The windows of your home open up to the outdoors, a way to allow light in when you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a layer of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unappealing, they also can be a symptom of a more serious air-quality deficit within your home. Fortunately, there’s multiple things you can do to address the problem.

What Creates Condensation along Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is formed by the humid warm air inside your home reaching the cooler surface of your windows. It’s especially commonplace during the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When discussing condensation, it’s necessary to understand the contrast 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 notice between windowpanes is formed when the window seal fails and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be solved by changing the humidity in your home. Many things cause humidity inside a home, like showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Can Be an Issue

Though you might presume condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic problem, it can be evidence your home has higher humidity. If this is the case, water might also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Lower Humidity Throughout Your Home

Thankfully there are several options for eliminating moisture from the air throughout your home.

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

If you don’t have a humidifier going and your home’s humidity level is excessive, consider installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture in your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which allows you to specify a humidity level precisely like you would choose a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will begin running instantly when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Front Royal.

Alternative Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans around humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these spaces out of your home before it can increase the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air swirling within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one spot.
  • Open window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by stopping the warm air from being stuck against the windowpane.

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