The windows of your home open up 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 unsightly, they also can be evidence of a more substantial air-quality deficit in your home. Fortunately, there’s numerous things you can do to address the problem.

What Creates Sweating along Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is produced by the humid warm air inside your home mixing with the cooler surface of your windows. It’s especially prevalent around the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When talking about condensation, it’s important 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 inside a window is created from the warm humid air inside your home collecting on the glass.
  • Existing moisture you find between windowpanes is formed when the window seal stops working and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be fixed by fine-tuning the humidity across your home. Different things produce humidity throughout a home, like showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue

Although you might consider condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic problem, it can 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, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Decrease Humidity Inside Your Home

Not to worry, because 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 small 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, consider installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.

Small, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from an entire room. However, these units require emptying out water trays and usually service a small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture from your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which enables you to specify a humidity level the same like you would select a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will begin running instantly when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Auburn and Opelika.

Alternative Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans around humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by pulling the warm, humid air from these rooms out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level in your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air swirling within the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one area.
  • Opening your window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by preventing the warm air from being stuck against the windowpane.

By reducing humidity in your home and moving air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the middle of the winter.