The windows of your home open up to the outdoors, a way to draw light in as you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window coated in a layer of condensation.

Not only are windows covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a larger air-quality issue within your home. Luckily, there’s multiple things you can do to address the problem.

What Produces Sweating in Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is formed by the moist warm air inside your home mixing with the cold surface of the windows. It’s notably common around the winter when it’s much cooler 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 compared to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture inside a window is caused from the warm damp air in your home condensing along the glass.
  • The moisture you see between windowpanes is produced when the window seal fails and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and by then the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be resolved by changing the humidity inside your home. Many things cause humidity inside a home, like showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be a Problem

Even though you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic issue, it can be indicating your home has excess humidity. If this is the case, water might 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 Decrease Humidity Inside Your Home

Thankfully there are numerous options for extracting moisture from the air throughout your home.

If you have a humidifier active in 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 running and your home’s humidity level is high, think about installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture into your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.

Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from an entire room. However, portable units require clearing water trays and generally service a small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture throughout your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which enables you to establish a humidity level the same like you would select a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will start immediately when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Shamokin and Sunbury.

Alternative Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans around humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by extracting the warm, humid air from these areas out of your home before it can raise the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air flowing within the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one place.
  • Open window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the humid air from being caught against the windowpane.

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