The windows of your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to draw light in when you take in the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window plastered in a coating of condensation.
Not only are windows covered in condensation unsightly, they also can be evidence of a more substantial air-quality problem inside your home. Fortunately, there’s several things you can attempt to correct the problem.
What Creates Condensation in Windows
Condensation on the interior of windows is created by the humid warm air throughout your home hitting the cold surface of the windows. It’s notably common around 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 necessary to understand the contrast 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 on the inside of a window is created from the warm humid air in your home condensing on the glass.
- Existing moisture you see between windowpanes is produced when the window seal stops working and moisture seeps 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 problem and can instead be fixed by changing the humidity inside your home. Many things cause humidity throughout a home, like showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue
Though you might consider condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also be evidence your home has higher humidity. If this is in fact the case, water might also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Decrease Humidity Throughout Your Home
Thankfully there are numerous options for eliminating moisture from the air throughout your home.
If you have a humidifier operating 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 active and your home’s humidity level is excessive, think about installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture in your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.
Compact, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from an entire room. However, portable units require emptying water trays and usually service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture throughout your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which permits you to set a humidity level precisely as you would select a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will run automatically when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Laurel.
Alternative Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans in humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by extracting the warm, humid air from these areas out of your home before it can increase the humidity level inside your home.
- Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air circulating throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one spot.
- Open window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by preventing the humid air from being caught against the windowpane.
By lowering humidity inside your home and circulating air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.