Simple and cheap ways to stop condensation on windows

How to prevent condensation on windows

As a former shift worker, I always found it tough enough to open the curtains in the morning only to see it’s still dark outside. But what I hated even more was to find my windows covered in condensation. The last thing I wanted to do was spend 20 minutes wiping them all down.

Below are some preventative measures you can take to avoid serious problems when it comes to condensation during the colder months.

What causes condensation?

So, why do we suffer from condensation, especially in the winter? Well, it usually forms when warm air meets a cold surface. In most cases, this is a window – whether it’s double-glazing or a single pane. Condensation can also be an issue if there is high humidity in your home.

What causes high humidity in a house?

An increase in humidity is usually caused by air not circulating as it should. This happens during the winter when we have our heating switched on and windows are kept closed. Everyday activities such as cooking and taking baths also increase humidity levels, so expect more if you have a big family.

Condensation forms from breathing too, which is why bedroom windows tend to suffer from recessive moisture.

Why is it an issue?

Apart from the difficulty in seeing out of your windows in the morning, is it such a problem having condensation on your windows? Unfortunately, it is.

If not dealt with, excessive moisture can lead to black mould growth and staining. In extreme cases, mould can penetrate walls and get into cavities in a house and cause structural damage.

And it’s not just your property you should be worried about, it can cause respiratory problems. According to the NHS website:

Moulds produce allergens (substances that can cause an allergic reaction), irritants and, sometimes, toxic substances. Inhaling or touching mould spores may cause an allergic reaction, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and skin rash. Moulds can also cause asthma attacks.

Plenty of ventilation

Modern homes have been constructed to be as efficient as possible and stop heat from escaping. We are also told to fit extras such as draught excluders to help keep our homes warm. Unfortunately, this stops air from circulating properly. Keeping your windows open as much as possible will help to counteract this.

But this isn’t an ideal solution. Although it’s sure to make a difference, opening windows every day during the winter will make our homes incredibly home. It may help to get rid of any condensation problems but is sure to increase your heating bill.

If you have trickle vents, then you could leave these open. Unfortunately, they won’t make much of a difference compared to open windows, but they won’t lose quite so much heat.

Purchase a dehumidifier

This clever piece of kit operates by sucking all excess moisture out of the air, which should drastically reduce condensation.

There are lots to choose from, with some suitable for smaller areas and others made to cover the whole of a home. Just plug it into the mains and watch it go (you don’t actually have to watch). Another positive is that they create heat, making your home warmer and some have settings to help dry your clothes.

Although this seems like a perfect solution, there are a few things you need to take note of:

• You will need to pay over £100 for a decent model
• Dehumidifiers consume a fair amount of electricity and they can seriously damage your monthly electricity bill.
• They can be quite noisy. Because of this, you probably won’t want one running outside your bedroom all night.
• The water collected goes into a container stored in the dehumidifier. If you have a home with high humidity, the container can fill quite quickly and the dehumidifier will turn off.

The dehumidifier I have running in my home is the Meaco Portable Compact DD8L. It’s quite light and I can easily move it from upstairs to downstairs. It’s not as quiet as I would like, but can leave it running at night as long as it isn’t directly outside of my bedroom. It has a capacity of 8 litres which I have to change every 24 hours or so.

Moisture absorber

If your condensation problem doesn’t really warrant a dehumidifier or your budget won’t stretch that far, then a moisture absorber might be a better option.

These are around the size of a shoebox and can fit on your windowsill. Inside is a tablet that will absorb water. The water is collected in a reservoir at the bottom of the absorber, which will then need to be emptied. Each tablet should last around 6-8 weeks and they cost around £3-£4 each.

This is a much cheaper way to reduce moisture in the home but is only really suitable for one room. However, nothing is stopping you from having them dotted across your home. It might not be the most attractive thing to have sat next to your window, but it does the job.

This is the current model we use in one of our rooms.

Stop drying your clothes inside

Thanks to the lovely UK winter weather, it can prove difficult to find the right time to dry your clothes outside. However, if you opt for doing it inside, it will release a lot of moisture into the air and really hinder any attempt you make to remove condensation.

Let’s be honest though, drying outside isn’t always possible. If not, make sure your clothes are put on an extra spin cycle in the washing machine. Then, try to ensure that you dry your clothes in front of a bright window so they dry faster. And if possible, try to keep a window open.

Ideally, a tumble dryer will be your best option for drying clothes indoors. But you will need to fork out several hundred pounds, and they can be quite expensive to run.