The windows in your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to let light in while you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window coated in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unsightly, they also can be evidence of a more substantial air-quality deficit inside your home. Fortunately, there’s numerous things you can try to correct the problem.

What Causes Sweating along Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is formed by the moist warm air throughout your home hitting the colder surface of your windows. It’s particularly commonplace around the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When discussing condensation, it’s important to know 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 produced from the warm damp air inside your home collecting against the glass.
  • Existing moisture you notice between windowpanes is caused when the window seal fails and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and by then the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be solved by adjusting the humidity across your home. Different things generate humidity inside a home, such as showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Could Mean Trouble

Even though you might consider condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic problem, it may also be evidence your home has high humidity. If this is in fact the case, water may also be accumulating 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 Lower Humidity Throughout Your Home

Not to worry, because there are various options for removing moisture from the air throughout your home.

If you have a humidifier active within 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 active and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, consider installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.

Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from one room. However, those units require clearing water trays and most often service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture from your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which permits you to establish a humidity level the same like you would pick a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will begin running immediately when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Plover.

Other Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans around humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by drawing the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can increase the humidity level inside your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air circulating within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one place.
  • Opening your window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by stopping the warm air from being trapped against the windowpane.

By decreasing humidity across your home and moving air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.