The windows of your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to draw light in while you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window covered in a layer of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unsightly, they also can be evidence of a larger air-quality problem within your home. Thankfully, there’s multiple things you can attempt to correct the problem.

What Causes Sweating along Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is created by the humid warm air throughout your home hitting the cold surface of the windows. It’s notably prevalent during 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 important to understand the distinction between moisture on the inside of your windows versus moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture on the inside of a window is caused from the warm damp air in your home forming on the glass.
  • Existing moisture you notice between windowpanes is formed when the window seal fails and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, in which case the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be fixed by changing the humidity across your home. Numerous things cause humidity throughout a home, such as showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be Trouble

Even though you might think condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic problem, it may also be evidence your home has high humidity. If this is in fact the case, water may 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, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity in Your Home

Fortunately there are various options for eliminating moisture from the air inside your home.

If you have a humidifier active within your home – whether it be a small-scale unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home decreases.

If you don’t have a humidifier active and your home’s humidity level is excessive, think about getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture into 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 one room. However, portable units require clearing water trays and most often service a small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture from your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which permits you to specify a humidity level the same like you would select a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will start instantly when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Auburn and Opelika.

Alternative Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans in humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by extracting the warm, humid air from these rooms out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level inside your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air circulating within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one area.
  • Opening up window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the warm air from being trapped against the windowpane.

By lowering humidity in your home and circulating air throughout your home, you can make the most of clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.