The windows of your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to allow light in while you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a layer of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unattractive, they also can be evidence of a more serious air-quality deficit within your home. Fortunately, there’s multiple things you can do to address the problem.

What Produces Condensation on Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is formed by the moist warm air in your home mixing with the colder surface of your windows. It’s notably prevalent over the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When talking about condensation, it’s necessary to recognize the difference 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 within a window is created from the warm humid air throughout your home condensing against the glass.
  • Any moisture you notice between windowpanes is produced when the window seal breaks down and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, in which case the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be fixed by fine-tuning the humidity across your home. Different things produce humidity throughout a home, like showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Can Be an Issue

Although you might think condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic issue, it may also be a sign your home has excess humidity. If this is the case, water could also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Lower Humidity Inside Your Home

Fortunately there are numerous options for removing moisture from the air inside 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 goes down.

If you don’t have a humidifier running and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, look into installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture into 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 a single room. However, these units require emptying water trays and usually service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture from your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which permits you to set a humidity level just like you would pick a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will run automatically when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Cape Coral.

Additional Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans in humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by pulling the warm, humid air from these spaces out of your home before it can raise the humidity level in your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air flowing throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one spot.
  • Opening up window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the warm air from being stuck against the windowpane.

By lowering humidity in your home and moving air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.