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

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unattractive, they also can be evidence of a more serious air-quality deficit inside your home. Thankfully, there’s multiple things you can try to correct the problem.

What Creates Condensation on Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is created by the damp warm air in your home hitting the cooler surface of the windows. It’s particularly commonplace around the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is in your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with condensation, it’s crucial to recognize the distinction between moisture on the inside of your windows versus moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture inside a window is produced from the warm humid air in your home condensing against the glass.
  • Existing moisture you see between windowpanes is caused when the window seal breaks down 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 issue and can instead be resolved by changing the humidity in your home. Numerous things generate humidity throughout a home, such as showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Indoor Sweating on Windows Can Be a Problem

Though you might presume condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic problem, it may also be a sign your home has excess humidity. If that’s the case, water may 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, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Decrease Humidity Inside Your Home

The good news is there are several options for extracting moisture from the air inside your home.

If you have a humidifier operating within your home – whether it be a small-scale 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 high, look into purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture in your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.

Small, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from one room. However, these units require clearing water trays and generally service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture throughout your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which allows you to set a humidity level precisely like you would select a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will begin running immediately when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Oxford.

Alternative Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans around humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by pulling the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level across your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air circulating throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one spot.
  • Open window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the warm air from being trapped against the windowpane.

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