The windows throughout your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to let light in while you take in the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window covered in a layer of condensation.
Not only are windows plastered with condensation unappealing, they also can be a symptom of a larger air-quality issue in your home. Thankfully, there’s several things you can try to resolve the problem.
What Produces Condensation along Windows
Condensation on the inner layer of windows is produced by the humid warm air throughout your home reaching the cold surface of the windows. It’s notably prevalent in the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is inside your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When talking about condensation, it’s crucial to understand the distinction 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 produced from the warm humid air inside your home condensing against the glass.
- Any moisture you see between windowpanes is produced when the window seal fails and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, in which case the window should be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation in the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be fixed by adjusting the humidity in your home. Different things produce humidity inside a home, including showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be Trouble
Even though you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic issue, it could also be indicating your home has higher humidity. If that’s the case, water may also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Reduce Humidity Throughout Your Home
The good news is there are various options for extracting moisture from the air inside 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 excessive, think about getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture into your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.
Small, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from a single room. However, these units require clearing 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 controlled by a humidistat, which enables you to specify a humidity level just as you would pick a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will start immediately when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Franklin Lakes.
Additional Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans in humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by pulling the warm, moist air from these areas out of your home before it can raise the humidity level across your home.
- Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air swirling inside the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one place.
- Opening up window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the warm air from being trapped against the windowpane.
By decreasing humidity in your home and circulating air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.