Window Installation

Energy Efficiency

Riverdale's vinyl replacement-windows technologically advanced design makes your window system one of the most thermally efficient available. They are a major factor in making your home more economical to both heat and cool and more comfortable too.

Because your windows are designed to prevent heated or cooled air from escaping, they also prevent moisture from escaping. In some cases, that can lead to humidity buildup.

The most visible warning sign of excessive humidity is the buildup of water vapor, or condensation on windows. When moisture comes in contact with cooler window surfaces, the result is condensation. Too much condensation is potentially damaging to woodwork, wallpaper and plaster.

This inconvenience is easily remedied. You need not sacrifice comfort and economy for a humidity-free home. Read the following sections on the effects of humidity and controlling humidity in your home.

The Greenhouse Effect in Your Home

Today's energy-efficient homes are "tighter" than ever before. Moisture-trapping building materials and vaporseal wall insulation combine to keep moisture inside, where it can condense and cause fogging on window surfaces and dampness on other interior surfaces.

The type of soil and quality of drainage in your area may also add to the amount of moisture in your home. And a house with no basement has additional moisture problems.

In fact, anything which gives off moisture will contribute to excessive humidity. This is especially evident in lifestyle changes (an increase in washing and showering, a growing reliance on more appliances) that have elevated water-vapor levels in today's homes. Here is a list of some of the things that add excess moisture to the air:

1. Inadequate ventilation in cooking areas
2. Portable kerosene heaters
3. Damp basements
4. Drying laundry inside the house
5. Longer, more frequent showers
6. Humidifiers and water pans on radiators or wood stoves
7. A large number of plants

There are many other causes of excess moisture in the home, including human occupancy. Studies have shown that a family of four can easily release more than 18 gallons of moisture per week into household air.

The Effects of High Humidity

We can readily see condensation and its effects on woodwork, wallpaper and plaster Less visible evidence of high humidity may make even greater damage. Here's how:

Because outside air is usually drier than the air in your home, the moist air is compelled to flow towards the drier air outside. This flow creates vapor pressure, a relentless force that can push moisture through wood, plaster, brick, cement-most any material used to build homes. It can even force humidity through siding to form blisters under exterior paint.

Still, a certain level of indoor humidity is necessary for health reasons. To find the acceptable level of humidity for your home, first check your windows. If there is a little winter time buildup of fog or frost on the lower corners of your windows, your humidity level is within the proper range.

You can also test the humidity of your home with an instrument called a psychrometer. It will enable you to gauge the maximum humidity level recommended at certain outdoor and indoor temperature. As a rule, the higher the indoor temperature, the lower the humidity required.

You'll almost always get some condensation at the beginning of each heating season, because during the summer you house absorbs some moisture. This should correct itself after the first few weeks of cold weather. If humidity problems persist, consider taking a few of the steps described on the next page.

What Can You Do To Reduce Humidity

There are several simple steps you can take to control household humidity and thus reduce condensation problems. We recommend you consider the following procedures:

1. Switch off all household humidifiers, including the furnace humidifier, until condensation subsides. Remove water pans from radiators and wood stoves.
2. Air out your entire house for a few minutes each day. The amount of heat loss is surprisingly small.
3. Run exhaust fans in kitchen, laundry and bathroom areas during use.
4. Open the fireplace damper.
5. Waterproof basement floors and walls. Be sure attic and basement crawl-space louvers remain open.
6. Use portable heaters sparingly.
7. Move large numbers of plants to a sun room or seldom-used room during cold weather.
8. Use a dehumidifier

If the simple steps described above don't solve your humidity problems, ask your heating contractor about installing an outside air vent for your furnace. You may also want to install additional (or larger) ventilation fans throughout the house.

Remember your new windows do not cause condensation, but excessive humidity levels can. If condensation didn't form on your old windows, it's because warm moist air inside your house was escaping to the outside. And that meant you had an even bigger problem; uncontrolled heat loss.

The reasons for excessive window condensation and humidity can be complicated, involving everything from your heating system and type of insulation to vapor barriers and the type of vents and fans in your home. Consult a qualified expert for an accurate diagnosis of your specific humidity problem. You can't afford to let excessive humidity go unchecked.