The windows of your home open up to the outdoors, a way to allow light in while you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window covered in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be evidence of a larger air-quality problem in your home. Fortunately, there’s several things you can attempt to address the problem.

What Causes Sweating in Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is created by the damp warm air in your home mixing with the cooler surface of the windows. It’s particularly prevalent over the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When discussing condensation, it’s important to recognize the contrast 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 on the inside of a window is created from the warm moist air throughout your home condensing along the glass.
  • Any 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 should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be fixed by adjusting the humidity in your home. Different things produce humidity inside a home, like showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Could Mean an Issue

Even though you might consider condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it could also be indicating your home has excess humidity. If that’s the case, water could also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity Throughout Your Home

Fortunately there are several 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 running and your home’s humidity level is excessive, think about installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture into your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

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

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

Alternative Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans around humidity hotspots such as 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 elevate the humidity level in your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air moving within the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one spot.
  • Opening your window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by stopping the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.

By lowering humidity inside your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can make the most of clear, moisture-free windows even in the middle of the winter.