The windows of your home open up to the outdoors, a way to draw light in when you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or scenery. The last thing you need to see is a sweaty window covered in a layer of condensation.

Not only are windows covered in condensation unsightly, they also can be a sign of a more substantial air-quality issue in your home. Fortunately, there’s numerous things you can do to resolve the problem.

What Creates Condensation on Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is produced by the damp warm air in your home hitting the cold surface of your windows. It’s particularly common over the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

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

  • Moisture inside a window is produced from the warm humid air in your home forming against the glass.
  • Existing 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 has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be fixed by changing the humidity in your home. Different things produce humidity in a home, including showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Can Be a Problem

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

How to Decrease Humidity Throughout Your Home

Thankfully there are several options for removing moisture from the air inside 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 decreases.

If you don’t have a humidifier running and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, look into installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier extracts excess moisture out of the air.

Compact, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from a single room. However, these units require clearing water trays and most often service a fairly small area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture across your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are regulated by a humidistat, which enables you to specify a humidity level precisely like you would pick a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will run automatically when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Richmond.

Additional Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans near humidity hotspots like the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by pulling the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can raise 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 spot.
  • Opening your window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by stopping the warm air from being caught against the windowpane.

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