how do I keep single glazed windows dry in winters?

Question

Windows get very wet from the inside. Cannot open the windows very often as heating is swithced on most of the time with a small baby in the house.

Answer 1

I would say go with a double glazed window. I know these are expensive at first, but they would pay for themselves in the long run due to energy savings. It would also help on this little problem as the inside pane of glass would not get as cold so as to cause condensation. If that is not an option, try a dehumidifier. It is amazing how much moisture they pull from the air. If you put it in an extra shower/sink you have in the house, it could drain into there and you would not have to empty it. This may not stop the problem, but if you have that much humidity in the winter it could help with you and your baby's health. One thing to try first, keep as many interior doors in the house/apartment open. Make sure the return filters are clean (the filters that lead to the AC unit). Part of the problem could be that you are just not getting enough circulation in the house. Make sure to maximize the circulation, have a few fans running and the demudifier, and it should help some. No guarantees though, if it is warm inside and cold out with a single pane of glass you can always get condensation.

Answer 2

They only get "wet" from condensation in your house. Air the house more with windows etc even in winter. An average person expels about a pint of water a night sleeping! it has to go somewhere. Bathrooms and Kitchens produce the most moist air so keep them well ventilated and try to keep their doors closed from other rooms in the house should help.

Answer 3

It is the humidity in the interior air which condenses on the cooler glass surface. You could dehumidify the inside air, but deghumidification makes your skin dry and scaly.

Although it is not the perfect solution, I have had success using Rain-X (auto windshield protectant). It contains a surface active agent (surfactant) which encourages condensation to "sheet."

Otherwise train a low speed fan on the problem window so that the condensate will evaporate. Of course the evaporated condensate will increase the humidity of the inside air and cause further condensation, but not on the window being blown.

Answer 4

The only way to completely stop it is to have the inside rooms completely without moisture. (Condensation is formed when the air on one side is warmer than the air on the other side). Keeping the amount of steam from showers, dishwashers, washer/dryer, down by ventilating those rooms outside will reduce the humidity in the house. Remember that people create moisture (sweat, breathing) too. Even things like dog dishes, household plants, hanging laundry to dry -- all add small amounts of moisture to the air. The negative -- dry air is harder to heat, so your heat bills will go up. Dry air causes dry skin and hair - so be prepared for the frizzies, chapped lips and itchy skin.

Answer 5

Valid answers here, and I'll add a suggestion.

If you were to more closely equalize the temps, you'd notice it less. That might mean tolerating a lower indoor temp. but that seems unlikely.

Warming at a higher temp is a waste of resources, as might be dehumidifying. Certainly you aren't alone on the planet having this minor problem.

Rev. Steven

Answer 6

You'll have to increase ventilation while at the same time maintaining temperature. Water vapour [even from your own breath] will simply condense on the coolest surface, so simply moving the problem from your windows to somewhere else won't get rid of the problem.

Answer 7

two ways use a dehumidifier or goto the DIY store and you can buy a plastic you put on the inside using a hair drier to make a secondary glazing

Answer 8

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Answer 9

You can try a dehumidifier. It's just a fact of single glazing. We replaced ours with double glazing. Much better.

Answer 10

you can get a small sliding air vent put in the top of window frame that you can open and wont loose that much heat or cause a draft