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 would want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a layer of condensation.

Not only are windows coated in condensation unattractive, they also can be a symptom of a larger air-quality issue inside your home. Fortunately, there’s several things you can attempt to resolve the problem.

What Causes Condensation on Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is formed by the damp warm air throughout your home mixing with the colder surface of your windows. It’s especially prevalent over the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is in your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with condensation, it’s crucial to know the contrast between moisture on the inside of your windows compared to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture on the inside of a window is produced from the warm damp air throughout your home forming on the glass.
  • Any moisture you notice between windowpanes is formed when the window seal stops working and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and by then the window has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be solved by adjusting the humidity across your home. Many things produce humidity throughout a home, like showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Indoor Sweating on Windows Could Mean Trouble

Although you might presume condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic issue, it may also be evidence your home has high humidity. If this is in fact the case, water could also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can help wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity Throughout Your Home

The good news is there are various options for eliminating moisture from the air inside your home.

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

If you don’t have a humidifier going and your home’s humidity level is high, think about getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture in your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which enables you to specify a humidity level just like you would pick a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will run immediately when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Smyrna.

Alternative Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

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

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