The windows of your home are a gateway to the outdoors, a way to allow light in when you enjoy 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 coated in condensation unsightly, they also can be a sign of a more substantial air-quality deficit within your home. Thankfully, there’s numerous things you can attempt to correct the problem.

What Creates Condensation along Windows

Condensation on the interior of windows is formed by the humid warm air in your home reaching the colder surface of your windows. It’s notably prevalent during 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 necessary to recognize the contrast between moisture on the inside of your windows versus moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an indoor air quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture on the inside of a window is produced from the warm humid air throughout your home forming against the glass.
  • Existing moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal stops working and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, in which case the window needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be solved by adjusting the humidity across your home. Different things cause humidity in a home, such as showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue

Though you might think condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it can be a sign your home has high humidity. If this is in fact the case, water might also be accumulating on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can help wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, fostering the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity in Your Home

Thankfully there are several options for eliminating moisture from the air inside your home.

If you have a humidifier active inside your home – whether it be a small unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home decreases.

If you don’t have a humidifier going and your home’s humidity level is excessive, look into purchasing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture inside your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

Small, portable dehumidifiers can eliminate the water from an entire room. However, these units require emptying 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 managed by a humidistat, which allows you to establish a humidity level just like you would select a temperature on your thermostat. The unit will start automatically when the humidity level surpasses the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you should contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation .

Alternative Ways to Lower Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans in humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by extracting the warm, moist air from these areas out of your home before it can elevate the humidity level throughout your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Running ceiling fans can also keep air circulating within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one spot.
  • Opening your window treatments. Pulling open the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the humid air from being caught against the windowpane.

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