The windows throughout your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to draw light in as you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window plastered in a layer of condensation.
Not only are windows covered in condensation unattractive, they also can be evidence of a more serious air-quality issue within your home. Thankfully, there’s multiple things you can do to resolve the problem.
What Produces Condensation in Windows
Condensation on the inner layer of windows is formed by the humid warm air inside your home mixing with the colder surface of your windows. It’s especially commonplace around the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is within your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When talking about condensation, it’s important to know the difference 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 created from the warm damp air inside your home collecting against 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 by then the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be solved by changing the humidity in your home. Numerous things produce humidity in a home, such as showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be Trouble
Even though you might think condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic concern, it can be evidence your home has higher humidity. If that’s the case, water might 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 Lower Humidity in Your Home
The good news is there are several options for extracting moisture from the air inside your home.
If you have a humidifier running within 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 active and your home’s humidity level is high, consider purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduce 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 absorb 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 eliminate moisture from your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which allows you to establish a humidity level precisely as you would choose a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will begin running immediately when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Wisconsin Rapids.
Alternative Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Adding 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 rooms out of your home before it can increase the humidity level inside your home.
- Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air circulating throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one area.
- Open window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the warm air from being caught 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 middle of the winter.