If you’re noticing condensation on your windows, it can become bothersome. But it can also cause some pretty hefty damage to your windows over time as well. If you’ve recently upgraded to energy efficient windows, you may detect more condensation than before.

Here we’ll take a look at what causes condensation, when enough is too much, and how you can help alleviate it in your home.

How does condensation occur?

Condensation occurs when warm air comes in contact with cool air and moisture develops due to the difference in temperature. Not surprising that the glass on your windows are the first area in your home where you will notice condensation, especially in the winter when the air inside your home is warmer than the air outside.

When your home is properly insulated and energy efficient, you will encounter some small amounts of condensation. This is caused by keeping the moist warm air inside and cold air outside, which is what energy efficient windows do best to help reduce energy loss. While some small amounts are okay, you may want to remove the condensation and excess moisture.

How can you reduce condensation?

You can reduce the humidity and condensation you find in your home with some simple steps below:

• Purchase a dehumidifier
• Buy a moisture eliminator
• Open a window to allow moist air to escape and dry air to enter
• Turn on the exhaust fans in your house
• Circulate the air with ceiling fans
• Raise the temperature of the house to warm the windows
• Move plants away from windows
• Allow air to circulate by your windows
• Ensure there are no water leaks in your home
• Check and update your waterproofing materials
• Purchase an air to air exchanger
• Upgrade to double and triple glazed windows

How to know if you need to replace the insulation on your windows?

While finding small amounts of condensation is nothing to worry about, if you find that large amounts of moisture are starting to develop, there may be room for concern. The rule of thumb is that condensation will appear on the outside of the window during the summer as dew – this happens because the window is colder than the dew point. Meanwhile in the winter, the condensation will appear on the inside as the warm air that’s inside condenses on the cold windows.

So, if you are seeing condensation in between the window panes you may need to have the insulation, panes, and weather stripping replaced. Also, you should keep an eye out for any signs of decay, such as rotting wood, peeling of paint, or mold and spores. If you detect any of these, you should contact an Ottawa window company for repair or replacement.

Condensation can be a hassle to deal with, but keeping on top of reducing the moisture will help keep your windows free from damage. Don’t pay for full window replacement before you have to, if a little TLC and timely repairs will do the trick.