I was looking at a house today (to purchase) but noticed that even though the living room window in the front of the house is double-pane, there is a lot of condensation on the inside of the window.

What could be the cause? Room temperature was average, and outdoor temperature was average... The house is vacant, so the cause can't be cooking/boiling water, etc.

I'm now wondering if I should offer a certain amount less than asking price, to cover the cost of replacing the windows......or maybe it's not a big deal?

I'm just wondering what the cause could be... (One time in the past when I was going through the house, the fan in the bathroom was on. (It has a humidifier/thermostat control (not sure what it's called) that turns the fan on automatically when it is humid.)

I'm just finding it odd, since no one lives there. The place is empty........ Also, it is only 12 years old.

Thanks for any input.

Marie

 

Too high humidity can cause condensation on interior glass. When warm, moist air contacts cold window surface it condenses on the surface. Condensation between the double glass panes is an indication that the seals in the windows are bad.

In an unoccupied home where heat is reduced this time of year, humidity levels would likely be higher because air is not being conditioned as it should. Moisture in basement or crawl space can also contribute to higher humidity levels in the home. Lack of adequate ventilation in attic can, too. Absent or malfunctioning dehumidifier on HVAC system could be a problem in homes where humidity is high.

If considering a new home purchase, an inspection by home inspector is a worthwhile investment. Contract can be written with contingencies based upon findings of the inspector.

 

Agree Low temp in home = high RH%