You've got a good approach overall, but honestly, skipping the dehumidifier isn't always the best call. Window films and humidity control help, sure, but sometimes the real issue is airflow. I've seen plenty of houses where condensation sticks around because the air just isn't moving enough—especially in rooms that stay closed up all day. A small fan running on low near trouble windows can make a surprising difference by circulating warmer air across colder surfaces.
Also, about the north-facing windows...yeah, they're colder, but I've noticed east-facing windows can be just as bad at times, especially if they're shaded by trees or structures. So direction matters, but shading and airflow sometimes matter even more. Just something to keep in mind if you find condensation creeping back in.
"A small fan running on low near trouble windows can make a surprising difference by circulating warmer air across colder surfaces."
Totally agree with this! I was having the same foggy window struggle in my new place, especially in the spare bedroom that stays shut most of the day. Tried window films first, and they helped a bit, but it wasn't until I added a small desk fan that things really improved. It's funny how such a simple trick made such a noticeable difference.
And yeah, east-facing windows can definitely be sneaky culprits. My kitchen windows face east and are shaded by our neighbor's huge maple tree—beautiful in summer, but man, does it trap moisture in winter. I've found cracking the window open just a tiny bit for some fresh air circulation helps too, even if it's chilly outside. It seems counterintuitive at first (letting cold air in?), but somehow it balances out and keeps condensation down. Glad to know I'm not alone figuring this stuff out... home ownership is quite the learning curve!
Yeah, fans do make a difference, especially in rooms you don't use much. I had a similar issue with our guest room windows—always fogging up because the room stays closed most of the time. A small fan helped, but honestly, what really changed things for me was adding a humidity monitor and tweaking our home's humidity level. Turns out we were running way too humid without realizing it. Dropping it down just a bit made a huge difference.
And about cracking windows open... I get the logic, but personally I've found it can sometimes make things worse if it's super damp outside. Guess it depends on your local climate. For us, installing trickle vents on the frames was a better solution—lets in just enough air without making the room freezing cold or overly damp.
Home ownership definitely teaches you to get creative with these little battles... trial and error all the way, haha.
Totally agree about the humidity monitor—it's surprising how much difference a small adjustment can make. I had a client last winter who tried everything: fans, opening windows, even those moisture absorbers you put in closets. Nothing really worked until they got their attic insulation checked out. Turns out poor insulation was causing cold spots around the windows, making condensation worse. Once we beefed up the insulation, problem solved. Sometimes it's not just humidity but temperature differences too... homeownership really is one big puzzle sometimes, haha.
Good point about insulation, but did you check their window seals too? I've seen cases where insulation helps but doesn't fully fix condensation if the seals are worn. Could be worth a quick look...
Yeah, window seals can be sneaky. I replaced insulation last year thinking it'd solve everything, but nope—still had condensation. Turned out the seals were shot, especially on the north-facing windows. Quick fix with some weather stripping and silicone sealant did the trick. Definitely worth checking before winter really kicks in...
"Turned out the seals were shot, especially on the north-facing windows."
North-facing windows are always the sneaky culprits, aren't they? Had a similar issue a couple winters back—thought I was being clever by cranking up the heat and running a dehumidifier nonstop. Nope, just ended up with higher bills and still foggy windows. Finally checked the seals and yep, totally cracked and brittle. A quick weekend project with silicone sealant later, problem solved. Lesson learned: always suspect those innocent-looking window seals first...
"North-facing windows are always the sneaky culprits, aren't they?"
Funny you mention that—I swear half the calls I get about foggy windows end up being north-facing. Had one homeowner a couple years ago insisting it was some complicated HVAC issue or faulty insulation. Spent weeks troubleshooting everything under the sun...or snow, rather. Finally, we took a closer look at the window seals and, sure enough, cracked and crumbling like stale cookies. He wasn't thrilled about all the time we'd spent chasing ghosts, but at least the fix itself was straightforward enough.
Good call on tackling it yourself, by the way. A bit of silicone sealant and some patience usually does the trick. And hey, at least now you'll know exactly where to look first next winter. It's always satisfying when a frustrating problem turns out to have a simple solution—makes you feel like you've cracked some secret homeowner code or something.
"makes you feel like you've cracked some secret homeowner code or something."
Ha, yeah, it really does feel like that sometimes. Curious though, did you notice if the north-facing windows were older or cheaper models? I've found that even decent-quality windows on the north side tend to struggle more because they just never get enough sun to dry out properly. Learned that the hard way after replacing seals twice before realizing the window itself was the real weak link...
Interesting observation about the north-facing windows—I've had similar experiences myself. Even with higher-end models, condensation seems inevitable if the airflow isn't optimal. One thing that helped me was adjusting the interior humidity levels slightly downward during colder months. Have you experimented with humidity control at all, or do you think it's mostly down to window quality and orientation? Curious what others have found effective...