The windows in your home open up to the outdoors, a way to allow light in when you take in the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window coated in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows coated in condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a more serious air-quality deficit within your home. Fortunately, there’s multiple things you can do to resolve the problem.

What Creates Sweating along Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is produced by the moist warm air throughout your home mixing with the cold surface of your windows. It’s especially prevalent over the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is within 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 air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture inside a window is produced from the warm damp air inside your home forming against the glass.
  • The moisture you notice between windowpanes is caused when the window seal fails and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, in which case the window has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be solved by fine-tuning the humidity across your home. Numerous things generate humidity in a home, such as showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Indoor Sweating on Windows Could Mean a Problem

Even though you might presume condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic concern, it could also be evidence your home has high humidity. If this is the case, water may also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Lower Humidity in 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 comes down.

If you don’t have a humidifier active and your home’s humidity level is high, look into installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture into your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which enables you to specify a humidity level precisely like you would select a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will begin running instantly when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Rio Grande Valley.

Additional Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans near humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by drawing the warm, humid air from these rooms out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air circulating inside the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one place.
  • Opening up window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by stopping the damp air from being stuck against the windowpane.

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