The windows of your home open up to the outdoors, a way to draw light in while 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 covered in condensation unattractive, they also can be evidence of a more serious air-quality deficit in your home. Thankfully, there’s several things you can try to correct the problem.
What Creates Condensation in Windows
Condensation on the interior of windows is created by the damp warm air throughout your home reaching the colder surface of the windows. It’s notably 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 crucial 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 inside a window is caused from the warm humid air inside your home condensing on the glass.
- Any moisture you notice between windowpanes is caused when the window seal fails and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window has to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation in the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be fixed by fine-tuning the humidity inside your home. Many things produce humidity throughout a home, like showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue
Even though you might presume condensation in your windows is a cosmetic problem, it can be a sign your home has higher humidity. If this is in fact the case, water could also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small 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
Not to worry, because there are several options for extracting moisture from the air throughout your home.
If you have a humidifier operating inside 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 purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduce moisture into your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.
Compact, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from a single room. However, those units require clearing water trays and most often service a small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture from your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which allows you to set a humidity level the same as you would choose a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will run immediately when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Oxford.
Alternative Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans around humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by extracting the warm, humid air from these spaces out of your home before it can increase the humidity level in your home.
- Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air moving within the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one area.
- Open window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by stopping the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.
By decreasing humidity inside your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can make the most of clear, moisture-free windows even in the middle of the winter.