The windows in your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to let light in as you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window plastered in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unattractive, they also can be a symptom of a more serious air-quality problem within your home. Luckily, there’s several things you can try to resolve the problem.

What Creates Condensation in Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is created by the moist warm air throughout your home reaching the colder surface of your windows. It’s notably common around the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When discussing condensation, it’s necessary to understand 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 damp air throughout your home condensing on the glass.
  • Existing moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal breaks down and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, in which case the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be solved by fine-tuning the humidity across your home. Many things generate humidity throughout a home, such as showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Could Mean a Problem

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

How to Lower Humidity Throughout Your Home

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

If you have a humidifier running inside 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 active and your home’s humidity level is high, look into purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.

Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from one room. However, portable units require emptying out water trays and usually service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture from your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which enables you to specify a humidity level the same like you would select a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will start automatically when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Port St. Lucie.

Additional Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans near humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can raise the humidity level across your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air circulating throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one spot.
  • Opening up window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the warm air from being caught against the windowpane.

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