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

Not only are windows coated in condensation unsightly, they also can be a symptom of a more substantial air-quality problem inside your home. Thankfully, there’s numerous things you can attempt to correct the problem.

What Produces Condensation on Windows

Condensation on the inside of windows is formed by the humid warm air inside your home hitting the cooler surface of your windows. It’s especially prevalent 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 important to know the distinction between moisture on the inside of your windows in comparison to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture inside a window is created from the warm damp air throughout your home forming along the glass.
  • The moisture you notice between windowpanes is produced when the window seal stops working and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be solved by changing the humidity in your home. Different things produce humidity throughout a home, like showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Could Mean a Problem

Though you might consider condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it could also be a sign your home has excess humidity. If this is the case, water could also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a small film of water can encourage 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 operating inside 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 high, look into installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers put moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which allows you to set a humidity level just like you would select a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will begin running immediately when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact skilled professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Winnipeg.

Additional Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows

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

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