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

Not only are windows coated in condensation unattractive, they also can be evidence of a more substantial air-quality problem in your home. Thankfully, there’s numerous things you can do to correct the problem.

What Causes Sweating in Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is produced by the moist warm air in your home reaching the cooler surface of your windows. It’s particularly commonplace during the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with condensation, it’s necessary to understand the difference 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 within a window is caused from the warm damp air inside your home forming along the glass.
  • Existing moisture you find between windowpanes is formed when the window seal fails and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and by then the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be solved by fine-tuning the humidity inside your home. Numerous things produce humidity throughout a home, like showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Can Be an Issue

Although you might consider condensation in your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also be indicating 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 slim film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Decrease Humidity Inside Your Home

Fortunately there are numerous options for extracting moisture from the air throughout your home.

If you have a humidifier active in 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 running and your home’s humidity level is high, think about installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture in your home so the air doesn’t dry out, 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 most often service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture from your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which permits you to specify a humidity level precisely like you would select a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will run instantly when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation McKinney and Frisco.

Additional Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans around humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by extracting the warm, humid air from these areas out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level across your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air moving inside the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one area.
  • Opening your window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the warm air from being stuck against the windowpane.

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