The windows throughout your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to allow light in when you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window plastered in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows covered in condensation unattractive, they also can be evidence of a more substantial air-quality issue within your home. Thankfully, there’s numerous things you can attempt to address the problem.

What Creates Condensation along Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is produced by the moist warm air inside your home reaching the colder surface of the windows. It’s particularly commonplace during 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 necessary to recognize the contrast between moisture on the inside of your windows versus 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 collecting along the glass.
  • The moisture you find between windowpanes is caused when the window seal breaks down and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be resolved by fine-tuning the humidity inside your home. Different things produce humidity throughout a home, like showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Could Mean an Issue

Even though you might think condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it can be a sign your home has high humidity. If this is in fact the case, water may 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 Reduce Humidity Inside Your Home

Thankfully there are numerous options for eliminating moisture from the air throughout your home.

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

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

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which permits you to establish a humidity level just like you would pick a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will begin running instantly when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Phoenix.

Alternative Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans near humidity hotspots such as 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 increase the humidity level inside your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air swirling inside the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one area.
  • Opening up window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the damp air from being stuck against the windowpane.

By lowering 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.