The windows throughout your home open up to the outdoors, a way to let light in when you take in the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window covered in a coating of condensation.
Not only are windows covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be a symptom of a more serious air-quality problem in your home. Luckily, there’s several things you can do to correct the problem.
What Causes Condensation in Windows
Condensation on the inner layer of windows is created by the damp warm air in your home reaching the cooler surface of the windows. It’s notably common around the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is inside your home.
Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes
When talking about condensation, it’s necessary to understand the difference between moisture on the inside of your windows compared 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 produced from the warm damp air throughout your home forming against the glass.
- Existing moisture you find between windowpanes is formed when the window seal stops working and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be solved by adjusting the humidity inside your home. Different things cause humidity throughout a home, such as showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be a Problem
Even though you might presume condensation in your windows is a cosmetic issue, it can be indicating your home has excess humidity. If this is the case, water may also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Lower Humidity in Your Home
The good news is there are numerous options for extracting moisture from the air throughout your home.
If you have a humidifier running in 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 active and your home’s humidity level is high, look into purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.
Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from a single room. However, these units require emptying out water trays and most often service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture throughout your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which allows you to set a humidity level just as you would choose a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will run instantly when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Greater Richmond.
Alternative Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans around humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level across your home.
- Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air swirling within the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one spot.
- Open window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by stopping the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.
By lowering humidity in your home and moving air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even in the middle of the winter.