The windows of your home open up to the outdoors, a way to let light in as you take in the view of your garden, yard or landscape. The last thing you 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 evidence of a more serious air-quality problem in your home. Luckily, there’s multiple things you can attempt to resolve the problem.

What Causes Sweating in Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is formed by the damp warm air inside your home reaching the cold surface of your windows. It’s particularly prevalent over the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is in your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When discussing condensation, it’s important to recognize the contrast 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 in your home forming against the glass.
  • Any moisture you see between windowpanes is caused when the window seal stops working and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, and at that point the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation inside the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be resolved by fine-tuning the humidity in your home. Many things cause humidity throughout a home, including showers, cooking, bathing or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Could Mean Trouble

Although you might presume condensation in your windows is a cosmetic concern, it may also be a sign your home has high humidity. If this is in fact the case, water could also be condensing 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 Lower Humidity Inside Your Home

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

If you have a humidifier running 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 active and your home’s humidity level is high, consider purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture into your home so the air doesn’t become too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

Small, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from an entire room. However, these units require emptying water trays and most often service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will extract moisture across your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which enables you to establish a humidity level precisely like you would choose a temperature with your thermostat. The unit will begin running instantly when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems coordinate with your home’s HVAC system, so you will receive the best results if you contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Milwaukee.

Alternative Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans around humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by extracting the warm, humid air from these spaces out of your home before it can increase the humidity level in your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air swirling throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one spot.
  • Opening up window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can reduce condensation by preventing the warm air from being stuck against the windowpane.

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