The windows of your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to draw light in while you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you need 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 issue inside your home. Fortunately, there’s numerous things you can do to correct the problem.

What Causes Sweating on Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is formed by the humid warm air throughout your home hitting the cold surface of your windows. It’s particularly common in the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

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

  • Moisture inside a window is caused from the warm damp air in your home forming along the glass.
  • Existing moisture you notice between windowpanes is formed when the window seal breaks down and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be fixed by changing the humidity across your home. Many things produce humidity inside a home, such as showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be a Problem

Though you might consider condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic problem, it can be indicating your home has high humidity. If this is in fact the case, water may also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can encourage 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 various options for extracting moisture from the air throughout your home.

If you have a humidifier running inside your home – whether it be a small-scale 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 excessive, look into 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.

Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from a single room. However, those units require emptying water trays and generally service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture from your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which permits you to establish a humidity level just like you would select a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will run immediately when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Seymour.

Alternative Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans in humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by extracting the warm, humid air from these rooms out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level inside your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air swirling throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one place.
  • Opening your window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the warm air from being stuck against the windowpane.

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