5 ways to stop condensation on windows
Ever opened your curtains in the morning to be greeted by a window fogged with condensation? It’s not unusual at this cooler time of year, with the heating being switched on for the first time, but it’s not something you should ignore.
Condensation can be a sign of excess humidity in your home, which in turn leads to peeling paint, mould and musty smells. Even if the humidity is only minimal, it can damage the woodwork and encourage mould growth on your window frame, so you need to find a solution. That’s why we’ve rounded up five quick tips to stop condensation on windows.
Why is there condensation on my windows?
Condensation forms when the warm, humid air in your home hits the cold glass panes of your windows. The cooling effect causes the moisture in the air to reach its ‘dew point’, which forms physical droplets.
This will be more prominent in the winter because the temperature difference is more extreme when you factor in the colder temperatures outside and the heating indoors. It will also generally form around the border of the glass panes first because that is where the insulation is at its weakest.
How to stop condensation on windows
1. Open the curtains
The first step is to make sure you open your curtains in the morning. This lets the sun heat up the room and the window to stabilise the surface temperature. Opening the curtains also helps to release any moisture that has built up behind them in the night.
The humidity in our bedroom is particularly high while we sleep. In fact, according to Clearview, two adults will release up to 1.2 litres of moisture at night, so it’s best to open the windows first thing and pull back the bed sheets to ventilate the residual moisture.
2. Insulate your windows
Single-glazed windows are more likely to show condensation compared to double-glazed. This is because double-glazed windows have a second pane of glass in place to create a barrier of air between the two, which helps to regulate the temperature of the inner pane, making condensation less likely.
But there are ways to manually create another layer of insulation if double-glazing’s not possible. I’ve personally used insulation film to keep condensation at bay in the past, such as tesaMoll Thermo Cover Window Insulating Film.
3. Use your kitchen and bathroom extractor fans
When switched on, your kitchen and bathroom extractor fans will help to remove residual moisture from the air. Try to use these whenever you cook, or take a bath or shower, to release the steam. According to Clearview, showers and baths will release up to 1.7 litres of water into the air per person, while cooking contributes up to 3 litres a day. By reducing the humidity in your home, this makes condensation less abundant.
Remember to clean your kitchen and bathroom extractor fans to keep them functioning efficiently. Metal kitchen filters can sometimes go in the dishwasher for ease of cleaning. Check the manual first to confirm and wash separately in the upper rack. Wash these with warm, soapy water otherwise.
4. Use a dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers aren’t the prettiest of appliances, but they’re one of the most practical. A dehumidifier will suck in and separate the moisture from the air to be drained away, before pumping the dry air back into the room. Compressor models are more suited for indoor use and collect the water in much the same way as your windows do, creating a cold surface that the warm air moves across.
If you’ve noticed your home is particularly humid, or if you’re doing something that creates a lot of steam, such as bathing or cooking, a dehumidifier can help to remove the excess moisture. Some come with humidistats to regulate the usage and save on energy. Check out the best dehumidifiers we’ve tested for our top picks.
5. Dry clothes outdoors
Another everyday habit that creates a lot of moisture is drying your clothes indoors. As these items dry, they’re releasing the moisture into the atmosphere (up to 2.5 litres, according to Clearview), which ultimately contributes to condensation. When the sun’s shining, dry your clothes outdoors instead. This saves your home from the added moisture and the sun’s UV rays can help to brighten your whites as they dry, too.
If there’s no option but to dry your clothes indoors, make sure you ventilate the room by opening up windows. Opening windows can also help with ventilating the moisture as you cook or shower, but we appreciate this isn’t always ideal in the colder months! That’s why a dehumidifier might be handy at this time of year.
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