The windows in your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to allow light in while you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a layer of condensation.

Not only are windows covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a more substantial air-quality problem within your home. Luckily, there’s several things you can try to address the problem.

What Causes Condensation in Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is produced by the moist warm air inside your home mixing with the cold surface of your windows. It’s particularly prevalent during the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When talking about condensation, it’s necessary to know the contrast between moisture on the inside of your windows in comparison to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture within a window is produced from the warm damp air throughout your home collecting along the glass.
  • The moisture you see between windowpanes is caused when the window seal fails and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be solved by adjusting the humidity in your home. Many things generate humidity inside a home, such as showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Can Be an Issue

Although you might think condensation in your windows is a cosmetic problem, it may also be a sign your home has higher humidity. If this is the case, water may also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Lower Humidity Inside Your Home

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

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

If you don’t have a humidifier going and your home’s humidity level is high, think about purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture in your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which allows you to specify a humidity level just like you would choose a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will start instantly when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Rockford.

Additional Ways to Decrease 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 throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air flowing within the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one area.
  • Open window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.

By lowering humidity across your home and circulating air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.