The windows of your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to draw light in as you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window covered in a layer of condensation.
Not only are windows covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a more serious air-quality issue in your home. Fortunately, there’s several things you can attempt to correct the problem.
What Creates Condensation in Windows
Condensation on the inner layer of windows is created by the moist warm air inside your home reaching the colder surface of your windows. It’s notably commonplace over the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is within your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When dealing with condensation, it’s necessary to recognize the difference 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 on the inside of a window is created from the warm moist air inside your home collecting on the glass.
- Any moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal fails and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and by then the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be resolved by changing the humidity inside your home. Many things generate humidity throughout a home, such as showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be Trouble
Even though you might consider condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic issue, it can be indicating your home has high humidity. If this is in fact the case, water could 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 Inside Your Home
Thankfully there are several options for extracting moisture from the air in your home.
If you have a humidifier active inside your home – whether it be a small-scale unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home goes down.
If you don’t have a humidifier running and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, think about getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers add moisture in your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.
Small, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from an entire room. However, those units require clearing water trays and most often service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture throughout your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which permits you to set a humidity level just as you would pick a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will start immediately when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Haines City.
Alternative Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans near humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by pulling the warm, moist air from these areas out of your home before it can increase the humidity level across your home.
- Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air moving within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one area.
- Opening your window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.
By decreasing humidity inside your home and circulating air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.