The windows of your home open up 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 would want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows coated in condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a more serious air-quality deficit throughout your home. Thankfully, there’s numerous things you can attempt to resolve the problem.

What Causes Sweating in Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is formed by the damp warm air throughout your home mixing with the colder surface of your windows. It’s particularly common over 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 important to know the distinction between moisture on the inside of your windows in comparison to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture within a window is caused from the warm damp air inside your home condensing along the glass.
  • The moisture you find between windowpanes is caused when the window seal fails and moisture gets in 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 issue and can instead be fixed by fine-tuning the humidity in your home. Many things cause humidity throughout a home, like showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Could Mean an Issue

Even though you might think condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also be indicating your home has excess humidity. If this is the case, water might also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity Inside Your Home

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

If you have a humidifier operating inside 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, consider getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture into your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.

Small, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from one room. However, portable units require emptying water trays and generally service a fairly small 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 like you would pick a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will begin running automatically 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 skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Redmond.

Alternative Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans in humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by drawing the warm, moist air from these areas out of your home before it can raise the humidity level inside your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air flowing throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one place.
  • Opening up window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by stopping the damp air from being caught against the windowpane.

By decreasing humidity inside your home and moving air throughout your home, you can make the most of clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.