The windows throughout your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to draw light in when you take in the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window plastered in a film of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a more substantial air-quality deficit inside your home. Thankfully, there’s numerous things you can do to resolve the problem.

What Causes Condensation in Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is created by the humid warm air in your home mixing with the cold surface of the windows. It’s especially commonplace over the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When discussing condensation, it’s important to recognize the distinction 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 within a window is produced from the warm damp air throughout your home collecting on the glass.
  • Any moisture you notice between windowpanes is produced 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 in the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be fixed by adjusting the humidity inside your home. Numerous things generate humidity throughout a home, such as showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Could Mean Trouble

Although you might consider condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic problem, it could also be indicating your home has high humidity. If this is in fact the case, water may also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity in Your Home

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

If you have a humidifier running within 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, consider purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.

Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from an entire room. However, those units require emptying water trays and usually service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture from your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which enables you to specify a humidity level the same like you would choose a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will run automatically when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Houston.

Other Ways to Reduce 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 rooms out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level in your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air circulating throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one area.
  • Open window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by preventing the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.

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