The windows in your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to let light in as you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window covered in a layer of condensation.
Not only are windows coated in condensation unsightly, they also can be a sign of a larger air-quality problem throughout your home. Fortunately, there’s several things you can attempt to address the problem.
What Causes Condensation along Windows
Condensation on the inner layer of windows is formed by the moist warm air in your home mixing with the colder surface of the windows. It’s particularly prevalent during the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is in your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When talking about condensation, it’s important to recognize the difference between moisture on the inside of your windows in comparison to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an indoor air quality issue and the other is a window issue.
- Moisture within a window is caused from the warm damp air throughout your home condensing along the glass.
- The moisture you notice between windowpanes is produced when the window seal stops working and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and by then the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation in the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be fixed by changing the humidity across your home. Numerous things produce humidity in a home, such as showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be a Problem
Though you might consider condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic problem, it can 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 thin 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 several options for eliminating moisture from the air throughout 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 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 introduce 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 a single room. However, these units require emptying out water trays and generally service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture across your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which enables you to set a humidity level precisely as you would select a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will start immediately when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Lincoln.
Other 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, humid air from these areas out of your home before it can raise the humidity level throughout your home.
- Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air swirling inside the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one place.
- Open window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the warm air from being stuck against the windowpane.
By reducing humidity across your home and moving air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.