The windows of your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to let light in as you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window coated in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a more serious air-quality issue within your home. Luckily, there’s numerous things you can try to resolve the problem.

What Creates Sweating in Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is created by the humid warm air throughout your home reaching the cold surface of your windows. It’s particularly common over 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 know the contrast 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 on the inside of a window is created from the warm moist air inside your home condensing on the glass.
  • The moisture you notice between windowpanes is caused when the window seal fails and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, in which case the window has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be solved by fine-tuning the humidity across your home. Different things cause humidity in a home, like showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Could Mean Trouble

Although you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic issue, it may also be indicating your home has high 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 help wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Lower Humidity Inside Your Home

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

If you have a humidifier active in your home – whether it be a small-scale unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home comes down.

If you don’t have a humidifier active and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, think about installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture in your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

Small, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from an entire room. However, these units require clearing water trays and generally service a small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture across your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which permits you to set a humidity level the same like you would pick a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will start automatically when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Sandpoint.

Alternative Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans near humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by extracting the warm, humid air from these spaces out of your home before it can raise the humidity level across your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air swirling within the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one area.
  • Opening up window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the damp air from being trapped against the windowpane.

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