Especially in winter, condensation often forms on windows. In the morning, condensation forms on cold windows. This can happen not only in cold weather, but also after your shower or while cooking something in the kitchen. This condensation water is not a problem in small quantities. However, if the condensation persists or occurs regularly, it leads to the development of mold. It can also very likely cause damage to the window, the facade or the surrounding wall. Why this condensation: where does it come from? And what solutions to fix it?
How does condensation form?
The capacity of the air to absorb water vapor depends mainly on the respective temperature of each of the two forces present. The warmer the air, the more water vapor it can absorb. If this warm, moist air cools, it can no longer store the same amount of moisture. The result: excess water vapor is removed from the air and appears as water: condensation water.
Why is there condensation on your windows?
Condensation on the window is nothing more than moisture present in the ambient air in the form of invisible vapor. Warm air can absorb more moisture than cold air. If the warm air in the room cools at the window, the vapor condenses and precipitates as visible water on the window. It appears quickly, especially in cold seasons, when the temperature difference inside and outside is very high. For example, condensation also occurs in conservatories that are not professionally built, because there the temperature difference comes into play on a large glass surface. Condensation can appear more and more on old or defective windows. However, if you do not ventilate sufficiently, it is your behavior that is the cause of this condensation. As long as you make sure the condensation doesn’t accumulate in one place for too long, there’s no need to panic. In the following you will find out what else you can pay attention to in order to avoid condensation.
Where and how does condensation form on your window?
The window has three weak points where condensation can quickly form (because these are the exact places it is exposed to the cold outside): on the surface of the glass, on the window frame, between the frame and the window frame. The colder it is, the less water vapor the air can absorb. The higher the risk of condensation forming on the window. When the temperature drops sharply, the air can store less water and is quickly oversaturated. As soon as the air hits the window, it releases moisture into the window, as this is usually the coldest place. This is also the reason why more condensation water appears on the window, especially in winter. It is very cold outside and the humidity in the room is reflected in the cold windows.
The particular case of condensation due to a drying rack
In winter, it is better not to hang wet laundry: high humidity condenses in the coldest places. There is a risk of mold formation, as already explained.
Due to the high humidity, you also need more energy to heat the rooms. Because all the moisture in the air must be heated. This requires additional heating energy. Your heating system must therefore heat more to warm the rooms. And heating costs increase unnecessarily. If possible, use your garden, balcony or attic to hang laundry. A clothes dryer is also a great way to dry your laundry in the winter. The energy (electricity) required for the dryer is again saved due to the lower heating energy and there is no uncontrolled condensation. If this is not possible for you, you should definitely ventilate your room sufficiently! Condensation can form, especially in new buildings or with well-insulated facades and new windows, as these are designed to be particularly tight. Particular care must be taken to ensure that there is sufficient ventilation or that the air exchange is regulated by a ventilation system. In older buildings, however, cracks and joints automatically ensure sufficient air circulation. However, you also lose a lot of heat.
What can you do to prevent condensation?
There is a good method for eliminating condensation water: ventilation. Instead of leaving your windows closed for several hours, open at least one window completely for 10 to 15 minutes to ventilate your home several times a day. So-called cross ventilation is even better, i.e. opening the windows on opposite sides of the apartment or house – preferably just in the morning after you get up. The same goes after showering: when you’re done, open the window fully for 10-15 minutes. During ventilation, you must set your heating to zero. With intermittent ventilation, you completely exchange the air much faster, but the heat remains largely in the room because the walls do not cool. Leaving the windows open for a long time without drafts does not make much sense. In addition, the walls cool down.
Risk of mold formation by condensation
If condensation often forms on the windows without the room being ventilated, there is a risk of mold forming. Pay particular attention to this in the bathroom, as showering and bathing regularly create a lot of humidity. You must ventilate after each use!