The windows throughout your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to draw light in as you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window covered in a film of condensation.

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

What Creates Condensation along Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is produced by the humid warm air throughout your home reaching the colder surface of the windows. It’s particularly commonplace in the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with condensation, it’s necessary to know the distinction 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 within a window is created from the warm moist air throughout your home forming against the glass.
  • Any moisture you find between windowpanes is formed when the window seal stops working and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, in which case the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window problem and can instead be resolved by adjusting the humidity in your home. Different things generate humidity inside a home, including showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Could Mean a Problem

Though you might consider condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic problem, it can be evidence 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 cause wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity Throughout Your Home

Thankfully there are various options for removing moisture from the air inside your home.

If you have a humidifier running in your home – whether it be a smaller 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 high, look into installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture into your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which permits you to set a humidity level precisely like you would pick a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will begin running instantly when the humidity level overtakes the set level. These systems collaborate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Hasbrouck Heights.

Other Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans in humidity hotspots including 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 elevate the humidity level across your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air swirling throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one area.
  • Opening up window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the damp air from being caught against the windowpane.

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