The windows throughout your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to allow light in while you take in 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 coated in condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a larger air-quality issue in your home. Luckily, there’s several things you can try to address the problem.
What Creates Condensation on Windows
Condensation on the inner layer of windows is produced by the humid warm air throughout your home mixing with the cooler surface of the windows. It’s particularly prevalent over 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 important to recognize the distinction between moisture on the inside of your windows compared to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an indoor air quality issue and the other is a window issue.
- Moisture on the inside of a window is created from the warm moist air in your home condensing along the glass.
- Existing 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 has to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be resolved by adjusting the humidity inside your home. Different things generate humidity in a home, such as showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be a Problem
Although you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it could also be evidence your home has high humidity. If that’s the case, water may also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Reduce Humidity Inside Your Home
The good news is there are various options for eliminating moisture from the air in your home.
If you have a humidifier operating in 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 active and your home’s humidity level is high, consider installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduce moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.
Small, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from one room. However, portable units require clearing water trays and usually service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture from your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which permits you to establish a humidity level precisely as you would choose a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will start instantly when the humidity level exceeds 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 Des Moines.
Alternative Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans around humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by pulling the warm, humid air from these rooms out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level throughout your home.
- Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air circulating inside the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one place.
- Opening your window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.
By lowering humidity inside your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the middle of the winter.