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

Not only are windows coated in condensation unsightly, they also can be evidence of a larger air-quality issue inside your home. Luckily, there’s numerous things you can try to resolve the problem.

What Causes Sweating in Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is created by the damp warm air in your home hitting the cooler surface of the windows. It’s especially prevalent during the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is in your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When discussing condensation, it’s important 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 caused from the warm moist air throughout your home collecting along 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 needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be fixed by adjusting the humidity in your home. Many things cause humidity throughout a home, such as showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Could Mean an Issue

Though you might presume condensation in your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also be indicating your home has excess humidity. If that’s the case, water may also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can help wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Decrease Humidity Throughout Your Home

Fortunately there are several options for eliminating moisture from the air throughout 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 decreases.

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

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which permits you to establish a humidity level just like you would select a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will run automatically 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 qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Cambridge.

Other Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans in humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these areas out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level in your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air flowing within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one place.
  • Open window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.

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