When you see moisture on your windows, it isn’t necessarily a sign that something is wrong. While interior condensation can sometimes result from a failing windowpane seal, most often, it’s simply a result of humidity in the air. The water you see is condensation from the warm air meeting the cooler glass, like when a cold beverage sweats on a hot summer day.

In fact, condensation may be more noticeable on high-quality windows since they are so energy efficient, indicating that your windows have good tight seals. The things that make homes more energy efficient—weather stripping, high-quality insulation, vapor barriers, and windows and patio doors that reduce air leakage—also lock moisture inside your house.

Moisture is a part of everyday life. Anytime someone takes a shower or cooks, it increases indoor humidity. In Alaska, where the fall and winters are especially cold, it’s important to keep indoor humidity only as high as you need it. When you see interior window condensation, it’s a sign to lower the humidity.

A few quick and easy ways to do this include:

1. Opening the blinds and drapes to let moisture-laden air escape.
2. Raising the air temperature in your home (turning the heat on will decrease relative humidity).
3. Turning on ceiling fans to improve air circulation.
4. Running exhaust fans in the kitchen while cooking and in the bathroom while showering or bathing. Leave the fan running for 15 minutes after you’ve finished to clear out lingering moisture.

It’s important to manage humidity inside your home for its overall health, not just to manage condensation. Excess interior moisture can lead to swelling wood, mold or mildew, musty odors, discoloration, and cracking or blistering paint. Remember that wiping condensation off windows, especially wood or vinyl, is essential. Prolonged condensation can lead to mold, rot, or leaky seals. Use a towel, paper towel, microfiber cloth, or squeegee to wipe away excess moisture.

Want to know more? Take a look at this short video on understanding condensation.

Consider upgrading some of your older windows with new, energy-efficient ones. Give us a call or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We proudly serve Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, Fairbanks, the Kenai Peninsula, and Juno.

The post Condensation Season is Coming appeared first on Renewal by Andersen of Alaska.

How do ice crystals form on windows?

Water vapor is present as moisture in the air, experienced as humidity. In warmer months, you’ll feel a heaviness to the air. In cooler months, when the temperature drops and the windows are closed, that moisture is trapped inside your home and drawn to the window panes where it makes contact with the cold glass and changes from a gas to a liquid. This is experienced as condensation, and when outside temperatures drop further, this condensation freezes and forms into ice crystals.

For more information on indoor humidity and how to manage it, take a look at our previous post, How to Manage Indoor Humidity. For more information on how condensation happens, take a look at our video:

What can happen?

Over time, exposure to ice can cause both aesthetic and structural problems with either the finish and/or frame of your windows. As the frost or ice melts, the liquid can sit along the window frame and discolor the topcoat, crack the paint, rot the wood, and even cause mold and mildew to grow.

How to prevent it?

• Upgrade from single-pane to double- or triple-pane windows. Experiencing ice build-up on windows is more common with single-pane, as double- or triple-pane offers extra insulation from outside temperatures and should prevent the humidity inside your home from coming into contact with freezing outdoor temperatures. In addition, single-pane windows are more prone to frame, wall, and insulation damage as water may run behind the wallboard into the insulation without the double- or triple-pane to capture any excess moisture.
• Keep a towel rolled up on the window sill at night which will collect any water that forms on the glass. Mop up any excess water and replace with a fresh towel the next day.
• Raise the room temperature at night to prevent ice and frost from building up. You may need to use a space heater in a particularly cold room.
• Don’t over-water plants, and keep them in one room.
• Store your firewood outside to prevent moisture from the wood from building up inside.
• Look for leaks in your plumbing and have them repaired. Even a dripping faucet can add moisture to the air.

Ready to replace your windows? Give us a call or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, no obligation consultation. We’re proud to serve Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, Fairbanks, the Kenai Peninsula, and Juno.

The post How to Prevent Ice Build-Up on Windows appeared first on Renewal by Andersen of Alaska.

What effect does indoor humidity have on window condensation?

Condensation is caused by excess humidity. When the outside temperature cools, the temperature of the glass in your windows does as well. When warm, moist indoor air comes in contact with this cold glass, the moisture condenses and forms water droplets. To prevent condensation from forming on windows, you have to consider the window’s energy efficiency, inside and outside temperatures, but most importantly, the humidity inside your home. Indoor moisture is just a part of life. Many activities such as cooking and bathing release moisture into the air.

How can I cut down indoor humidity during winter?

• Open the blinds and drapes to let out moisture-laden air.
• Raise the air temperature in your home to decrease relative humidity.
• Turn on ceiling fans for more air circulation.
• Run exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom and leaving them running for 15 minutes or longer to clear out lingering moisture.
• Ensure proper ventilation of appliances, like dryers, to the outside.
• Avoid storing firewood in your house or basement.

What about the opposite problem? In winter, indoor heating makes the air too dry. Are humidifiers OK to use?

While some people may find humidified air easier to breathe, it’s important to clean your humidifier regularly so that mold and bacteria don’t build up in its filters. Also, if the air is humidified excessively, condensation and other excess humidity related problems can occur.

On the positive side, humidified air can reduce the shrinkage of wall cracks and wooden furniture caused by over-drying as well as reducing static electricity. Whether or not you choose to use a humidifier, you must weigh the advantages of humidity against its disadvantages, including the increased risk of condensation.

Every home is different, but a level between 30 and 40 per cent humidity is typically ideal for keeping your home warm and comfortable in the winter, without leaving condensation on the windows.

Failure to maintain a reasonable humidity level may have the following effects:

• Low humidity=skin dryness. Humidity levels below 20% may cause skin dryness, which results in itchiness and discomfort.
• High humidity=allergies. Humidity levels of over 65% may cause asthma, allergies, and other upper respiratory illnesses.
• Excess humidity=home deterioration. Components such as windows, tiles, wood, and doors that store moisture are affected most.

When windows are not properly sealed, air leakage and condensation can occur when the indoor temperature is different from the outdoor temperature. Moisture can also seep through walls and deteriorate the paint there as well as on window sashes. And if there’s too much moisture in the window frame, it could cause rotting.

The bottom line: maintain a relative humidity level that’s comfortable for you, then reduce the humidity level when condensation occurs. The best way to do this is by turning off your humidifier or reducing the above sources of humidity in your home.

For more information on condensation, check out our other blog post: Condensation Season is Starting, or view our free condensation brochure: 2021 Condensation Brochure – Renewal by Andersen.

If you feel like your old windows need to be replaced, consider a winter window replacement project! We offer quick installation and you can still experience savings from the increased energy efficiency found in new replacement windows. Call us to schedule a free consultation today!

The post How to Manage Indoor Humidity in Winter appeared first on Renewal by Andersen of Alaska.

Think about how a glass of cold water feels on a hot summer day. It’s cool to the touch, but the air around it is warm and humid. When the two meet, your beverage sweats. That’s what’s happening to your windows! So, the water you’re seeing is not a reason to worry.

It may seem counter-intuitive, but it’s actually not bad that condensation shows up on the outside or inside of your window. Condensation will appear from time to time on even the best-performing windows—in fact, it may be more noticeable on high quality windows since they are so energy-efficient. Condensation can actually be a sign that your windows have good, tight seals. The very things that make homes more energy efficient—windows and patio doors that reduce air leakage, weather-stripping, high-quality insulation, vapor barriers—also lock moisture inside your house.

Moisture is a part of everyday life. Every time someone in your household takes a shower or cooks, it contributes to increased indoor humidity. Condensation is just a by-product of this humidity.

In Alaska, where the fall and winters are very cold, it’s important to keep indoor humidity only as high as you need it. When you see condensation on the inside of your window, it’s a sign to try and lower the humidity. Here are a few tips for accomplishing this goal:

1. Open the blinds and drapes to let moisture-laden air escape.
2. Raise the air temperature in your home (turning the heat on will decrease relative humidity).
3. Turn on ceiling fans to improve air circulation.
4. Run exhaust fans in the kitchen while cooking and in the bathroom while showering or bathing. Leave the fan running for 15 minutes after you’ve finished to clear out lingering moisture.
5. Ensure proper ventilation of appliances such as dryers to the outside, as well as attic and crawlspaces.

For more information on relative humidity and condensation in your home, check out this video:

Thinking of replacing some of your older windows with new energy efficient ones? Give us a call or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. We’re proud to serve Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, Fairbanks, the Kenai Peninsula, and Juno.

The post Condensation Season is Starting appeared first on Renewal by Andersen of Alaska.