The windows of your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to allow light in when you take in the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. 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 a sign of a larger air-quality problem inside your home. Thankfully, there’s several things you can do to correct the problem.
What Creates Condensation along Windows
Condensation on the inside of windows is created by the damp warm air inside your home mixing with the colder surface of your windows. It’s notably commonplace around the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is within your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When talking about condensation, it’s crucial to understand the contrast between moisture on the inside of your windows versus moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an indoor air quality issue and the other is a window issue.
- Moisture on the inside of a window is created from the warm humid air throughout your home collecting against the glass.
- Existing moisture you see between windowpanes is caused when the window seal stops working and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, in which case the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be resolved by adjusting the humidity across your home. Different things cause humidity in a home, such as showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue
Although you might consider condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic concern, it could also be a sign your home has higher humidity. If this is the case, water could also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Decrease Humidity Inside Your Home
The good news is there are various options for removing moisture from the air inside your home.
If you have a humidifier running inside your home – whether it be a smaller unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home decreases.
If you don’t have a humidifier going and your home’s humidity level is high, consider installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduce moisture in your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.
Small, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from an entire room. However, portable units require clearing water trays and usually service a small 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 set a humidity level the same as you would choose a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will begin running automatically when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Arlington.
Additional Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans in humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these areas out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level throughout your home.
- Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air swirling inside the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one spot.
- Open window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by stopping the damp air from being caught against the windowpane.
By reducing humidity across your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.