The windows of your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to let light in while you take in the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you would want 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 larger air-quality problem inside your home. Luckily, there’s several things you can do to resolve the problem.
What Causes Condensation along Windows
Condensation on the inside of windows is created by the humid warm air inside your home hitting the cold surface of the windows. It’s especially common during the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is inside your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When discussing condensation, it’s necessary to recognize the difference 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 on the inside of a window is caused from the warm damp air in your home forming along the glass.
- The moisture you see between windowpanes is produced when the window seal fails and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window should be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation in the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be solved by changing the humidity in your home. Numerous things cause humidity in a home, including showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be Trouble
Though you might consider condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it can be evidence your home has high humidity. If this is the case, water could also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Reduce Humidity Throughout Your Home
The good news is there are various options for removing moisture from the air in your home.
If you have a humidifier running in your home – whether it be a smaller unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home decreases.
If you don’t have a humidifier active and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, think about purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers add moisture into your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.
Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from an entire room. However, these units require emptying water trays and usually service a small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture throughout your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which enables you to establish a humidity level just as you would choose a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will start instantly when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Norco and St. Charles Parish.
Additional Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans in humidity hotspots including 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 in your home.
- Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air flowing throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one place.
- Opening up window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by preventing the warm air from being trapped against the windowpane.
By reducing humidity inside your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.