The windows of your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to draw light in as you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window covered in a layer of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unsightly, they also can be a symptom of a more serious air-quality problem throughout your home. Luckily, there’s multiple things you can try to resolve the problem.

What Causes Sweating in Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is produced by the moist warm air throughout your home mixing with the colder surface of your windows. It’s especially prevalent over the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with condensation, it’s important to know the difference 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 within a window is created from the warm damp air inside your home forming on the glass.
  • Existing moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal breaks down and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be resolved by changing the humidity in your home. Many things produce humidity throughout a home, including showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Indoor Sweating on Windows Can Be an Issue

Though you might think condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic problem, it could also be evidence your home has high humidity. If this is the case, water could also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small film of water can help wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Decrease Humidity Inside Your Home

Fortunately there are numerous options for removing moisture from the air throughout your home.

If you have a humidifier running inside your home – whether it be a small unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home comes down.

If you don’t have a humidifier going and your home’s humidity level is excessive, look into getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from an entire room. However, portable units require emptying water trays and most often service a small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture across your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which allows you to set a humidity level precisely like you would pick a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will start immediately when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Sacramento.

Alternative Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans around humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can raise the humidity level inside your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air flowing within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one place.
  • Open window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by stopping the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.

By decreasing humidity in 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.