The windows of your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to draw light in when you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window coated in a layer of condensation.

Not only are windows covered in condensation unsightly, they also can be a symptom of a more substantial air-quality problem in your home. Fortunately, there’s multiple things you can attempt to resolve the problem.

What Creates Sweating in Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is created by the humid warm air in your home hitting the cold surface of your windows. It’s particularly common during 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 know the contrast between moisture on the inside of your windows in comparison 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 humid air inside your home collecting along the glass.
  • Existing moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal stops working and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be fixed by changing the humidity in your home. Different things produce humidity inside a home, including showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Could Mean an Issue

Even though you might presume condensation in your windows is a cosmetic problem, it may also be indicating your home has high humidity. If that’s the case, water might also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can help wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity Throughout Your Home

Thankfully there are several options for eliminating moisture from the air throughout your home.

If you have a humidifier active in your home – whether it be a small-scale 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 excessive, think about installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds 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 remove the water from an entire room. However, these units require emptying water trays and usually service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture throughout your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which permits you to establish a humidity level just like you would select a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will start immediately when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Mason City.

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 drawing the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air swirling within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one spot.
  • Open window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the damp air from being caught against the windowpane.

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