The windows of your home open up to the outdoors, a way to draw light in when you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window covered in a layer of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unsightly, they also can be evidence of a more serious air-quality issue within your home. Fortunately, there’s numerous things you can do to correct the problem.

What Produces Sweating in Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is created by the moist warm air throughout your home mixing with the cold surface of the windows. It’s especially prevalent during 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 understand 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 inside a window is created from the warm humid air in your home collecting on the glass.
  • The moisture you see between windowpanes is caused when the window seal breaks down and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and by then the window has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be resolved by fine-tuning the humidity inside your home. Numerous things produce humidity in a home, like showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Could Mean an Issue

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

How to Reduce Humidity Inside Your Home

Thankfully there are various options for extracting moisture from the air inside your home.

If you have a humidifier operating inside your home – whether it be a smaller 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 higher than you prefer, consider purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.

Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from a single room. However, those units require clearing water trays and generally service a somewhat limited 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 establish a humidity level just like you would pick a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will start immediately when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Sierra Vista.

Alternative Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in 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 spaces out of your home before it can raise the humidity level in your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air circulating within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one area.
  • Opening your window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by preventing the warm air from being stuck against the windowpane.

By lowering humidity across your home and dispersing air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the middle of the winter.