The windows throughout your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to let light in as you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window covered in a layer of condensation.

Not only are windows covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be a symptom of a more serious air-quality deficit throughout your home. Thankfully, there’s numerous things you can attempt to resolve the problem.

What Causes Sweating along Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is created by the humid warm air in your home mixing with the cooler surface of the windows. It’s especially commonplace over the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is in 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 indoor air quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture inside a window is created from the warm moist air inside your home collecting against the glass.
  • The moisture you see between windowpanes is caused 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 issue and can instead be resolved by changing the humidity inside your home. Many things cause humidity inside a home, like showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Can Be an Issue

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

How to Lower Humidity Throughout Your Home

Fortunately there are numerous options for removing 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 goes down.

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

Small, 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 remove moisture from your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which enables you to set a humidity level the same like you would select a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will begin running immediately when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Morgantown.

Other Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans around humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by extracting the warm, humid air from these spaces out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level inside your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air circulating within the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one place.
  • Open window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the damp air from being trapped against the windowpane.

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