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

Not only are windows covered in condensation unsightly, they also can be a sign of a more serious air-quality issue throughout your home. Fortunately, there’s several things you can attempt to address the problem.

What Creates Condensation along Windows

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

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When talking about condensation, it’s important to recognize the difference 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 humid air throughout your home condensing along the glass.
  • Any moisture you find between windowpanes is caused when the window seal breaks down and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be fixed by fine-tuning the humidity inside your home. Different things cause humidity inside a home, including showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue

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

How to Reduce Humidity Throughout Your Home

The good news is there are numerous 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 comes down.

If you don’t have a humidifier going and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, consider purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture in your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which enables you to set a humidity level precisely like you would select a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will run immediately when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation .

Additional Ways to Eliminate Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans around humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the oven can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these spaces out of your home before it can raise the humidity level across your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air circulating inside the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one spot.
  • Opening up window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by stopping the damp air from being trapped against the windowpane.

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