

Additional Ways to Lower 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 drawing the warm, moist air from these spaces out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level in your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air circulating within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one place.
  • Opening up window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.

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