Condensation appears when moist air hits a cool surface. Water condenses out of the air and settles on the surface, beading up and dripping down. If that surface happens to be your window, you may be facing a problem. Constant presence of window condensation inside your home can lead to problems with mold and rot, and condensation between your window panes means air is leaking where it shouldn’t. So, how do you prevent window condensation from appearing in your Indianapolis home? Here are a few preventative tips and solutions.
1. Install a Dehumidifier
Have you noticed that condensation appears most often during the summer months? That’s because summers, especially in the Indianapolis area, tend to be humid. The more moisture is in your indoor air, the more likely you are to see condensation on the insides of your windows — especially on cool mornings when the window temperature has decreased. Installing a dehumidifier to remove moisture from your indoor air will prevent such condensation from appearing. In minor cases, you may not even need a dehumidifier if you already have central air conditioning. Turning the air conditioner on more often or lowering the temperature a few degrees may help remove more humidity.
2. Use Your Exhaust Fans
Many Indianapolis homeowners are in the bad habit of forgetting to use the exhaust fan after taking a shower or cooking in the kitchen. This often results in condensation appearing on the inside of kitchen and bathroom windows. Remind family members to use the exhaust fans, which will help keep your humidity levels down. If your exhaust fan does not seem to be effectively discharging heat and humidity from your home, you may need a new one.
3. Move Plants Away From Your Windows
Plants give off moisture as they photosynthesize. If you have house plants and they are too close to the windows, this may be contributing to your condensation issues. Try moving the plants back from the windows a few feet. You want them close enough to get sunlight, yet far enough away that air can still flow between the plant and the window.
4. Turn On Ceiling Fans
Keeping your ceiling fans on can also help prevent condensation from appearing on the inside of your windows. The fans keep air circulating through your home, so humid air does not “get stuck” near the windows and keep leaving behind more condensation. As the air flows past the windows, any condensation on the windows will slowly evaporate. As an added bonus ceiling fans save energy because they help keep your home feeling cooler — even if you turn the air conditioning up a degree or two.
5. Replace Your Windows
The tips presented so far are mostly geared towards condensation that appears on the inside of your windows. If the condensation is located between the window panes, this problem is a bit harder to solve. The best solution is usually to replace the windows. The appearance of between-pane condensation indicates that your windows are leaky. Opting for new windows gets rid of the air leaks, and as a result, also stops condensation from continuing to appear.
Window condensation is not a problem you should ignore. If condensation is appearing between your window panes or interior condensation has caused your window frames to develop rot, contact Renewal by Andersen. We’ll schedule a free consultation in your Indianapolis home.
