(ARA) - Did you know that a family of four can generate up to 18 gallons of water in the form of humidity inside a home in a week? All that water stemming from cooking, showering, washing and drying clothes, and even breathing, has to go somewhere.

One of the more visible indicators of high humidity in a home is the windows. If your home contains excessive moisture and it's cold outside, the first place you'll see it is on your windows. This does not mean there's a problem with your windows, according to the Window & Door Manufacturers Association and manufacturer Peachtree Doors & Windows. The majority of window condensation simply indicates that your home needs increased ventilation to lower the amount of moisture in the air or you need to reduce the sources of the humidity.

"Older homes tend to have more cracks in their construction which allow natural air into the home and help reduce moisture," said Jeff Kibler, brand manager for Peachtree. "Newer homes, however, are much tighter and therefore trap moisture in. While helpful from an energy efficiency standpoint, this contributes to condensation and creates the potential for condensation on surfaces that are cooler than the dew point."

Humidity is generated by cooking food, running the dishwasher, filling the sink with hot water, showers, hot tubs, washers and indoor-vented dryers, basements and crawl spaces that channel dampness from the ground into the home, breathing and perspiration.

In addition to these perpetual sources of moisture, wood, plaster and other building materials in a new home absorb moisture during humid summers and gradually release it after the first few weeks of heating your home in the fall.

Is it Damaging my Windows?

Occasional beads of moisture on the glass after a hot shower or steaming food on the stove usually aren't a problem. However, if your windows are "sweating" without cause or for long periods of time, your windows could become damaged. Wood frames and sash can warp and become difficult to operate. Paint or other finishes may peel or become discolored. Other areas of the home could also be damaged, such as insulation, exterior siding and drywall.

What Can I Do?

"The best way to combat condensation on your windows is to decrease the amount of moisture in the air," Kibler said. "This may involve adding ventilation, eliminating sources of humidity or removing humidity from the air after it's been generated."

To lower the humidity in your home, you need to increase ventilation and decrease the sources of moisture.

* Run exhaust fans in the bathroom during a shower, or in the kitchen while cooking
* Take shorter showers and install water-restricting faucets - you'll lower your humidity and your water bill
* Use the microwave, slow cooker, or outdoor grill more frequently
* Check and reroute drainage away from your home to minimize the moisture in and around the basement and foundation
* Run a dehumidifier in basements and other damp areas
* Turn off your furnace humidifier or other home humidifier
* Open drapes and blinds to allow warm house air to circulate across the windows

Are All Windows Affected by Condensation?

Condensation will appear on any type of window, if a home has high humidity. Vinyl, wood or aluminum windows, regardless of manufacturer, will have some condensation if the air is humid.

One component in standard dual-pane glass, or insulated glass, can help minimize condensation. The 1/8-inch thick, 3/8-inch wide adhesive spacer that bonds together the two panes can help reduce condensation if it is comprised of a non-metal material. Traditionally these spacers have been made of stainless steel or aluminum, both of which conduct heat and cold readily. A non-metal spacer minimizes conductivity and, in turn, reduces condensation. Peachtree Doors & Windows uses a warm-edge, non-metallic spacing system.

"The non-metal, warm-edge spacer system also improves the energy efficiency of windows while reducing condensation," Kibler said. "The less metal a window has, the less it will conduct heat and cold, the less condensation will appear on the glass, and the more energy efficient it will be."

For more tips on reducing window condensation, contact Peachtree at (800) 732-2499, or visit www.peachtreedoor.com or the Window & Door Manufacturers Association Web site at www.wdma.org .