Had pretty much the exact same adventure last year—first winter in my own place and I was convinced my windows were haunted or something. Went out, bought hedge clippers, trimmed the shrubs way back (neighbors probably thought I'd lost it), but nope... still woke up to icy windows. Then my dad came over, took one look up, and just shook his head. Turns out my gutters were packed solid with leaves and some mystery gunk. Quick step-by-step: ladder out, gloves on, scoop out said mystery gunk (gross), hose down gutters, and boom—problem solved. Haven't had icy windows since. Definitely check your gutters first before you go full Ghostbusters or drop cash on new windows.
"Definitely check your gutters first before you go full Ghostbusters or drop cash on new windows."
Good call on the gutters, but also check your indoor humidity levels. Had similar icing issues—turned out my humidity was way too high. Got a cheap hygrometer, adjusted ventilation, and problem solved.
Humidity's definitely a factor, but what about insulation? I had icing issues years back—humidity was fine, gutters clear—but turned out my insulation was shot. Ever checked yours recently?
Insulation could help, but have you considered airflow? I had decent insulation and humidity levels, yet still got ice buildup... turned out my curtains were trapping cold air against the glass. Maybe check if something similar's happening at your place?
Had a similar issue last winter—thought it was curtains too, but turned out the window seals were shot. Replaced those and no more ice. Might wanna double-check seals before messing with airflow stuff...
Yep, I second checking the seals first—just went through this myself. Thought my house was haunted by an ice-loving ghost until infrared showed cold spots around the frames. New seals were cheaper (and less spooky) than ghostbusters...
Had a similar issue last winter, and I was convinced it was the windows too. Turned out my humidity levels were way off—too high indoors, causing condensation and icing. Got a cheap hygrometer and adjusted my humidifier settings, problem solved. Might be worth checking your indoor humidity before diving into seal replacements or ghost hunting... Has anyone else noticed humidity playing a role in window icing?
Had a similar thing happen last year, and honestly I thought the guy who mentioned humidity was just grasping at straws. But then I borrowed one of those cheap hygrometers from my brother-in-law (who swears by gadgets for everything) and yeah... turns out my humidity was through the roof. Tweaked the humidifier settings a bit and things improved noticeably. Not saying it's always the answer, but it definitely made a difference for me. Worth a shot before you start pricing out new windows or calling an exorcist.
Had the same issue when we moved into our place last winter. Before you jump into window replacements, try a few quick fixes first. Grab a cheap hygrometer (like the OP mentioned), and if humidity's high, dial back any humidifiers or use exhaust fans more often—especially during showers or cooking. Also, check your window seals and weather stripping; sometimes just adding fresh caulk or insulation strips can make a noticeable difference. Saved me from spending big bucks on new windows...and no ghosts required.
Definitely agree on checking humidity first, but have you looked into how well your storm windows (if you have them) are fitting? Sometimes they shift over time and leave tiny gaps that let cold air sneak in. Had a similar mystery icing issue at my sister's place—turned out the storms weren't seated properly. Quick adjustment, and problem solved...no ghosts or pricey replacements needed. Might be worth a quick look before diving into bigger fixes?