Why Is There Ice on My Window?
/Let's be honest. Minnesota winters don't have the greatest reputation. They're long, cold, and dry, which means we become cold and dry. In fact, much of the season is spent with us obsessively applying lotion on hands and running humidifiers in almost every room of the home.
As you know, Steve and I are in the window business. That means all day—every day—we have the honor of helping customers solve their window issues and answer their questions. One common question we often receive during the winter months is why ice and frost forms on windows.
And we're not talking about ice forming on the outside—you know where it's snowing. We're talking about frost on the inside of double pane windows.
You've probably seen this happen to your windows, too, and thought, "Oh no! My windows are ruined!" But now is not the time to panic. In fact, this is so common during the freezing times of the year, and the reason might surprise you!
And just to help you feel like you're not alone, check out this picture of our home's window. It's covered in ice, and there are puddles of water on the woodwork.
The window is not two feet away from our bed. So, for me, just when I was starting to feel under control and like things were moving along as they should…this happened.
The window looks like crap. So, as if on impulse, I grabbed a towel and began whipping it down and then…. BLACK MOLD.
I tell you this not as a tale of “The shoekeepers kids don’t have shoes that fit” or “the dentist's kids have rotting teeth.”
I tell you this is a tale simply because we (that means all of us) are people and things happen if we aren’t careful.
There is nothing wrong with the windows. And there is no one to blame but myself.
I know the following things to be true, and they are true for EVERYBODY. New windows or old. Responsible adults or adults that let things slide, the following facts still hold true today
Humidity is water that lives in the air.
Humidity is part of life, and we create it by showering, cooking, and even breathing.
Extra humidity comes from many different household items, such as fish tanks, remodeling projects, indoor plants, and, of course, humidifiers.
Humidity will escape your house wherever it can (e.g., exhaust fans, open windows, open doors, and even old drafty windows).
When it cannot escape, however, it will attach itself to the coldest place it finds.
Glass is cold, and windows are made of glass.
The coldest windows are those with a metal spacer in between them. Because metal is a conductor, it grabs that cold outside temp and hangs on to it while transferring it to the internal window glass in your house.
When the window blinds stay down, and the curtains stay closed, the cold air circulates between the closed curtain, and the glass never warms up and ultimately gets colder.
Cold water turns to ice.
So, there you have it!
In a previous article, we talked about why we get condensation on windows, and guess what…the culprit is still the same! Inside humidity.
But there is good news? You can get to work right away and rid your windows of extra moisture.
Here's how I like to tackle ice or frost on windows
Run the bathroom exhaust fan a bit longer than usual.
Open all the blinds in the house every day.
Visit all the windows in the house—even the ones we usually ignore—to check for moisture.
Wipe up any moisture or mold that is discovered.
That really is it.
In addition to wiping off that extra moisture (especially if the windows are wood because mold is gross), move the humidifier to a different spot, and maybe run it less.
If that doesn’t solve the problem, check out our guide to reducing indoor humidity in the home to discover more great tips. As with anything, try different things until you find the right solution for your home.
You’ve got this. I promise!
Also, in case your windows actually are old and fogged up and too drafty for their own good, you might want an estimate. To get started you can either call us at 612-866-2888 or schedule a consultation online today!
Love,
Steve the Window Guy
