The windows of your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to allow light in when you take in the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window covered in a coating of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unattractive, they also can be a symptom of a larger air-quality issue throughout your home. Luckily, there’s multiple things you can try to address the problem.

What Causes 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 your windows. It’s notably commonplace over the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is in your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When talking about condensation, it’s important 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 inside a window is created from the warm humid air in your home condensing along the glass.
  • Any moisture you notice between windowpanes is caused when the window seal breaks down and moisture gets in between the two panes of glass, in which case the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be solved by adjusting the humidity across your home. Numerous things cause humidity in a home, including showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be Trouble

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

How to Reduce Humidity in Your Home

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

If you have a humidifier running within your home – whether it be a smaller 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 higher than you prefer, think about installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which enables you to establish a humidity level the same like you would pick a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will start automatically when the humidity level overtakes 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. Adding exhaust fans in humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by extracting the warm, humid air from these areas out of your home before it can increase the humidity level inside your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air swirling within the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one place.
  • Opening your window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by stopping the humid air from being stuck against the windowpane.

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