The windows of your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to draw light in as you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window covered in a film of condensation.

Not only are windows coated in condensation unappealing, they also can be a symptom of a more substantial air-quality problem in your home. Luckily, there’s multiple things you can do to correct the problem.

What Causes Condensation on Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is created by the damp warm air in your home hitting the colder surface of the windows. It’s particularly common during the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with condensation, it’s necessary to recognize 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 see between windowpanes is caused when the window seal breaks down and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, in which case the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be resolved by adjusting the humidity across your home. Many things generate humidity throughout a home, such as showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Indoor Sweating on Windows Could Mean Trouble

Even though you might presume condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also be a sign your home has high humidity. If this is in fact the case, water may 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, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Decrease Humidity Throughout Your Home

The good news is there are numerous options for extracting moisture from the air inside your home.

If you have a humidifier operating within your home – whether it be a smaller unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home comes down.

If you don’t have a humidifier running and your home’s humidity level is high, consider getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.

Small, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from one room. However, portable units require clearing water trays and usually service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture throughout your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which allows you to specify a humidity level just like you would choose a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will start instantly when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Manassas.

Additional Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans near humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by drawing the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level across your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air moving inside the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one area.
  • Opening up window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the damp air from being stuck against the windowpane.

By reducing humidity inside your home and circulating air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.