Double-pane windows have quickly gained popularity in the market due to their unique qualities. Compared to ordinary windows made of fragile glass, they have many advanced features: energy efficiency, noise insulation, resistance to damage, etc. These qualities are essential for people who live in noisy cities and cold regions. The remain sales leaders even despite their cost, which is above average.
So, the owners of such windows feel frustrated when they discover fogged-up panes. Should they contact the manufacturer or installer right away? Or could the reason be improper use? Let’s look at what can cause double pane fogging and how to avoid this situation.
The Double Side of Energy-efficient Windows
Double- and triple-glazed windows reduce heat loss, descreasing the heating bills as a consequence of this. However, this advantage can turn into a downside if the windows are not operated correctly. In the cold season, people open windows less often and do not ventilate the room as often as in the warm season. Often, the reason for this is the fear of catching a cold or the reluctance to let the heat out of the house. But this can cause moist steam to accumulate in the air, which causes the windows to fog up.
If you open the windows for a short time for ventilation, you let out warm and moist air and let in dry and cold air. And such air heats up faster than the wet one. Therefore, the simplest prevention of fogging of double-glazed windows is regular ventilation of the room.
Alternative Ways to Prevent Condensation in the Cold Season
There are several other effective ways to prevent window fogging:
- If you don’t have an exhaust fan in the room but it is technically possible to install one, do it. It will be an excellent way to protect the room from fungus and mold, which can quickly spread in rooms with high humidity.
- Slightly reduce the heating in the house until the condensation disappears. The cause of moisture on the glass is the difference in outside and inside temperatures. If you lower the temperature in the house by just several degrees, this can solve the problem.
- Do not hang curtains, especially heavy ones, too close to the window. Let the distance between them and the surface of the windows be at least 15-20 cm. This will allow the air to circulate more easily, and therefore reduce the likelihood of moisture forming on the windows.
- If you dry wet clothes in the room after washing, you will have to give up this habit. Consider other ways to dry clothes.
- Inspect the location of radiators or other heating devices in your room. Builders place them under windows to increase the temperature on the surface of the windows. If the radiators were moved to another place during the house renovation, additional heating devices should be installed under the windows.
- Dehumidifiers are also an effective way to remove excess moisture from a room. They are often used to combat the spread of mold in a room, so you will find a large selection of different models on the market.
Fogging Due to Damage to the Seal of the Double Pane
The most unpleasant discovery window owner can realize is that the double pane fogs up from the inside. This means the seal of the double pane has been damaged mechanically. It is impossible to fix this problem on your own because the moisture absorber, which is hermetically sealed inside the double pane, stops performing its functions. Such problems, as in the case of a leaking window frame, require the help of professionals.
In many cases, the only solution to a leak is to replace the double-glazed window. If you do not replace it, moisture will accumulate between the panes with each new cold season. Moreover, dust and dirt particles will penetrate the space between the panes. This means that when the moisture droplets between the panes evaporate in warm weather, they will leave dirty marks on the surface.
Window Depressurization and Manufacturer’s Warranties
Investing in double-glazed windows is beneficial because they have a very long warranty period. If these are high-quality windows, you can find options with a warranty service of 10 years or even more. Therefore, if you find fogging of the glass due to depressurization, contact the manufacturer. But remember that a free warranty replacement of the double-glazed window is possible only if you have complied with all the requirements for their operation. If the damage occurs due to the fault of the owner, the company will refuse to replace the double-glazed window free of charge.
Correct Window Selection and Operation to Avoid Fogging Problems
If you are planning to renovate your home and replace windows, think about this potential problem with fogging from the beginning. Often, the cause of condensation is the wrong type of window. If residents want to install new windows and save money, they can choose the construction of a window not suitable for the climate zone of their region. In this case, the surface of the windows cools down too much during the cold season, which leads to condensation.
Also, note that windows have a summer and winter mode of operation. This option is provided for energy saving and to avoid the problem of fogging. Therefore, before the start of the cold season, switch your windows to winter mode. If you have a problem with condensation, it may have arisen precisely because you use the summer mode all year round.
The Bottom Line
High humidity in the room and lack of ventilation are the most common reasons for condensation on windows. First of all, start regularly ventilating the room and find the source of high humidity. Perhaps fumes from the kitchen or bathroom penetrate your room, or someone uses vaporizers, hookahs, or vapes. Review your habits and household organization. In most cases, this will help avoid fogging of the glass. If moisture accumulates inside the double pane window, the reason is the depressurization of the glass unit. In this case, it is worth replacing the glass unit to look at the world around you through clean and clear windows.
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