The windows throughout your home open up to the outdoors, a way to let light in as you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window covered in a layer of condensation.

Not only are windows covered in condensation unsightly, they also can be a symptom of a more serious air-quality issue in your home. Fortunately, there’s numerous things you can attempt to correct the problem.

What Produces Condensation along Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is produced by the humid warm air in your home mixing with the cooler surface of the windows. It’s especially prevalent during the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When talking about condensation, it’s important to know the contrast 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 on the inside of a window is caused from the warm moist air inside your home forming on the glass.
  • The moisture you find between windowpanes is formed when the window seal fails and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and by then the window has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be solved by changing the humidity across your home. Many things generate humidity inside a home, like showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Can Be a Problem

Although you might think condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also be evidence your home has excess humidity. If this is in fact the case, water may also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Decrease Humidity Throughout Your Home

Not to worry, because there are several options for eliminating moisture from the air inside your home.

If you have a humidifier running within 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 high, look into getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture in your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.

Compact, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from an entire room. However, portable units require emptying out water trays and usually service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture throughout your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which allows you to set a humidity level precisely like you would choose a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will begin running immediately when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Erie.

Other Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans near humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these spaces out of your home before it can increase the humidity level across your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air swirling inside the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one place.
  • Opening your window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by stopping the warm air from being trapped against the windowpane.

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