The windows throughout your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to allow light in while you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window coated in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows coated in condensation unsightly, they also can be evidence of a more serious air-quality deficit throughout your home. Luckily, there’s numerous things you can attempt to address the problem.

What Creates Condensation on Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is produced by the damp warm air inside your home reaching the cooler surface of your windows. It’s notably prevalent in 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 understand 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 within a window is created from the warm damp air in your home collecting on the glass.
  • Existing moisture you see between windowpanes is caused when the window seal fails and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, in which case the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be resolved by adjusting the humidity across your home. Numerous things cause humidity inside a home, including showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Indoor Sweating on Windows Could Mean a Problem

Even though you might think condensation in your windows is a cosmetic issue, it may also be evidence your home has excess 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, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Lower Humidity Throughout Your Home

Thankfully there are numerous options for eliminating moisture from the air throughout your home.

If you have a humidifier operating 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 higher than you prefer, think about getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture into your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.

Small, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from an entire room. However, these units require emptying water trays and usually service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture from your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which permits you to specify a humidity level the same like you would choose a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will start immediately when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Lansing.

Alternative Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans in humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by drawing the warm, humid air from these rooms out of your home before it can raise the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air swirling throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one place.
  • Open window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the damp air from being trapped against the windowpane.

By lowering humidity inside your home and moving air throughout your home, you can make the most of clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.