The windows throughout your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to draw light in when you take in the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a layer of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unattractive, they also can be evidence of a more serious air-quality issue within your home. Fortunately, there’s several things you can attempt to resolve the problem.

What Creates Condensation along Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is produced by the damp warm air throughout your home reaching the cold surface of your windows. It’s especially common in 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 know the difference between moisture on the inside of your windows in comparison 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 produced from the warm moist air in your home collecting against the glass.
  • The moisture you find between windowpanes is formed when the window seal breaks down and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and by then the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be resolved by changing the humidity across your home. Many things cause humidity inside a home, including showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue

Though you might presume condensation in your windows is a cosmetic concern, it could also be evidence your home has excess humidity. If that’s the case, water might also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity Inside Your Home

Fortunately there are numerous options for extracting 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 goes down.

If you don’t have a humidifier running and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, look into purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture into your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.

Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from a single room. However, these units require clearing water trays and usually 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 allows you to establish a humidity level precisely like you would choose a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will start immediately 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 qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation .

Additional Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans around humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by drawing the warm, humid air from these areas out of your home before it can increase the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air swirling within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one place.
  • Opening up window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the humid air from being stuck against the windowpane.

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