Interesting points, especially about the ducting—I agree that's often overlooked. But honestly, from my experience, sometimes even the best fan setup won't fully solve foggy windows if your windows themselves aren't up to par. I spent years tweaking ventilation, fans, and humidity levels, but still had condensation issues every winter. Finally bit the bullet and upgraded to double-pane insulated windows, and it was like night and day. No more waking up to dripping windows or constantly wiping down sills.
Not saying ventilation isn't important—it definitely is—but sometimes the root of the problem is the window itself. Older single-pane or poorly sealed windows just can't handle temperature differences well, no matter how good your fan is. If you're still seeing fogging after upgrading your fan, might be worth checking out your window seals or considering insulated glass. It's a bigger upfront cost, sure, but the comfort and energy savings have been totally worth it for me.
Also, just a quick note on noise levels: I went with a mid-range fan rated around 1.5 sones, and honestly, it's quiet enough that I barely notice it. I think sometimes we get caught up chasing ultra-quiet models when a little ambient noise isn't necessarily a bad thing—especially if it means better airflow. Just my two cents...
Good points about the windows, but honestly, I think sometimes people jump too quickly to expensive upgrades. I had similar fogging issues and was convinced I'd need new windows too, but before dropping thousands on replacements, I decided to try window film insulation kits. You know, those cheap plastic shrink-wrap things you apply with a hairdryer? I was skeptical at first (they look kinda flimsy), but surprisingly, they made a huge difference. Condensation dropped dramatically, and the rooms felt warmer overall.
Not saying insulated windows aren't worth it—they definitely have their perks—but sometimes simpler solutions can get you most of the way there without breaking the bank. Plus, if your humidity levels are still high, even double-pane windows can fog up occasionally. Might be worth experimenting with cheaper fixes first before committing to a big investment...just my experience though.
Glad you mentioned the window film kits—I had a similar experience last winter. Initially, I thought they looked a bit flimsy too, but figured it was worth a shot before investing in new windows. Surprisingly, they held up really well and noticeably reduced condensation. I also found that pairing them with a small dehumidifier in the worst rooms helped even more. You're right about humidity levels—no matter how good your windows are, if there's excess moisture indoors, you'll still see some fogging.
I do think insulated windows have their place, especially if you're dealing with older single-pane glass or drafts, but it's always smart to try simpler, budget-friendly solutions first. Sometimes the simplest fixes end up being the most effective. Glad you found something that worked without breaking the bank...it's always satisfying when a low-cost solution does the trick.
"Sometimes the simplest fixes end up being the most effective."
Couldn't agree more—window film surprised me too. One thing I'd add is checking your exhaust fans, especially in bathrooms and kitchens. I found mine were clogged with dust and barely moving air...cleaning them out made a noticeable difference in humidity levels. Also curious, did anyone try those moisture absorbers (the ones with crystals)? Heard mixed reviews, wondering if they're worth a shot.
I tried those crystal moisture absorbers last winter...honestly, wasn't too impressed. They filled up fast but didn't seem to make a noticeable dent in humidity. Ended up just sticking with better ventilation and cracking windows occasionally—worked better for me.
Yeah, I had pretty similar results with those crystal absorbers. They're okay for small spaces like closets or cabinets, but for an entire room or house, they just can't keep up. Ventilation is definitely key—cracking windows occasionally helps a lot, especially if you can create a cross-breeze. Another thing I've found helpful is checking your exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom. Sometimes they're clogged with dust or lint, and cleaning them out can really boost their efficiency. Also, if you're dealing with persistent humidity, it might be worth looking into your insulation situation. Poor insulation or drafts around windows can cause condensation to build up faster than you'd expect. Have you checked around your window frames for any gaps or leaks? Sealing those up can make a noticeable difference too...just something else to consider.
Good call on the exhaust fans—mine were pretty clogged up last winter, and cleaning them out made a noticeable difference. Have you tried weatherstripping around your windows yet? I had some sneaky drafts around mine that I didn't even realize were there until I checked closely. Sealing those gaps definitely helped cut down on condensation.
Also, totally agree about ventilation. Even just cracking the window slightly for a few minutes each day seems to help more than you'd think. Crystal absorbers never did much for me either, except in really small spaces. Sounds like you're already on the right track though...humidity can be stubborn, but once you pinpoint the main issue, things get better fast. Did you end up checking your insulation?
Weatherstripping was a game changer for me too. I didn't realize how much air was sneaking in until I did the candle test around my windows—just light a candle and move it slowly along the edges, watching for flickering. It pinpointed exactly where the drafts were coming from. Insulation-wise, I checked mine after reading a bunch of forum posts here and found some thin spots in the attic...patching those up helped even more than expected with humidity and temperature control. Worth checking if you haven't yet.
"I didn't realize how much air was sneaking in until I did the candle test around my windows"
Yeah, that candle trick is surprisingly effective. I was pretty skeptical at first—seemed a bit too old-school—but it actually pinpointed drafts better than some gadgets I've tried. I tackled weatherstripping last winter, and while it definitely helped, I found insulation upgrades were the real MVP in my case. Never thought attic insulation would do much for humidity, but like you said, patching those thin spots made a noticeable difference. Still, I wouldn't discount weatherstripping entirely; it's cheap, easy, and every little bit helps, especially with energy bills these days. Glad it worked out for you—always good to hear when simple DIY fixes pay off.
Totally agree on the insulation front—made a huge difference for me too. But honestly, sealing up those sneaky window gaps was like night and day. I swear my windows were practically whistling before I fixed 'em...