Winter Window Condensation Problems

By Todd Fratzel on Air Conditioning

If you live in a cold part of the country you are familiar with condensation and ice forming on the inside of windows. This problem is becoming more prevalent with new home construction due in part to the increased insulation and “tightness” of the houses. As the temperatures continue to drop outside I receive lots of inquiries about window condensation.

Condensation and ice form on windows because the window surface is below the dew point for the air near the window, so some of the moisture in the air condenses on the glass. The higher the relative humidity of the air near the window, the higher the temperature of the dew point. Basically there are two ways to prevent this from happening. The first is to reduce the relative humidity in the house and the second is to increase the temperature of the window glass.

Reducing the relative humidity is the most effective way of reducing window condensation. Make sure that exhaust fans are vented properly and in good working condition. Bathrooms, dryer vents and kitchen vents are the biggest culprits for introducing increased humidity inside the home. Proper venting is crucial because today’s homes have been insulated so well that there is no way for the additional moisture to escape. To be effective the relative humidity must be dropped to a minimum of 40%.

Increasing the temperature of the window is a bit more challenging. For starters make sure window curtains and blinds are opened during the day to let in sun and also to allow air movement to help dry things out. By opening curtains and blinds you’re also allowing the warmer air from the room to warm up the window.

If you take these steps and have good quality windows the condensation and ice should go away. For additional information contact the manufacturer of your windows or check with your local building supply company.




About the author

Todd Fratzel

I'm full time builder for a large construction company in New Hampshire. I run their design-build division that specializes in custom homes, commercial design-build projects and sub-divisions. I'm also a licensed civil and structural engineer with extensive experience in civil and structural design and home construction. My hope is that I can share my experience in the home construction, home improvement and home renovation profession with other builders and home owners. I'm also the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Tool Box Buzz. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or you'd like to inquire about advertising on this site.

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