The windows in your home open up to the outdoors, a way to draw 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 coated in a layer of condensation.
Not only are windows covered in condensation unsightly, they also can be evidence of a larger air-quality issue throughout your home. Thankfully, there’s several things you can try to resolve the problem.
What Causes Condensation in Windows
Condensation on the inside of windows is formed by the humid warm air in your home reaching the cooler surface of your windows. It’s especially prevalent around the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is within your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When dealing with condensation, it’s necessary 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 on the inside of a window is produced from the warm moist air throughout your home forming on the glass.
- Existing moisture you see between windowpanes is produced when the window seal breaks down and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window has to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be fixed by fine-tuning the humidity across your home. Different things produce humidity inside a home, such as showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be a Problem
Even though you might consider condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic issue, it could also be evidence your home has excess humidity. If this is the case, water might also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Decrease Humidity in Your Home
Fortunately there are several options for extracting moisture from the air in 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 decreases.
If you don’t have a humidifier running and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, consider installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture into your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.
Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from one room. However, those units require clearing water trays and most often service a small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture throughout your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which permits you to establish a humidity level just like you would pick a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will start immediately when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Sacramento.
Alternative Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans in humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven 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. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air flowing inside the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one area.
- Open window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by preventing the warm air from being stuck against the windowpane.
By decreasing humidity across your home and moving air throughout your home, you can make the most of clear, moisture-free windows even in the middle of the winter.