The windows in your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to let light in when 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 covered in condensation unattractive, they also can be evidence of a more substantial air-quality deficit inside your home. Thankfully, there’s several things you can attempt to address the problem.
What Produces Condensation on Windows
Condensation on the inside of windows is produced by the moist warm air in your home reaching the cooler surface of the windows. It’s notably commonplace over the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is in your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When discussing condensation, it’s crucial to know the contrast 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 inside a window is created from the warm damp air inside your home forming along the glass.
- Any moisture you find between windowpanes is formed when the window seal stops working and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation in the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be fixed by changing the humidity across your home. Many things generate humidity throughout a home, such as showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be Trouble
Although you might think condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it could also be a sign your home has high humidity. If this is in fact the case, water could also be collecting 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 Throughout Your Home
The good news is there are various options for removing moisture from the air inside your home.
If you have a humidifier operating inside your home – whether it be a smaller 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, look into getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduce moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.
Small, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from one room. However, those units require emptying out water trays and most often service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture from your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which enables you to set a humidity level just as you would select a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will start automatically when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Lodi.
Other Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans in humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by pulling the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can raise the humidity level across your home.
- Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air moving 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 humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.
By reducing humidity across your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.