The windows in your home are a portal 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 plastered in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be evidence of a larger air-quality problem within your home. Fortunately, there’s several things you can do to address the problem.

What Causes Sweating in Windows

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

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with condensation, it’s important to recognize the contrast between moisture on the inside of your windows versus moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an indoor air quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture within a window is created from the warm moist air in your home forming on the glass.
  • Any moisture you see between windowpanes is produced when the window seal fails 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 in your home. Many things cause humidity in a home, such as showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Could Mean a Problem

Although you might presume condensation on the inside of your windows is a cosmetic problem, it can be a sign your home has higher humidity. If this is the case, water might also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce 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 running inside 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 running and your home’s humidity level is excessive, look into getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.

Compact, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from one room. However, these units require emptying water trays and most often service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will remove moisture across your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which allows you to establish a humidity level just like you would choose a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will begin running immediately when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Boynton Beach.

Additional Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans around humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by pulling the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can raise the humidity level in your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air flowing inside the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one spot.
  • Opening your window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the damp air from being trapped against the windowpane.

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