Construction Performance Guidelines
Article Number
Condition
CONDENSATION AND/OR FROST ON WINDOWS
Acceptable Performance/Condition
Condensation may occur on interior window surfaces and is not covered under warranty.
Warranty
None.
Action
None
Remarks
Condensation occurs when water vapour in indoor air comes in contact with cool surfaces such as window glass. Condensation on interior window surfaces is common during cold seasons. When outdoor temperatures are well below freezing, ice may form at the bottom of windows. Condensation is not water penetration.
It is important for homeowners to maintain proper humidity levels within the home. Condensation forming on windows is a common condition even when humidity levels are properly maintained. Damage caused by dampness or condensation due to failure by the homeowner to maintain adequate ventilation is excluded from the statutory warranty.
Interior air moving over the windows can help control condensation. Heavy draperies or window coverings that cover windows, and blocked heat diffusers, can prevent this from happening. Running the ventilation fan or your heat recovery (HRV) or energy recovery ventilator (ERV) and furnace fan continuously during winter months in conjunction with the principal exhaust fan (or running the HRV/ERV and furnace fan continuously where the HRV/ERV replaces the principal fan) can also help reduce condensation on windows.
Notes
This Article, as revised, applies to all conciliations after January 1, 2019.
See Also:
- 3.4 WINDOW GLASS AND/OR SCREEN IS DAMAGED
- 3.5 GLASS IS SCRATCHED 3.6 GLASS IS CRACKED
- 3.6 GLASS IS CRACKED
- 3.7 WINDOW UNIT LEAKS DURING RAIN
- 3.8 CONDENSATION FORMING BETWEEN INSULATING (FACTORY SEALED) GLASS UNIT
Appendices
See Appendix A3 “Moisture and Windows”.