The windows in your home are a portal to the outdoors, a way to draw light in when 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 unattractive, they also can be a sign of a more substantial air-quality deficit inside your home. Thankfully, there’s multiple things you can attempt to correct the problem.

What Causes Condensation along Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is created by the damp warm air in your home mixing with the colder surface of the windows. It’s notably common during 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 crucial to understand 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 within a window is created from the warm humid air throughout your home condensing against the glass.
  • Any moisture you see between windowpanes is produced when the window seal breaks down and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and by then the window has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be resolved by changing the humidity in your home. Many things produce humidity throughout a home, including showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue

Even though you might think condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic issue, it can be indicating your home has higher humidity. If this is in fact the case, water might also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Decrease Humidity Throughout Your Home

The good news is there are several options for eliminating moisture from the air throughout your home.

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

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

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which allows you to set a humidity level the same like you would select a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will begin running instantly when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact experienced professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation .

Other Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans around humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these rooms out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level across your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air moving throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get caught up in one place.
  • Open window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by stopping the damp air from being caught against the windowpane.

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