The windows in 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 plastered in a film of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unsightly, they also can be evidence of a larger air-quality issue inside your home. Luckily, there’s numerous things you can try to address the problem.

What Creates Sweating on Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is created by the moist warm air inside your home mixing with the cold surface of your 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 talking about condensation, it’s important to know the difference 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 within a window is caused from the warm moist air in your home forming along the glass.
  • Existing moisture you see between windowpanes is produced when the window seal breaks down and moisture gets in 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 changing the humidity in your home. Different things generate humidity throughout a home, like showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be a Problem

Though you might think condensation in your windows is a cosmetic issue, it could also be indicating your home has excess humidity. If that’s the case, water may also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity Throughout Your Home

Thankfully there are various options for eliminating moisture from the air in your home.

If you have a humidifier active in your home – whether it be a smaller 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, consider installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture in your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which enables you to set a humidity level precisely like you would pick a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will run instantly when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Carpentersville.

Other Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans around humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by pulling the warm, humid air from these areas out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level across your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air moving within the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one area.
  • Opening your window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by preventing the warm air from being caught against the windowpane.

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