The windows in your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to let light in while you take in the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window plastered in a coating of condensation.

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

What Causes Sweating on Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is created by the humid warm air inside your home mixing with the colder surface of your windows. It’s particularly common over the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

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

  • Moisture on the inside of a window is produced from the warm moist air throughout your home forming on the glass.
  • Any moisture you notice between windowpanes is caused when the window seal fails and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and by then the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be resolved by fine-tuning the humidity inside your home. Different things produce humidity inside a home, including showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Could Mean Trouble

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

How to Decrease Humidity in Your Home

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

If you have a humidifier operating within 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 going and your home’s humidity level is high, consider purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture in your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which allows you to set a humidity level precisely like you would pick a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will begin running automatically when the humidity level exceeds 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 The Bay Area.

Other Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans near humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by pulling the warm, moist air from these areas out of your home before it can increase the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air circulating within the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one place.
  • Opening up window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the humid air from being stuck against the windowpane.

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