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

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

What Produces Condensation along Windows

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

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When discussing condensation, it’s necessary to recognize the distinction 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 humid air in your home forming along the glass.
  • Any moisture you notice between windowpanes is formed when the window seal breaks down and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and by then the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be resolved by adjusting the humidity in your home. Different things produce humidity throughout a home, including showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be a Problem

Even though you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic issue, it could also be a sign your home has high humidity. If this is in fact the case, water could also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Lower Humidity in Your Home

The good news is there are various options for eliminating moisture from the air throughout your home.

If you have a humidifier operating in your home – whether it be a small-scale unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home goes down.

If you don’t have a humidifier running and your home’s humidity level is excessive, think about purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of the air.

Compact, portable dehumidifiers can remove the water from a single room. However, these units require clearing water trays and generally service a small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture across your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which allows you to set a humidity level just like you would select a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will start immediately 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 experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Mount Pleasant.

Additional Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans around humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these areas out of your home before it can raise the humidity level in your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air flowing throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one place.
  • Opening up window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the damp air from being stuck against the windowpane.

By decreasing humidity across your home and circulating air throughout your home, you can make the most of clear, moisture-free windows even during the winter.