Condensation on the inside of my new windows?!

You get new windows and are so excited but then wake up on a cold day to condensation clouding your view. What?! I just replaced my windows and now I can’t even enjoy a clear view. This must be an installation error! Condensation on your windows isn’t a sign that your windows aren’t working it’s actually showing you that your old windows on your home didn’t have an airtight seal before replacement. Think of how a pop can gathers condensation on a warm summer day. This is because the inside of the can is cooler than the outside. This same thing is happening with your home, only reverse because the inside of your home is warm and the outside is cold. Condensation occurs when warm air collides with cold surfaces, or when there's too much humidity in your home. When this moisture-packed warm air comes into contact with a chilly surface, it cools down quickly and releases the water, which turns into liquid droplets on the cold surface Replacing leaky windows and doors, installing a new roof or siding reduces the amount of air that comes into your home. It creates a tighter seal. This is great news for your energy costs; however, a new tightly sealed home retains more humidity, which means condensation on colder surfaces in your home may occur more frequently.

 

Some ways to cut down on humidity in your home are:

  • Use a portable dehumidifier or install a whole-home dehumidifier.

    Dehumidifiers reduce air moisture in your home. They extract water from the air. They are typically used to prevent mildew or mold and eliminate musty odors, but they can reduce condensation on windows.

  • Run Kitchen or Bathroom Exhaust Fans

    Moisture is released into the air every time you cook or shower. It’s hard for moisture to escape your home in the winter because moisture makes your home more comfortable and especially when you have created a tighter sealed home.  When cooking, cover your pots and pans to contain excess humidity and run your exhaust fan.  The same should be done with your bathroom fan, run it during and after a shower to help circulate humid air out of your home. It is recommended to run exhaust fans for about 20 minutes.

  • Leave interior doors open and circulate the air

    Leaving interior doors open throughout your home will help prevent humidity from building up in one space. Turning on ceiling fans, even in the winter, will help move the air around and push warm air down away from the ceiling.

  • Open curtains and blinds away from your windows Heavy curtains and blinds can trap humidity against the windows and create condensation. Sometimes just opening your curtains or blinds during the day can help move the air away.

 

As always if you have any questions, a representative from Built Right would be happy to help! Give us a call at (605) 484-1938.