When warm, moist air comes into contact with cold window glass, water droplets form on the window's surface. Plastic film stops the formation of condensation on the interior of your window glass by creating a barrier between the air and the glass.
Window film won't block condensation on your windows. Since condensation is caused by air moisture and temperature differences between the glass and your rooms, more effective solutions include decreasing humidity, installing weatherstripping, and others.
Ultimately, as the temperature of your property drops, the more energy you will use to keep your home warm. Putting cling film on single glazed windows does in fact help to reduce energy loss. By providing a second barrier to heat transfer, it creates a very basic – and inexpensive – 'double glazing' system.
To help with clearing the condensation away, you can make a simple, home-made solution by mixing two cups of water with two cups of white vinegar and a couple drops of washing up liquid. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle if you have one and spray the solution straight onto your window.
Open the windows
Keeping your window slightly open through the night will release warm, damp air from your home and give you a good chance of getting rid of condensation on windows. Use trickle vents and lock features to keep your window secure while allowing air to circulate the room.
Interior window condensation is caused by excessive moisture in the house, and it often occurs in the winter when the warm air inside the house condenses on the cold windows. Condensation between windowpanes occurs when the seal between the panes is broken or when the desiccant inside the windows is saturated.
Removing condensation
For example, excess water can cause window seals to warp and loosen, while the excess damp can lead to mould and respiratory problems. Make a habit of removing window condensation first thing every morning — when it's at its worst.
One final, effective way to reduce condensation on old or single pane windows is to replace them. Double and triple glazed windows sandwich pockets of heat reflective gas between the panes of glass. This provides an extra layer of insulation, keeping the cold external air away from the warm air inside your house.
How do I get rid of condensation? To get rid of the moisture that's already accumulated, there is a simple home-made cleaning solution you can use. Just combine two cups of water with two cups of white vinegar and a few drops of washing up liquid, ideally in a spray bottle.
If you can successfully fit an airtight layer of cling film over a single glazed window then it will trap a layer of air which can reduce heat loss and make your house warmer.
When you're dealing with old, drafty windows, you essentially have two options: replace them or seal them with insulating window film—a.k.a. plastic wrap. This kit by 3M—a leader in consumer products—insulates up to five windows, and the company claims it lowers heating costs and saves energy.
As condensation only tends to form on surfaces that are cooler compared to the surrounding air, double glazing can greatly help reduce it by allowing the inner glass of your windows to retain heat. So, yes, double glazing can indeed be a very effective way to stop condensation.
Single glazed windows will inevitably cause condensation over the colder months as the glass cannot warm up. Replacing single glazing with double or triple glazing will give the window an internal layer of glass, insulated from the temperatures outside, which can warm up with your room and reduce condensation.
Dehumidifiers alone can reduce condensation, but they won't stop it. In order to avoid condensation, a dehumidifier must operate in harmony with adequate indoor ventilation and sufficient air exchange with the outdoors.
Keep the thermostat at the same temperature in every room, and if there's a room in your home that you don't use often, keep the door closed. You should also try to open the windows in that room for a couple of hours each day to prevent condensation and damp from forming.
Just keeping your window open for a short amount of time each day can significantly reduce indoor pollution and bring fresh air inside to dilute any toxins. In winter, especially, air can become old and stale quickly, so you'll want to keep things fresh and clean.
Blinds can't cause condensation due to the fact they do not produce moisture or heat.
Increasing the temperature in your room, particularly overnight and in the winter, will prevent the build-up of condensation on your windows and walls. This is because condensation occurs when water condenses on a cold surface.
Keeping your property at a constant (and reasonably warm) temperature will reduce the number of cold surfaces and make it harder for condensation to form. Use an extractor fan or open the bathroom window when getting a shower or bath to remove moisture-rich air and prevent water vapour from circulating.
Window film isn't the only step you can take to add extra insulation to old single pane windows. If you notice any drafts coming in around the edge of the frame, you can also attach window insulation tape. This is a padded, foam-like tape that will absorb stray gusts that squeak through between the glass and the frame.
Because clingfilm is a good insulator, this charge persists for quite a while. When you wrap the clingfilm around itself or another insulator (like glass) the electrostatic charge induces an opposite charge in the other surface and the two stick together.
No, plastic wrap does not have very many qualities that make it an excellent insulator. It may slightly assist in heat retention, but aluminum foil is a better insulator. Two layers of plastic wrap with air in between are the best way to use plastic wrap as an insulator if necessary.