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

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unsightly, they also can be evidence of a larger air-quality deficit in your home. Luckily, there’s several things you can do to address the problem.

What Produces Condensation in Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is produced by the humid warm air throughout your home mixing with the cooler surface of your windows. It’s notably commonplace in the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When talking about condensation, it’s necessary to recognize the distinction 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 within a window is created from the warm humid air inside your home condensing along the glass.
  • Existing moisture you find between windowpanes is formed when the window seal breaks down and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, in which case the window has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be fixed by adjusting the humidity inside your home. Many things produce humidity in a home, including showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Could Mean Trouble

Though you might think condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it can be evidence your home has high humidity. If this is in fact the case, water might also be condensing 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 Lower Humidity in Your Home

Not to worry, because there are various options for eliminating moisture from the air in your home.

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

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

Small, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from an entire room. However, portable units require clearing water trays and usually service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture across your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which allows you to establish a humidity level the same like you would pick a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will run automatically when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Greater Richmond.

Other Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans near humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can increase the humidity level in your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air circulating throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one area.
  • Open window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by preventing the damp air from being stuck against the windowpane.

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