The windows throughout your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to let light in as you take in 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 covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a more serious air-quality problem within your home. Thankfully, there’s several things you can try to address the problem.
What Creates Condensation along Windows
Condensation on the inside of windows is formed by the damp warm air throughout your home mixing with the colder surface of the windows. It’s particularly commonplace in the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is in your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When talking about condensation, it’s crucial to know the distinction between moisture on the inside of your windows versus moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an indoor air quality issue and the other is a window issue.
- Moisture inside a window is produced from the warm moist air in your home condensing against the glass.
- Existing moisture you see between windowpanes is produced when the window seal fails and moisture gets in 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 situation and can instead be solved by fine-tuning the humidity inside your home. Many things generate 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 presume condensation in your windows is a cosmetic concern, it could also be evidence your home has excess humidity. If that’s the case, water might also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can help wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Decrease Humidity in Your Home
Not to worry, because there are numerous options for extracting moisture from the air inside your home.
If you have a humidifier operating 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 active and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, look into purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.
Small, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from an entire room. However, these units require emptying water trays and generally service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture from your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which enables you to set a humidity level just as you would pick a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will begin running automatically when the humidity level surpasses 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 Columbia.
Additional Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans around humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these areas out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level in your home.
- Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air swirling throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one spot.
- Opening up window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the damp air from being stuck against the windowpane.
By reducing humidity in your home and circulating air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.