The windows in your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to let light in as you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window covered in a film of condensation.

Not only are windows coated in condensation unsightly, they also can be evidence of a more serious air-quality issue inside your home. Thankfully, there’s multiple things you can do to address the problem.

What Causes Condensation on Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is created by the damp warm air inside your home hitting the cooler surface of the windows. It’s particularly common around the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When talking about condensation, it’s crucial to recognize 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 created from the warm humid air inside your home collecting against the glass.
  • Any moisture you see between windowpanes is produced when the window seal breaks down and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and by then the window has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be solved by fine-tuning the humidity across your home. Different things cause humidity inside a home, like showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be a Problem

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

How to Decrease Humidity Inside Your Home

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

If you have a humidifier running 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 going and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, consider getting 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.

Small, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from a single room. However, these units require clearing water trays and generally service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture across your entire home.

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

Alternative Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows

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

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