The windows of your home open up to the outdoors, a way to allow light in as you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you need 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 serious air-quality problem in your home. Luckily, there’s several things you can attempt to resolve the problem.
What Causes Condensation in Windows
Condensation on the inside of windows is created by the damp warm air inside your home mixing with the cooler 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 crucial to know the distinction 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 within a window is produced from the warm moist air in your home forming against the glass.
- Existing moisture you notice between windowpanes is formed when the window seal breaks down and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be solved by adjusting the humidity inside your home. Different things produce humidity throughout a home, including showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.
Why Sweating Windows Can Be Trouble
Although you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic problem, it can be indicating your home has excess humidity. If this is in fact the case, water could also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Decrease Humidity Inside Your Home
Thankfully there are numerous options for extracting moisture from the air in your home.
If you have a humidifier active 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 running and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, look into installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture into your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.
Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from an entire room. However, these units require clearing water trays and usually service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture across your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which enables you to set a humidity level precisely like you would choose a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will run immediately when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Columbus.
Additional Ways to Lower 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 spaces out of your home before it can increase the humidity level in your home.
- Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air circulating throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one place.
- Open window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the humid air from being caught against the windowpane.
By decreasing humidity in your home and moving air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.