The windows in your home open up to the outdoors, a way to draw light in while you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a film of condensation.

Not only are windows coated in condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a larger air-quality deficit within your home. Fortunately, there’s several things you can attempt to resolve the problem.

What Causes Sweating on Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is produced by the moist warm air in your home hitting the colder surface of your windows. It’s particularly prevalent around 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 know the difference 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 within a window is caused from the warm damp air inside your home condensing along the glass.
  • The moisture you find between windowpanes is caused 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 solved by adjusting the humidity across your home. Many things produce humidity inside a home, such as showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Can Be a Problem

Even though you might consider condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic problem, it may also be evidence your home has high humidity. If this is the case, water could also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Lower Humidity in Your Home

The good news is there are numerous options for extracting moisture from the air inside 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 high, think about purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture into your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.

Small, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from an entire room. However, those units require emptying water trays and usually service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture across your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which allows you to set a humidity level the same like you would select a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will run automatically 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 skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Circleville.

Alternative Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans near humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these areas out of your home before it can increase the humidity level in your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air circulating within the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one area.
  • Open window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.

By reducing humidity inside your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.