What causes condensation in your home? Let’s look at the underlying conditions that might be present in your home.
Partial indoor heating – Essentially, if you keep only certain rooms/areas of your home warm during the cold months, you are creating an ever-present temperature imbalance which can increase condensation.
High levels of indoor humidity – The indoor air itself is heavy with water molecules. The source of this could be a bathroom that is constantly wet or laundered clothes left to air-dry indoors.
Warm air being blasted onto a cold surface – Consider your indoor heating. Maybe your heater is situated unfavourably close to your windows.
Window frame specifics – The material your window frames are made from is being affected by the cold.
Double glazed windows defect/damage – Such windows are great against condensation. If you have such and they get foggy, this might be a sign that there is a defect.
Old window panes – Perhaps your window panes have been put to the test of time and they are finally giving out.
Sleeping in a room – People also contribute to condensation on windows in the morning by the mere act of breathing. We tend to keep bedrooms warm so no surprise there.
What Can You Do to Stop Condensation?
1. Reduce moisture / Control indoor humidity
Condensation is caused by excess moisture in the air hitting colder surfaces, so if you want to reduce it appearing, slash moisture levels at home.
· Mindful cooking – When cooking, always turn the range hood on, put lids on pans, if possible, open a window as well. Let the warm steamy air go outside and keep the kitchen well ventilated by installing an extractor fan.
· Similarly, when you take a bath or shower, keep the room well ventilated to allow steaming air to escape through a window or vent. To stop condensation forming, the bathroom windows should be opened, and extractor fans turned on. Try to keep the bathroom door shut as much as possible so the moisture does not escape into other parts of your home.
· Wet surfaces attract moisture, so wipe them down to get rid of the excess damp.
· Consider installing double glazed windows. Double glazed units tolerate more indoor humidity before ‘fogging up’ than single pane glass units.
· Raise the average temperature of the house by one or two degrees. Depending on many conditions, this can greatly reduce condensation.
· Open blinds for air circulation. Closed blinds trap warm air in the space between the glass pane and blinds. This air cools and releases moisture in the form of condensation.
· Use a ceiling fan to circulate warm room air toward windows.
· Relocate heat vents beneath windows and alfresco doors. Do not block heat vents with furniture or other objects. The placement of these vents promotes proper air circulation throughout the house. Air circulation helps dry moisture in the air and distributes heat more efficiently.
· For unoccupied and unheated rooms, keep interior doors open. This promotes proper air circulation throughout the house.
· Vent all appliances to the outdoors. For example, make sure you open a door or window in your laundry when the dryer is on.
· Run exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
· Make sure all vent ducts are clear of lint and other obstructions.
· Buy a moisture eliminator - moisture eliminating products help combat build up. They normally in buckets or hangable bags and can be bought from stores and supermarkets. They’re safe to use in bathrooms, kitchens, and closets.
· Move your plants, unfortunately, your plants release a lot of moisture into the air. And if they’re residing by your windows, condensation will inevitably build up.
2. Dry clothes outside
During the winter, we may be more tempted to dry wet clothes indoors but doing so creates higher moisture levels in the air, contributing to condensation.
· Try to hang your washing outdoors as much as possible during winter.
· If you use a tumble dryer to dry clothes, make sure that this is vented to the outside to allow moisture to escape.
3. Allow Air to Circulate
Ventilation – The most important measure on how to prevent condensation on windows. This is your number one priority. Make sure the general living spaces are well ventilated Allow air to circulate in parts of the home where it may otherwise remain stagnant.
· Regularly open cupboards, drawers, and wardrobes, for instance, to give them an airing and do not overfill them.
· Create a gap between furniture and walls to stop air from getting trapped and causing condensation to form.
· Install fans in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry.
· Open your windows, we know it’s tricky with winter weather being so inconsistent and cold but opening your windows for airflow will dramatically help remove extra moisture.
· Keep the curtains and blinds open, the idea is to let your windows breathe. The curtains and blinds inhibit their proper ventilation.
4. Effective Insulation
Avoid damp from entering your home by ensuring it is properly insulated and has an effective damp-proof course.
· Seal up any cracks or gaps in structures, and repair any damage to gutters or roofing, sooner rather than later.
· Consider replacing outdated windows and doors with those offering the highest insulation protection, such as double glazing.
· Use weather stripping - weather stripping is a protective strip that you can apply to doors and windows to prevent cold air from seeping in through joints and frames.
5. Adequate heating
Adequately heating your home can help to reduce condensation and damp, so keep temperature levels consistent, especially in those rooms that you may not use often. A heating thermostat can be useful for this.
6. Home ventilation systems
Products such as dehumidifiers and condensation control units are excellent at reducing moisture levels in the home, but you may also find heat recovery units beneficial for improving air quality and reducing damp or mould problems.
Takeaways
Australia has chilly winters so condensation on windows is common.
Window condensation is unpleasant and it can lead to property damage, mould, and health problems.
Condensation on the inside of windows is caused by temperature imbalance (warm air vs. cold surface).
To reduce indoor condensation, ensure proper ventilation and eliminate the sources of evaporating water.