- Tried the hallway trick too, but my hallway echoes like crazy... wasn't much better than having it in the room, lol.
- Those plastic kits surprised me as well—cheap and effective, who knew?
- One thing I noticed: cracking a window open just a tiny bit overnight helps balance humidity without freezing the place out. Might sound counterintuitive, but it's worked for me.
- Still debating whether to upgrade to a quieter dehumidifier or just stick with the cheap hacks for now... decisions, decisions.
"Still debating whether to upgrade to a quieter dehumidifier or just stick with the cheap hacks for now... decisions, decisions."
If noise is your main issue, you might consider placing your current dehumidifier on a rubber mat or foam pad—helps dampen vibrations significantly without needing an immediate upgrade.
I went through something similar last winter—my old dehumidifier sounded like a small airplane taking off. Tried the foam pad trick, and it definitely helped reduce vibrations, but the fan noise itself was still noticeable. Eventually, I bit the bullet and upgraded to a quieter model. Honestly, the difference was night and day. If you're sensitive to noise, the upgrade might be worth it in the long run... but the foam pad is a solid temporary fix if you're still on the fence.
I had a similar issue when I moved into my first place last year. My dehumidifier wasn't exactly airplane-level loud, but it had this annoying hum that drove me nuts at night. I tried the foam pad trick too—definitely helped with vibrations, but didn't solve the humming completely. Ended up doing some research and found out cleaning the fan blades and tightening screws can sometimes help reduce noise. It improved things a bit, but I'm still debating if upgrading is worth it...
Honestly, upgrading might not be the magic fix you're hoping for. I swapped mine out last summer thinking it'd solve everything, but the new one still hums a bit. Maybe try repositioning it or running it during the day instead?
Yeah, totally get where you're coming from. Upgrading windows can help with fogging issues sometimes, but it's rarely a guaranteed fix for every problem. Did you check if the new window has proper insulation around the frame? I've noticed that even a tiny gap or poor sealing job can lead to condensation building up, especially during cold snaps.
Another thing to consider is your indoor humidity levels. Have you measured that at all? Even brand-new, high-quality windows will fog up if the humidity inside your home is too high. Last winter, I had a client who spent a fortune replacing their windows only to find out later their humidifier was running way too often. Once they adjusted that, the fogging cleared up dramatically.
Also curious—did you notice if the humming started immediately after installation, or did it gradually appear over time? Sometimes vibration or humming noises come from improper installation or hardware that's not tightened correctly. A minor adjustment or even adding some padding between moving parts can make a surprising difference.
Repositioning could help too, like you mentioned. But I'm wondering if you've tried checking the window's drainage channels? Sometimes those little weep holes get clogged with dirt or debris, causing moisture buildup and increased condensation on the glass.
You're definitely right—it's usually not as simple as just swapping out old for new. Windows are part of a larger system involving ventilation, humidity control, and proper installation techniques. If you're still seeing fogging after trying these steps, it might be worth having someone double-check the install itself...sometimes installers rush things or overlook small details (unfortunately).
Either way, good luck sorting this out—window issues can definitely be frustrating to track down!
"Another thing to consider is your indoor humidity levels. Have you measured that at all?"
This right here is spot on. It's crazy how many times I've seen folks drop serious cash on new windows, only to realize later their home's humidity was the real culprit. A hygrometer is a cheap investment and can save you a ton of headaches down the road. I usually recommend keeping indoor humidity around 30-40% in colder months—really helps cut down on condensation.
Also, about that humming noise you mentioned... if it's not hardware or installation-related, sometimes it's just the window interacting with wind pressure, especially if it's a larger pane. Adding some weatherstripping or even minor adjustments to the frame can fix it surprisingly easily.
Oh, and don't overlook curtains or blinds either. Keeping them open during the day lets air circulate better, which helps with fogging. Had a customer last year who swore by cracking the window just a tiny bit for a few minutes each morning—even in winter. Sounds counterintuitive, but it worked wonders for him... might be worth a shot if nothing else pans out.
Glad you finally got it sorted! I went through this last winter, thought my windows were junk until I realized my humidity was at almost 60%... yikes. Dropping it down made a world of difference. Good call on the hygrometer suggestion.
Good to hear lowering humidity worked out for you, but honestly, I found that keeping mine too low made things uncomfortable—dry skin, static shocks everywhere, the works. I ended up striking a balance around 40-45%, and that seemed to keep fogging minimal without turning my house into a desert. Might depend on your climate though... winters here can be brutal. Glad you mentioned the hygrometer though, it's definitely handy to keep an eye on things.
Yeah, I totally get what you're saying about the static shocks and dry skin—been there myself. Last winter, I tried dropping humidity way down to around 30% to tackle the fogging issue, and it was honestly miserable. My hands were cracking, and every time I touched a doorknob, zap! Eventually, I settled around 40-45% too, and it made a huge difference. Still had to wipe down the windows occasionally, but nothing like before. Do you think the type of windows matters much? Mine are pretty old, and I've wondered if upgrading them would help with condensation without having to mess with humidity levels so much...