Windows say a lot about our homes. During the heating season, that message is all too often about excess moisture and air leaks. While a small amount of window condensation is unlikely to cause any major issues, significant condensation that lingers or rustling window treatments could be cause for concern and will likely require prompt attention. To clarify things a bit, here’s the kind of window condensation that you should be paying attention to and some practical advice to correct the problem.

First and foremost, to determine whether the condensation on your house windows is really something to be concerned, you must understand exactly what condensation is. Because today’s homes are designed to be more “air-tight,” so as to achieve greater energy efficiency, the air being circulated can become saturated with the by-products of day-to-day life within the home. One such by-product is water vapor, which can show up as condensation on your house windows.

When you see a significant amount or more widespread case of window condensation, it could be a warning sign that either there is too much water vapor in your home or that there circulation of the air within your home is insufficient. In either case, the result could be damage to the structural components and fixtures throughout your home. It could also negatively impact your health and that of others who are present in the home.

To assess the situation and determine whether your window condensation requires additional attention, follow these recommended steps:

• Check the relative humidity in each room of your home. You can do so using a sling psychrometer. Be sure to check all rooms, even those that don’t have any window condensation present. Record the results of your readings and note other important data, such as time of day, weather conditions and temperatures both indoors and outside.
• Determine where the window is located. This is relevant because house windows that aren’t in direct sunlight are more likely to develop condensation than those that are. Additionally, windows that extend out from the walls of the home, such as bay windows, may be more likely to condensate due to the greater exposure to the elements outside and further distance from quality air circulation inside.
• Assess other physical factors, such as whether the windows showing the most condensation happen to have window treatments, such as blinds, drapes or shutters. These things can impede good air circulation, which can lead to increased chance of condensation developing. Furthermore, windows in different rooms may feature different relative humidity levels.

Once you’ve pinpointed the potential problem, the next step is taking appropriate measures to address the issue as swiftly and effectively as possible.

First, make sure window sashes are latched shut, opening window treatments to warm the glass and improve air circulation. You can also take measures to reduce the level of moisture within your home, such as taking shorter showers, covering pots while cooking and only using washing machines and dishwashers when they’re completely full. Exhaust fans can also help cut down on excess humidity.

Next, regulate inside air temperature. Keeping your heating and cooling systems in good working order plays a big role in whether you’ll experience significant and/or damaging window condensation. Remember that the temperature of the air within your home has a direct impact on the relative humidity, which in turn affects the amount of water vapor in the air.

Control air circulation. This ties back into the importance of maintaining good working heating and cooling systems, as they are primarily responsible for circulating the air throughout your home. All registers and air filters should be clean to allow free flow of circulating air. Ceiling fans and portable fans can also be used to increase air circulation as needed.

Install quality windows. The right windows can make all the difference when it comes to preventing condensation. Today’s windows are designed using state-of-the-art technology and exceptional quality materials that have been specifically developed to help regulate internal air quality by keeping the temperature within as it should be while keeping the temperature outside from coming in.  

Are you losing money or placing yourself, your family and your home in harm’s way due to window condensation? If you are in need of  replacement windows, call us for a free, no obligation consultation.