How to Stop Condensation on Windows in Winter

Water droplets on your iced tea glass in the heat of summer is a common sight and certainly never something to cause worry. However, water droplets or condensation on your home’s windows during the colder months of year can be a problem. If you’re noticing condensation on windows when the temperatures drop, it’s time to take a look at why it’s happening, the problems condensation can cause, and potential ways to eliminate interior window condensation in your home.

Condensation is defined as “the act or process of reducing a gas or vapor to a liquid or solid form”.

Dangers of Condensation on Interior Windows

Recurring or long-lasting window condensation is not healthy for your home. Beyond the obstructing your sight lines to outside, it can lead to water damage of the window’s seals and frame. Over time, condensation can cause wood rot and the development of mold within the walls. Moisture from condensation has the ability to seep in every area you don’t want or need moisture. It’s destructive and can lead to costly repairs if ignored.

Common Causes of Window Condensation

Window condensation can happen in any home. Sometimes condensation is caused by something as simple as the heat/steam from a long, hot shower or it forms on a kitchen window when a pot of pasta has been boiling on the stove. When you have several guests in your home during the winter, the combination of exhaled warm breath and warm bodies can lead to condensation on windows as well. Even a large collection of green plants can cause unwanted water droplets on windows. These are temporary condensation situations, but they can indicate a window issue.

Some homes experience window “sweating” seasonally when the temperature drops to or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This is especially common when a cold snap hits; the outdoor temperature drops dramatically in a short time and your heat kicks on to compensate.

Ways to Eliminate Window Condensation

Reduce window condensation with a few, simple changes:

• Run a dehumidifier: Home humidity levels should be kept below 50-percent, ideally between 30- and 45-percent. Lower home humidity also can help reduce exposure to indoor allergens, states the American Academy of Family Physicians.
• Improve air circulation: Run ceiling fans (switch their rotation in cooler months), always turn on exhaust fans when cooking or showering/bathing.
• Vent your gas fireplace or propane heater: Warm air contains more moisture than cold air.
• Increase fresh air intake: Make sure your home’s ventilation flows properly, allowing the right amount of fresh air intake and release of humid interior air.
• Opt for double-pane windows: These offer better insulation than single-pane, which means less condensation.

New homes may experience window condensation while the building materials like drywall and concrete are still drying out. You have to be patient with this, but you also can open a door or window slightly for 10 minutes or so daily to help release some of that interior moisture while running a dehumidifier and exhaust fans.

Remember that any time of year, from the coldest months of winter to the heat of summer, you can trust in United Window Cleaning Company for all your window cleaning needs.