The windows of your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to let light in when you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window covered in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows covered in condensation unattractive, they also can be a symptom of a more substantial air-quality issue throughout your home. Luckily, there’s numerous things you can try to resolve the problem.

What Produces Condensation on Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is created by the humid warm air in your home hitting the cooler surface of your windows. It’s notably commonplace 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 recognize the distinction 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 caused from the warm damp air inside your home collecting on the glass.
  • Existing moisture you notice between windowpanes is caused 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 on the inside of the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be resolved by changing the humidity inside your home. Many things generate humidity throughout a home, like showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Indoor Sweating on Windows Could Mean Trouble

Even though you might presume condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also be evidence your home has higher humidity. If this is in fact the case, water might also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can help wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity Throughout Your Home

Thankfully there are several options for eliminating moisture from the air in your home.

If you have a humidifier active 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 going and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, look into purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds 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 absorb the water from a single room. However, portable units require clearing water trays and most often service a somewhat limited 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 establish a humidity level the same like you would choose a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will begin running automatically when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Port Orchard.

Alternative Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans near humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these spaces out of your home before it can raise the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air circulating within the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one area.
  • Opening up window treatments. Opening 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 circulating air throughout your home, you can make the most of clear, moisture-free windows even in the middle of the winter.