The windows of your home open up to the outdoors, a way to draw light in while you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window covered in a coating of condensation.
Not only are windows covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a larger air-quality issue in your home. Thankfully, there’s multiple things you can attempt to address the problem.
What Creates Condensation in Windows
Condensation on the interior of windows is formed by the damp warm air in your home hitting the cold surface of your windows. It’s particularly common around the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is inside your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When dealing with condensation, it’s important to recognize the difference between moisture on the inside of your windows compared 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 created from the warm moist air in your home forming against the glass.
- The moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal fails and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, in which case the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be solved by changing the humidity across your home. Numerous things generate humidity in a home, including showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue
Even though you might consider condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic issue, it may also be a sign your home has higher humidity. If this is in fact the case, water may also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Reduce Humidity Inside Your Home
The good news is there are various options for extracting moisture from the air in 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 decreases.
If you don’t have a humidifier active and your home’s humidity level is excessive, think about installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers add moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.
Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from one room. However, portable units require emptying water trays and most often service a 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 specify a humidity level the same as you would pick a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will start immediately when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Los Angeles.
Other Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans near humidity hotspots such as 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 increase the humidity level across your home.
- Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air flowing throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one area.
- Open window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.
By decreasing humidity in your home and circulating air throughout your home, you can make the most of clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.