The windows of your home open up to the outdoors, a way to draw light in as you take in the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a film of condensation.

Not only are windows covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be evidence of a more substantial air-quality issue throughout your home. Luckily, there’s several things you can try to address the problem.

What Causes Sweating in Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is produced by the moist warm air inside your home mixing with the colder surface of the windows. It’s especially common around the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with 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 air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture on the inside of a window is created from the warm humid air throughout your home forming along the glass.
  • Existing moisture you see between windowpanes is formed when the window seal stops working and moisture slips 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 resolved by adjusting the humidity inside your home. Numerous things generate humidity in a home, including showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Can Be Trouble

Although you might presume condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic concern, it could also be evidence your home has excess humidity. If that’s the case, water may also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Decrease Humidity Inside Your Home

Thankfully there are several options for removing moisture from the air inside your home.

If you have a humidifier running within 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 higher than you prefer, look into purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture into your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which allows you to specify a humidity level precisely like you would choose a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will start immediately when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Muskogee.

Additional Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans around humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by pulling the warm, humid air from these areas out of your home before it can increase the humidity level in your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air circulating inside the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one area.
  • Opening your window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the humid air from being caught against the windowpane.

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