The windows of your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to let light in while you take in the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window coated in a coating of condensation.
Not only are windows coated in condensation unattractive, they also can be a sign of a more substantial air-quality deficit within your home. Thankfully, there’s multiple things you can do to resolve the problem.
What Produces Condensation along Windows
Condensation on the interior of windows is formed by the damp warm air inside your home mixing with the colder surface of the windows. It’s notably commonplace during 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 understand the distinction between moisture on the inside of your windows in comparison to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.
- Moisture inside a window is caused from the warm damp air in your home forming on the glass.
- Existing moisture you see between windowpanes is caused when the window seal fails and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be fixed by changing the humidity in your home. Numerous things produce humidity inside a home, including showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.
Why Condensation on Windows Can Be Trouble
Though you might presume condensation in your windows is a cosmetic issue, it can be a sign your home has high 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 encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.
How to Reduce Humidity Throughout Your Home
The good news is there are several options for removing moisture from the air inside your home.
If you have a humidifier running inside your home – whether it be a small 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 high, look into purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduce moisture in your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.
Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from one room. However, those units require clearing water trays and usually service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture across your entire home.
Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which allows you to set a humidity level just as you would select a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will run immediately when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Carson City.
Alternative Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows
- Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans near humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by drawing the warm, moist air from these areas out of your home before it can raise the humidity level inside your home.
- Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air flowing inside the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one place.
- Open window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the humid air from being caught against the windowpane.
By decreasing humidity in your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.