The windows in your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to let light in while you appreciate the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window coated in a film of condensation.

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

What Creates Condensation on Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is created by the humid warm air in your home hitting the cooler surface of the windows. It’s particularly commonplace during the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When talking about condensation, it’s important to know 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 on the inside of a window is created from the warm damp air inside your home forming along the glass.
  • Any moisture you notice between windowpanes is formed when the window seal breaks down and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, and by then the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be fixed by fine-tuning the humidity across your home. Numerous things produce humidity inside a home, like showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue

Though you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic problem, it could 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 small film of water can cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Decrease Humidity Inside Your Home

Not to worry, because there are various options for extracting moisture from the air inside your home.

If you have a humidifier active 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 running and your home’s humidity level is excessive, consider installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture in your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.

Smaller, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from a single room. However, portable units require emptying water trays and generally service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract 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 choose a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will run automatically when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation .

Additional Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans in humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by pulling the warm, moist air from these spaces out of your home before it can raise the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air flowing inside the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one spot.
  • Opening up window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the damp air from being trapped against the windowpane.

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