How to Reduce Window Condensation

Find out why condensation is unavoidable with windows made of uninsulated glass. You can take steps to reduce the amount of moisture, such as using dehumidifiers, but unless you replace your windows you will always have some level of condensation.

LESLIE: Alright, now we’ve got Leslie calling in – and it’s not me. And Leslie has a question about window condensation. Welcome.

CALLER LESLIE: Hello. Yes, my question is how can I reduce or eliminate condensation that forms on the inside of my windows. The home was built in the 50s and so the windows are stationary; they’re not intended to be opened or closed.

TOM: Right. Yeah, and obviously you have very inefficient windows. You probably do not have insulated glass, correct?

CALLER LESLIE: Probably.

TOM: Yeah. Well, you’re fighting physics right here, Leslie. What’s happening is you have warm, moist air that forms in the house – from everything that we do inside a house, from cooking to bathing to breathing – and that strikes the cold glass, which is not insulated, and condenses. So while you can take steps to reduce the amount of moisture inside your house, with dehumidifiers and things of that nature, you are almost always, most certainly, going to have some level of condensation unless you replace your windows.

Now, if you are thinking of replacing windows, I will say that doing so before the end of this year is wise because you can qualify for a $1,500 tax credit and that will help offset some of the expense.

CALLER LESLIE: Wow, alright. So, also, the wood around it is really weak; especially at the bottom.

TOM: (overlapping voices) Yeah, well, because it’s …

LESLIE: (overlapping voices) Because there’s water damage.

TOM: Sure. Yeah, it’s subjected to all that water. You know, you only need to raise the moisture inside the wood 20 to 25 percent before the decay organisms wake up; so yeah, that doesn’t surprise me in the least.

CALLER LESLIE: Lovely. (Leslie chuckles)

TOM: OK?

CALLER LESLIE: Alright. So replacing the windows, then, is …

TOM: Is the wise thing to do. I’ll tell you what. On our website at MoneyPit.com, there is a free download of a chapter from our book, My Home, My Money Pit: Your Guide to Every Home Improvement Adventure, that has everything you need to know about choosing replacement windows. It’s got all the latest information in it, too, about the tax credit program. So go to our website, MoneyPit.com – I believe it’s on the home page; it’s one of the rotating panels there – and you can download that free chapter and that’ll get you started.

CALLER LESLIE: Alright, thank you guys so much.

TOM: You’re welcome. Thanks so much for calling us at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.