4 Simple Ways to Reduce Winter Window Condensation

Written by Industrial Stores Staff 11/26/21

Scraping ice off your car, getting into a freezing bed at night, or having to leave its warmth in the morning, are some of the things we don’t like about winter.

But perhaps the most irritating of all is the window condensation that makes it impossible to get a nice view of what’s going on outside.

Interior window condensation occurs when there’s warm air inside your house with excess moisture content. When the moisture comes into contact with the cold surface of the window, it forms water droplets.

Water droplets from the condensation can damage the window casing and paint. And the moisture that is evidently inside your home can damage the entire house and affect your family’s health if it leads to the formation of mold.

You’re probably not interested in the science behind condensation. You want solutions that will reduce the condensation. Easy, fast, and effective solutions.

Solution 1: Use Moisture Eliminators

One way to get rid of condensation on your windows is to get rid of the moisture inside your home. The most notorious sources are steam from your shower and stove pots. Here are three moisture-eliminating products you can use:

Get a Dehumidifier

A dehumidifier will get rid of thick condensation effectively.

It works by drawing warm air currents into its coils. The warm air passes through refrigerated coils in the device and condensation occurs.

The condensation collects in a storage tank connected to the dehumidifier. Cooler, drier air is then released back to your home.

You’ll see greater benefits if the dehumidifier automatically turns itself on when the moisture level in your home reaches a certain point. This means no one has to leave the comfort of their couch each time to turn it on or off.

This Honeywell Whole House Dehumidifier, for instance, can be programmed to introduce fresh and dry air to the entire house as you wish. It removes up to 130 pints of moisture every day, which is perfect for the coldest days of winter.

You can place the dehumidifier in areas where the air has the most moisture. It can be the kitchen, laundry room or near the bathroom. This location should be free from any blockage to allow the dehumidifier to draw air and expel it easily.

Make Use of Your Exhaust Fans

Every time you cook or take a hot shower or bath, moisture gets into the air with no quick way to escape.

Turning on the exhaust fan in the respective room can get rid of the steam. The exhaust fan works by pulling steam from the area and releasing it outdoors. Allow it to run for 15 to 20 minutes to do the job.

You can also crack the front or back door slightly. Keep it open for a few minutes to release some of the steamy indoor air and let some dry air in.

Use Drying Agents

If the condensation isn’t too thick, you can use drying agents, also known as desiccants.

A desiccant is a substance that absorbs moisture. It creates a state of dryness in its surroundings. The desiccant is placed inside a porous bag that allows it to take in the moisture around it.

Silica gel is an excellent example of a desiccant. It’s a form of silicon dioxide that has millions of tiny pores. This porous form makes silica gel capable of absorbing significant amounts of water from the surrounding atmosphere.

Even when fully saturated, silica gel will still look and feel dry, with no change to its size or shape.

Place silica gel packets on your window sills or any other place affected by condensation. You could also put some in your closets and drawers to protect your clothes from moisture damage.

Replace the packets once you notice they’re not absorbing any more moisture.

Solution 2: Warm Up the Cold Surfaces

You can also deal with window condensation by warming up the cold windows fast.

You’re probably not short on heat sources. Unfortunately, hot air is less dense than cold air, so it rises towards the ceiling.

Spread the heat in the air more evenly around the room by ensuring your ceiling fans are on and running clockwise.

A ceiling fan running clockwise pushes the warm air from the ceiling back to the floor. Exposure to large amounts of heat will warm up the windows and other cold surfaces.

Given that condensation forms when moisture from the air comes into contact with cold windows, warming up the windows will reduce the effect.

If you don’t have a ceiling fan, give this Century Motors 2217 Blower Motor Hubbles fan a shot. It comes with clockwise motor suction airflow.

Solution 3: Turn Down the Humidification

Humidity levels can get low, especially during cold seasons. This dryness can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and other parts of the body. Humidifiers resolve these issues by adding moisture to the air.

However, when the humidifier provides too much humidity, condensation occurs.

If you notice condensation on your windows, turn the humidifier down. Alternatively, get a humidifier that self-regulates.

This Aprilaire 700 Humidifier has sensors that work to keep the moisture in your house at an optimum level. It also has a digital control that shows the percent of humidity in your house.

Ideally, you want to have a 40-60% humidity level. However, this does vary depending on the weather and your geography. For example, during winter, in colder climates, you'd want to stick to a 40% humidity level.

Not sure about this option? We have plenty of other high-quality automatic humidifiers to choose from. If you’re not sure which product is right for you, our super-friendly team is always ready to help.

Solution 4: Move Your Plants and Logs

Any plant in your house will be a source of moisture. Plants release air-bound vapor, and if the plant is next to a window, it’ll cause condensation to form.

Keep your plants far from your windows during winter.

It’s also important not to over-water them. Over watering will thicken the vapor content in the air and make condensation worse.

If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, it’s also important to keep your logs outside.

Logs also contain a significant amount of water content due to the time they spend outdoors. Storing them in your house could intensify the water vapor in the air, causing condensation.

Control the humidity in your house by bringing the logs in only when you need to use them.

Is Condensation A Major Cause For Alarm?

Yes, you’re right to worry about the window condensation in your house.

Condensation on the interior of your windows is a sign that there’s condensation in other areas of the house, like the inside of your walls.

At a minimum, unaddressed condensation can cause musty odors and peeled paint. Here are some other costly effects you can expect.

Deterioration of Your House

As the wood parts of your house absorb moisture from condensation, they can soften and even rot. In the same way, moisture that gets on metal surfaces can cause rust to form. Both issues compromise the structural integrity of your house and could end up costing thousands of dollars in repairs.

Damage to Your House Items

Condensation encourages the growth of mold and mildew. Mold and mildew take the form of black or grey spots on your walls and below your windows. It can grow on carpets, paper, and any item made from wood, reducing the life of these items and their aesthetic appeal.

Health Issues to Your Family

If a member of your family is allergic to mold, they’ll experience a reaction every time there’s unaddressed condensation that encourages it to grow.

Your family’s exposure to mold and mildew can also cause health issues, such as:

• Coughing

• Eye irritation

• Nasal congestion

• Skin irritation

• Throat irritation

• The spores of these fungi can also trigger asthma

Protect Your Home and Family

Condensation is your windows’ way of warning you about the high humidity levels inside your home. Get rid of that moisture fast before the condensation leads to expensive repair or health costs.

Keep these points in mind:

• Get rid of moisture using your exhaust fans and dehumidifier.

• Warm up your windows and walls by running your ceiling fan in a clockwise direction.

• Regulate your humidifier, or better still, use one that self-regulates.

• Keep plants away from windows, and keep logs outside.

If you need to make a purchase fast, Industrial Stores has quick and lasting solutions.

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Have a look through our appliances, accessories, and replacement parts. If you have any questions, we’ll be here to answer them.

FAQs

Is condensation normal on windows in winter?

Yes. In winter, the air outside is cold and dry while the air inside your house is warm and humid. When the moisture-filled air comes into contact with a cold window, condensation forms.

Condensation mainly occurs on windows because they’re in direct contact with the cold air outside, making them the coldest surface in the house.

Do blinds make condensation worse?

No. Window condensation is a process that occurs under the conditions of temperature and humidity. Blinds don’t produce moisture, so they don’t make condensation worse.

Does vinegar stop condensation on windows?

Vinegar doesn’t stop condensation from forming. You can, however, use it to clean the condensation that has already accumulated on your windows.

Mix two cups of water with two cups of white vinegar and add a few drops of dish-washing liquid. Apply the mixture to the window and use a soft cloth to wipe off the condensation.

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