The windows in your home are a gateway 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 need to see is a sweaty window coated in a film of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unattractive, they also can be a sign of a more serious air-quality issue in your home. Thankfully, there’s multiple things you can try to address the problem.

What Creates Condensation on Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is formed by the humid warm air inside your home mixing with the cooler surface of the windows. It’s particularly prevalent over the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with condensation, it’s crucial to recognize the difference between moisture on the inside of your windows in comparison 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 moist air inside your home forming against the glass.
  • Any moisture you notice between windowpanes is caused when the window seal fails and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be resolved by changing the humidity inside your home. Numerous things generate humidity in a home, including showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Indoor Sweating on Windows Can Be an Issue

Even though you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic issue, it can be indicating your home has excess humidity. If this is in fact the case, water could 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 Lower Humidity Throughout Your Home

Fortunately there are numerous options for extracting moisture from the air in your home.

If you have a humidifier operating inside your home – whether it be a small-scale 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 higher than you prefer, look into getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture in your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which allows you to set a humidity level the same like you would pick a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will begin running automatically when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Arlington.

Other Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans near humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by drawing the warm, moist air from these spaces out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air circulating throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one place.
  • Opening your window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the warm air from being trapped against the windowpane.

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