Window Condensation

PipeGuy

As the weather cools I begin to get modest amounts of condensation on the inside of my circa 1967 storm windows. I don't have any humidifiers and the condensation appears wthout regard to the weather. Do I need to be concerned with trying to eliminate the condensation or otherwise discovering it's source? I have gas fired forced air heat and my bathrooms are well/properly ventilated. Very small amounts of what I'm guessing is mold seems to have formed (at some time or another) on the sill between the double hung window and the storm window. Thoughts?

Kevin

Therein lies your problem.

skippy

Condensation is normal. Your old windows are not your full problem. You can get new efficient windows and you'll have the same problem. I bet this is happening to you most often in the morning when you get up..the windows have condensation on them. This is because you lower your furnace and night and all the people who are in bed sleeping are exhaling and raising the humidity it the house. Also warm air hitting a cooler window will cause condensation. I don't think a dehumidifier will help you UNLESS you keep your house temp around 72 or higher. Those so called "basement dehumidifiers" that claim to work down to 40F do not work at those temps. Your dehumid coil will frost up if you don't keep the temp around 70ish. The condensation is due to humidity. Most if not all window companies do not claim to stop condensation. That'll never happen. Go to some of their website and read, you'll see. You can wipe your windows down with a towel or paper towels in the morning and they should dry out and remain that way most of the day except if you raise the humditiy by showering, cooking etc. There is no way around it. As for the mold or mildew, use a mixture of bleach and water and wipe or spray those areas and wipe it off. If you get new windows you'll still get condensation. Live with it. Check out this information from a very well known replacement window manufacturer:

h t t p://w w w.wallsidewindows.com/hdesk_condensation.html
(remove the spaces)

You'll find similar information at other replacement and new window manufacturers. I had old windows and storms like you had. I had new replacement windows installed. I still get condensation. Its not as bad but I still get it..Its a fact of life...its the DEW point!

PipeGuy

You're right on about when I see the condensation the mlost. Since wiping it with a towel requires opening the double hung window, it's not something I'm likely to do on winter mornings. Also, the condensation persists longest on the north side of the house. The east and south side windows usually dry up pretty quickly.

Grumpy

This was probably a question for the window forum, not hvac Replace your windows with something that is dual paned and has argon gas insulation.

I have a circa 1958 condominium with 2 exterior doors. I replaced all the windows but not the doors. I have condensation on my door lights daily in the winter but haven't had any on my windows since I replaced them.

PipeGuy

It's funny you should say that. I typed the post in that forum and then decided to post it here. I thought that maybe the humidity issue made it a climate control question. I didn't want to double post. Thanks for setting me straight.

GMW

Installing new High Performance windows will help, but don't forget that the moisture that appears on your storm windows came from the house. Condensation forms from moist air coming in contact with a cold surface. So there may be too much moisture in the air. Condensation can still occur on new windows if there is too much moisture in the air.