The windows in your home open up to the outdoors, a way to draw light in when you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows coated in condensation unattractive, they also can be a symptom of a more substantial air-quality issue inside your home. Thankfully, there’s several things you can try to resolve the problem.

What Causes Sweating on Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is formed by the moist warm air in your home reaching the cold surface of the windows. It’s especially commonplace around the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When discussing condensation, it’s important to recognize the distinction between moisture on the inside of your windows in comparison to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an indoor air quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture inside a window is created from the warm damp air in your home condensing along the glass.
  • Existing moisture you see between windowpanes is formed when the window seal fails and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and by then the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be resolved by changing the humidity across your home. Numerous things generate humidity throughout a home, such as showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Could Mean Trouble

Although you might consider condensation in your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also be evidence your home has higher humidity. If that’s the case, water might also be accumulating 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 Reduce Humidity Throughout Your Home

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

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

Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from one room. However, portable units require emptying out water trays and generally service a small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture across your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which enables you to specify a humidity level the same like you would select a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will start immediately when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Pocatello.

Other Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans in humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these areas out of your home before it can raise the humidity level across your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air flowing inside the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one place.
  • Opening up window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the warm air from being trapped against the windowpane.

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