The windows of your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to allow light in when you enjoy 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 a sign of a larger air-quality issue throughout your home. Luckily, there’s several things you can attempt to correct the problem.
What Creates Condensation in Windows
Condensation on the interior of windows is formed by the damp warm air inside your home hitting the cold surface of the windows. It’s especially commonplace during 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 important to recognize the difference between moisture on the inside of your windows in comparison to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an indoor air quality issue and the other is a window issue.
- Moisture inside a window is caused from the warm humid air throughout your home condensing against the glass.
- Any moisture you notice between windowpanes is caused when the window seal breaks down and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and by then the window has to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation in the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be solved by changing the humidity in your home. Numerous things generate humidity inside a home, such as showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue
Although you might presume condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic problem, it may also be indicating your home has higher humidity. If this is the case, water might also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can help wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Reduce Humidity Throughout Your Home
Thankfully there are several options for removing 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 higher than you prefer, look into installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers add moisture into your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.
Small, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from one room. However, these units require emptying out water trays and most often service a small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture throughout your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which allows you to establish a humidity level just as you would pick a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will run automatically when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Marshalltown.
Additional Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans near humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by extracting the warm, humid air from these rooms out of your home before it can raise the humidity level inside your home.
- Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air swirling within the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one area.
- Open window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.
By reducing humidity inside your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.