The windows in your home open up to the outdoors, a way to let 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 covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be evidence of a larger air-quality deficit inside your home. Luckily, there’s several things you can do to correct the problem.

What Creates Sweating in Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is formed by the damp warm air inside your home hitting the cooler surface of your windows. It’s notably common around the winter when it’s much colder outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When talking about condensation, it’s important to know 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 within a window is produced from the warm damp air inside your home collecting against the glass.
  • Any moisture you notice between windowpanes is caused when the window seal stops working and moisture slips between the two panes of glass, in which case the window should be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation in the windows isn’t a window situation and can instead be solved by fine-tuning the humidity in your home. Many things produce humidity inside a home, such as showers, cooking, taking a bath or even breathing.

Why Condensation on Windows Can Be an Issue

Though you might presume condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic issue, it could also be evidence your home has high humidity. If this is in fact 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, promoting the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Reduce Humidity in Your Home

Fortunately there are several options for extracting 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 decreases.

If you don’t have a humidifier active and your home’s humidity level is excessive, look into getting a dehumidifier. While humidifiers introduces moisture in your home so the air doesn’t dry out, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

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

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are managed by a humidistat, which allows you to specify a humidity level precisely like you would pick a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will begin running instantly 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 Fort Lauderdale.

Other Ways to Decrease Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Adding exhaust fans in humidity hotspots including the bathroom, laundry room or above the kitchen range can help by pulling the warm, humid air from these rooms out of your home before it can raise the humidity level inside your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air circulating throughout the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one spot.
  • Open window treatments. Opening the blinds or drapes can lower condensation by preventing the humid air from being stuck against the windowpane.

By reducing humidity inside your home and moving air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.