The windows of your home open up to the outdoors, a way to draw light in as you take in the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a layer of condensation.

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

What Causes Condensation along Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is produced by the humid warm air inside your home hitting the colder surface of the windows. It’s especially prevalent 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 important to understand the contrast 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 inside a window is produced from the warm moist air inside your home forming against the glass.
  • Existing moisture you see between windowpanes is caused 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 inside the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be fixed by adjusting the humidity across your home. Many things cause humidity throughout a home, such as showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue

Even though you might think condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic issue, it could also be indicating your home has excess humidity. If this is in fact the case, water could also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Decrease Humidity in Your Home

Fortunately there are numerous options for removing moisture from the air inside your home.

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

If you don’t have a humidifier going and your home’s humidity level is excessive, consider installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which permits you to set a humidity level just like you would pick a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will start immediately when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation .

Other Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans around humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these areas out of your home before it can increase the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air flowing throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one spot.
  • Open window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by stopping the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.

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