The windows in your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to allow light in when you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a coating of condensation.

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

What Creates Sweating on Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is created by the moist warm air throughout your home reaching the cooler surface of your windows. It’s notably prevalent in 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 difference 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 within a window is produced from the warm damp air throughout your home collecting along the glass.
  • Existing moisture you see between windowpanes is produced when the window seal stops working and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and by then the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be fixed by adjusting the humidity across your home. Numerous things cause humidity throughout a home, like showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Indoor Sweating on Windows Could Mean Trouble

Although you might consider condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic concern, it could also be evidence your home has excess humidity. If this is in fact the case, water may also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Lower Humidity Inside Your Home

The good news is there are numerous options for extracting 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 goes down.

If you don’t have a humidifier going and your home’s humidity level is high, consider getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.

Small, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from one room. However, these units require clearing water trays and most often service a small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture from your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which enables you to set a humidity level the same like you would pick a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will start instantly when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Moline.

Alternative Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans near humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these spaces out of your home before it can raise the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air swirling within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one spot.
  • Open window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by stopping the warm air from being stuck against the windowpane.

By lowering humidity inside your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.