Control humidity to clear window condensation

[Guest guest]

Control humidity to clear window condensation

By and Carey

Seattle Times

The Associated Press

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/homegarden/2003479772_condensat

ion16.html?syndication=rss

During the winter months, it is common to see " sweat " or

condensation on windows. Beyond being a nuisance, this condition can

lead to mold, rot and a musty odor throughout your home.

This excessive moisture is water vapor in the air turning into

liquid water. It's the same condition that occurs when a cold can of

soda is removed from a refrigerator and exposed to room temperature —

beads of moisture collect on the outside of the can to form a layer

of condensation.

Many modern energy-efficient windows have features built in to keep

the temperature of the glass as warm as possible and thus reduce

condensation.

However, there is no such thing as a condensation-free window in

high-humidity conditions. Controlling the amount of moisture in your

home is the most effective action you can take to avoid condensation.

Here are a few ways to dry out sweating windows:

Open window blinds during the day. This allows sunlight in and will

warm interior air to create natural air currents. The improved

circulation results in a more-even temperature.

Use ventilation fans in bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms to

remove excess moisture in the air.

Leave the fans on while bathing, cooking or doing laundry and for a

period afterward to fully remove excess moisture.

Use a ceiling fan. In winter, run the fan in the reverse direction

at a low to moderate speed.

The blades will push air upward toward the ceiling and down across

walls and windows. This air movement will make for even heating and

will dry most windows of condensation.

Air out your home frequently by opening doors and windows.

Reduce the number of indoor house plants, as plants increase

humidity levels. If you have a terrarium, you know that the inside

surface of the envelope is covered with condensation. That's no

accident — plants and damp soil increase humidity. If you have

sweaty windows and lots of houseplants, you may need to thin out

some of the plants to clear the windows.

Use a dehumidifier to remove excess humidity from the air. A

dehumidifier is essentially an air-conditioner that has hot and cold

coils in the same container. A fan draws humid air over the cold

coil of the air-conditioner to condense moisture, which then drips

into a collection container. Dry air passes over the hot coil to

restore it to its original temperature.

For best indoor comfort and health, a relative humidity of about 45

percent is ideal. You can track your home's humidity with an

inexpensive hygrometer

[Guest guest]

I have windows that will sweat when humidity is only 30% or less if it

is cold enough. If I got new better windows then I FEAR the

condensation will occur INSIDE the walls instead of at the windows. I

think if I keep humidity down low enough to keep my old windows from

sweating, then I feel unlikely between the wall problems will occur.

If the summer, I can't get humidity below 50% and in the winter, it

depends on how cold it is out but generally speaking, I can't let the

humidity get above 35% on average, so I wonder who can safely humidify

to 45% all winter long.

--- In , " tigerpaw2c " <tigerpaw2c@...>

wrote:

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> Control humidity to clear window condensation