The windows in your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to let light in when you take in the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window covered in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unsightly, they also can be evidence of a larger air-quality problem within your home. Thankfully, there’s several things you can do to address the problem.

What Creates Sweating on Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is formed by the moist warm air in your home reaching the cooler surface of your windows. It’s notably common around the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with condensation, it’s crucial to understand the distinction between moisture on the inside of your windows versus moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an indoor air quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture on the inside of a window is produced from the warm moist air throughout your home forming against the glass.
  • Any moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal stops working and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, in which case the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be fixed by changing the humidity in your home. Different things produce humidity throughout a home, like showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue

Although you might consider condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also be indicating your home has excess humidity. If that’s the case, water could 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, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Decrease Humidity in Your Home

Thankfully there are several options for extracting moisture from the air inside your home.

If you have a humidifier operating within 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 going and your home’s humidity level is excessive, look into getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture in your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.

Compact, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from a single room. However, these units require emptying water trays and usually service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture throughout your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which allows you to specify a humidity level precisely like you would pick a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will begin running automatically when the humidity level exceeds 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 Los Angeles.

Alternative Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans around humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by pulling the warm, moist air from these areas out of your home before it can elevate 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 caught up in one area.
  • Open window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by stopping the warm air from being trapped against the windowpane.

By reducing humidity across your home and moving air throughout your home, you can make the most of clear, moisture-free windows even in the middle of the winter.