The windows of your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to let light in when 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 covered in condensation unsightly, they also can be a symptom of a more serious air-quality issue throughout your home. Thankfully, there’s multiple things you can do to correct the problem.

What Causes Condensation along Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is created by the moist warm air throughout your home reaching the cooler surface of the windows. It’s especially commonplace in the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is in your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When discussing condensation, it’s necessary to understand 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 created from the warm damp air inside your home condensing on the glass.
  • The moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal fails and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, in which case the window has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be fixed by changing the humidity in your home. Many things cause humidity in a home, such as showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Can Be an Issue

Although you might think condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic problem, it could also be a sign your home has excess humidity. If this is the case, water could also be condensing 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 Lower Humidity Throughout Your Home

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

If you have a humidifier active inside your home – whether it be a smaller 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, look into purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture into your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

Compact, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from one room. However, portable units require clearing water trays and generally service a small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture across your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which enables you to establish a humidity level just like you would select a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will begin running instantly when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Tucson and Phoenix.

Additional Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans near humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by pulling the warm, humid air from these rooms out of your home before it can increase the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air swirling throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one area.
  • Open window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the humid air from being caught against the windowpane.

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