The windows in your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to allow light in when you take in the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window covered in a coating of condensation.
Not only are windows plastered with condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a more substantial air-quality problem in your home. Luckily, there’s numerous things you can do to correct the problem.
What Causes Condensation in Windows
Condensation on the inside of windows is formed by the humid warm air throughout your home mixing with the cold surface of the windows. It’s particularly prevalent during 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 necessary to understand the distinction between moisture on the inside of your windows versus moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an indoor air quality issue and the other is a window issue.
- Moisture within a window is caused from the warm damp air in your home collecting on the glass.
- Any moisture you see between windowpanes is formed when the window seal fails and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, in which case the window has to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation in the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be fixed by adjusting the humidity inside your home. Many things generate humidity in a home, such as showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue
Although you might presume condensation in your windows is a cosmetic problem, it may also be evidence your home has higher humidity. If that’s the case, water could also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can help wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Decrease Humidity in Your Home
The good news is there are several options for eliminating moisture from the air inside your home.
If you have a humidifier operating in 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 excessive, look into getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture in your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.
Compact, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from an entire room. However, portable units require emptying out water trays and generally service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture throughout your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which enables you to establish a humidity level the same as you would select a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will run automatically when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Lafayette.
Alternative Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans around humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by pulling the warm, moist air from these spaces out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level inside your home.
- Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air swirling inside the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one spot.
- Opening your window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the warm air from being stuck against the windowpane.
By decreasing humidity in your home and moving air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.
