Condensation on windows is a problem in many homes; however, its presence is not the only concern, as this type of moisture can cause wood to mold or rot and cause other damage to the home. An effective method to prevent it from developing is to keep the humidity level in the house under control through proper management of the temperature and air circulation, as well as preventing cold air from entering.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Reduce Humidity Inside the Home
Step 1. Install a hygrometer
It is a device that measures the humidity of the air. Since condensation forms when warm moisture in the air settles on a cold surface, such as a window, by controlling it you can stop its development. When the air in your home is too humid, take steps to counter this phenomenon.
- When the outside temperature is below -18 ° C, the percentage of humidity in the house must be between 15 and 25%;
- If the outside temperature falls between -18 and +4 ° C, the humidity rate inside the house must be between 25 and 40%.
Step 2. Install fans and vents throughout the house
One of the best ways to keep moisture out is to direct it outside with fans; it is important to install them in some rooms and in environments where there are certain equipment that creates humidity.
- Turn on the fan or fan in the bathroom when you wash; let it run for at least 20 minutes after you finish the shower;
- Turn on the hood and the kitchen fan when you are cooking and do not turn it off before another 15 minutes have elapsed, once you have finished cooking the dishes;
- Make sure the dryer vents are facing outward when doing laundry;
- If you have a gas fireplace, check that the chimney vent is vented to the outside and always keep the draft valve open when you are burning wood.
Step 3. Leave the plants outside
Those in apartments are beautiful in the house, but if you have condensation problems you must keep them outside when possible; since they produce humidity, their presence in the house could make the situation worse.
If you have a veranda that is not exposed to rain, you can arrange the plants there
Step 4. Hang the clothes out to dry outside
Drying wet laundry indoors is another possible source of moisture; if you put it back on the drying rack, take it outside to prevent the water contained in it from evaporating inside the house, aggravating the situation.
But if you can't do without it, store your clothes in a well-ventilated room by opening the door or window
Step 5. Close the door when bathing or cooking
The main factors responsible for humidity are bathing / showering and cooking food. When you wash, you close the bathroom door to prevent humidity from reaching the other rooms; for the same reason, close the kitchen door when you prepare the dishes.
While you wash or cook with the door closed, open the window to let the moisture out
Step 6. Use lids when cooking food
This is another excellent solution that allows liquids to remain inside the pots or pans; if you are boiling or steaming food, this detail is essential.
When you take the lid off the pot, stand in front of the open window and make sure the fan is running
Step 7. Turn off all humidifiers
These devices are designed to increase the humidity of the air and can therefore favor the formation of greater quantities of condensation on the windows. If you have a humidity problem, you need to turn off your home humidifiers, including the one connected to the boiler.
Step 8. Use a dehumidifier
Unlike the humidifier, this device is specifically designed to remove humidity from the air, making it an ideal tool when there is too much of it in the house; you can decide to install a system throughout the house or take a portable dehumidifier that you can move to different rooms.
Empty the basket or tub regularly to prevent water from evaporating and creating additional moisture
Part 2 of 3: Managing the Temperature
Step 1. Keep the house at the correct temperature
Being able to manage the domestic temperature is an important aspect of controlling condensation, because the latter only forms in the presence of a cold surface on which humidity can settle; it is therefore essential to keep windows and walls warm. During the cold months, turn on the boiler to raise the temperature, especially if the humidity begins to rise too high.
Use a hygrometer to always keep home humidity under control; if this reaches more than 50%, you must intervene to lower it and increase the temperature until the humidity drops below this limit
Step 2. Install the impact gaskets
They prevent cold outside air from entering the house and cool walls and windows; these simple accessories not only save money on bills, but also stop condensation from forming.
These are protective adhesive strips that are applied to doors and windows to prevent cold air from filtering into the home through the hinges and windows
Step 3. Seal the cracks around doors and windows
Even cracks and openings can allow cold air to enter the house; apply insulation around entrances to prevent walls and windows from cooling.
To apply it, you need a silicone gun and a new pack of sealant; once the product is spread, smooth it with a small knife or the tip of your finger to make it penetrate into the hole
Step 4. Install a heat recovery controlled ventilation system
This type of heat exchanger has a built-in fan; it is an expensive device (around 2000 euros), but it allows you to reduce the costs on your bills by avoiding energy waste. Furthermore, since the internal temperature of the house increases, it allows to counteract the formation of condensation.
Step 5. Install a double window
Another method of avoiding condensation is to prevent the window glass from cooling by mounting another glass outside or by replacing the old single glass with double or triple ones.
While these changes are quite expensive, they can improve the energy efficiency of your home and save you money on bills
Part 3 of 3: Improve Ventilation and Air Circulation
Step 1. Open the windows and doors
The final step in reducing the humidity in your home is to improve ventilation and air circulation. The simplest and cheapest way to do this is to open the doors and windows whenever the weather permits.
For best results, open windows on opposite sides of the room to create a draft
Step 2. Open the curtains
In this way, you allow the air to circulate and reach the windows, drying the windows and preventing the formation of condensation.
The best times to open windows and curtains are sunny days, when the heat and sunlight dries up the moisture
Step 3. Use fans to circulate the air
The self-supporting, oscillating or ceiling models are perfect for airing the house; not only do they reduce humidity, but they distribute the warm air better during the winter and provide a cool breeze in the summer.
