The windows in 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 want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a film of condensation.
Not only are windows plastered with condensation unattractive, they also can be a sign of a more serious air-quality problem inside your home. Thankfully, there’s numerous things you can do to correct the problem.
What Causes Condensation on Windows
Condensation on the inside of windows is created by the humid warm air throughout your home reaching the cooler surface of your windows. It’s notably commonplace around the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is inside your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When discussing condensation, it’s crucial 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 created from the warm damp air throughout your home condensing on the glass.
- Any moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal fails and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and at that point 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 inside your home. Numerous things cause humidity in a home, including showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be Trouble
Though you might think condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic problem, it may also be a sign your home has higher humidity. If this is the case, water might also be condensing 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 Lower Humidity in Your Home
Not to worry, because there are numerous options for removing moisture from the air throughout your home.
If you have a humidifier running within your home – whether it be a small-scale 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 getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduce moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.
Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from one room. However, these units require emptying out water trays and most often service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture across your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which permits you to specify a humidity level precisely as you would select a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will start immediately when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Tucson.
Additional Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans around humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by drawing the warm, humid air from these rooms out of your home before it can raise the humidity level throughout your home.
- Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air swirling throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one place.
- Opening up window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by stopping the humid air from being stuck against the windowpane.
By decreasing humidity inside your home and circulating air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.