The windows in your home open up to the outdoors, a way to let light in while you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window coated in a film of condensation.

Not only are windows covered in condensation unattractive, they also can be a sign of a more substantial air-quality problem throughout your home. Thankfully, there’s multiple things you can try to resolve the problem.

What Creates Condensation on Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is created by the damp warm air inside your home reaching the cold surface of your windows. It’s particularly common in 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 crucial to understand the contrast between moisture on the inside of your windows compared 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 forming along the glass.
  • Any moisture you see between windowpanes is caused when the window seal breaks down and moisture slips 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 resolved by adjusting the humidity in your home. Different things generate humidity inside a home, such as showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be Trouble

Although you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic problem, it may also be a sign your home has excess humidity. If this is in fact the case, water might also be condensing 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 Decrease Humidity Inside Your Home

Thankfully there are several options for removing moisture from the air throughout your home.

If you have a humidifier operating inside your home – whether it be a smaller unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home comes down.

If you don’t have a humidifier active and your home’s humidity level is high, look into installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.

Compact, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from one room. However, those units require emptying out water trays and generally service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture from your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which permits you to set a humidity level just like you would choose 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 should contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation .

Alternative Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans near humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by extracting the warm, humid air from these spaces out of your home before it can increase the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air swirling throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one spot.
  • Open window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by stopping the damp air from being caught against the windowpane.

By decreasing humidity in 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.