The windows in your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to let light in when you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window covered in a coating of condensation.

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

What Creates Sweating on Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is formed by the humid warm air inside your home hitting the colder surface of the windows. It’s notably commonplace around the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with condensation, it’s important to know the difference between moisture on the inside of your windows compared 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 inside your home forming along the glass.
  • Existing moisture you see between windowpanes is produced when the window seal breaks down and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be fixed by fine-tuning the humidity across your home. Many things generate humidity inside a home, such as showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Could Mean Trouble

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

How to Reduce Humidity Throughout Your Home

Thankfully there are several options for extracting moisture from the air inside 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 goes down.

If you don’t have a humidifier going and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, consider purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture in your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can absorb 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 eliminate moisture from your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which allows you to establish a humidity level just like you would choose a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will begin running immediately when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Safford.

Additional Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans in humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by drawing the warm, moist air from these spaces out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level inside your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air circulating within the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one place.
  • Opening up window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the humid air from being caught against the windowpane.

By reducing humidity in your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.