The windows throughout your home open up to the outdoors, a way to draw light in while you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window plastered in a film of condensation.

Not only are windows coated in condensation unsightly, they also can be a sign of a larger air-quality problem in your home. Luckily, there’s multiple things you can attempt to address the problem.

What Produces Condensation on Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is formed by the damp warm air throughout your home hitting the colder surface of the windows. It’s particularly commonplace over the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with condensation, it’s crucial to understand the contrast 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 moist air inside your home collecting against the glass.
  • Existing moisture you notice between windowpanes is produced when the window seal stops working and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and by then the window has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be fixed by adjusting the humidity across your home. Numerous things produce humidity inside a home, such as showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be a Problem

Though you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it can be a sign your home has higher humidity. If that’s the case, water might also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Decrease Humidity Throughout Your Home

The good news is there are various options for extracting moisture from the air throughout 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 running and your home’s humidity level is excessive, think about purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture into your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from one room. However, portable units require emptying water trays and most often service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture throughout your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which enables you to set a humidity level just like you would pick a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will start immediately when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation .

Additional Ways to Lower 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, humid air from these rooms out of your home before it can raise the humidity level across your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air swirling inside the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one area.
  • Opening up window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the humid air from being stuck against the windowpane.

By reducing humidity in your home and moving air throughout your home, you can take advantage of clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.