The windows of your home open up to the outdoors, a way to allow light in when you take in the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you would want to see is a sweaty window covered in a film of condensation.

Not only are windows plastered with condensation unappealing, they also can be a sign of a more serious air-quality issue throughout your home. Fortunately, there’s numerous things you can do to address the problem.

What Produces Condensation along Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is produced by the moist warm air inside your home mixing with the colder surface of the windows. It’s notably prevalent in the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is in your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When talking about condensation, it’s important to understand 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 within a window is produced from the warm humid air inside your home condensing along the glass.
  • The moisture you find between windowpanes is caused when the window seal fails and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be fixed by fine-tuning the humidity across your home. Numerous things produce humidity in a home, like showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue

Though you might think condensation in your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also be evidence your home has high humidity. If that’s the case, water may also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a thin film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity Inside Your Home

Fortunately there are various options for removing moisture from the air in your home.

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

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which allows you to set a humidity level just like you would select a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will run immediately 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 .

Alternative Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Putting in exhaust fans around humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by pulling the warm, humid air from these areas out of your home before it can raise the humidity level across your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air circulating within the home so humid air doesn’t get stuck in one spot.
  • Opening your window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the damp air from being stuck against the windowpane.

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