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

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unsightly, they also can be evidence of a more serious air-quality deficit within your home. Fortunately, there’s multiple things you can try to address the problem.

What Produces Sweating in Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is produced by the damp warm air throughout your home mixing with the cooler surface of the windows. It’s notably common over the winter when it’s much chillier outside than it is inside your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When discussing condensation, it’s important to know 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 created from the warm moist air inside your home condensing against the glass.
  • Existing moisture you find between windowpanes is formed when the window seal breaks down and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, in which case the window has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be resolved by fine-tuning the humidity in your home. Different things cause humidity in a home, including showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Indoor Sweating on Windows Could Mean Trouble

Although you might think condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it can be indicating your home has high humidity. If this is the case, water might also be collecting on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can help wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Lower Humidity in Your Home

Not to worry, because there are numerous options for removing moisture from the air in your home.

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

If you don’t have a humidifier active and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, look into installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put 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 a single room. However, these units require emptying water trays and usually service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture across your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which permits you to establish a humidity level the same like you would select a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will start 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 qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Lexington.

Alternative Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans around humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by drawing the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can increase the humidity level inside your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Turning on ceiling fans can also keep air flowing within the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one area.
  • Opening your window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by stopping the humid air from being trapped against the windowpane.

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