The windows of your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to let light in when you take in the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window coated in a film of condensation.

Not only are windows covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a more substantial air-quality issue inside your home. Thankfully, there’s several things you can attempt to resolve the problem.

What Creates Sweating along Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is produced by the humid warm air inside your home hitting the cold surface of your windows. It’s particularly commonplace over the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with condensation, it’s crucial to know the distinction between moisture on the inside of your windows compared to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an indoor air quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture inside a window is produced from the warm humid air inside your home condensing along the glass.
  • The moisture you find between windowpanes is caused when the window seal stops working and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be solved by adjusting the humidity in your home. Numerous things generate humidity inside a home, such as showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Indoor Sweating on Windows Could Mean an Issue

Although you might consider condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic issue, it can be evidence your home has high humidity. If this is 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, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Lower Humidity in Your Home

Thankfully there are numerous options for extracting moisture from the air throughout your home.

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

If you don’t have a humidifier going and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, consider installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture into your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

Small, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from one room. However, portable units require clearing water trays and generally service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture from your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which permits you to specify a humidity level precisely like you would choose a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will run instantly when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Florissant and St. Charles.

Alternative Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans around humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by drawing the warm, humid air from these rooms out of your home before it can raise the humidity level in your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air swirling within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one spot.
  • Opening up window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping 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 winter.