What to do about ice on windows during a frigged winter?

Many homeowners around St Michael woke up to ice on the windows Monday morning.  With the temperature around -25 today this becomes a common problem.  Here are some quick tips to help.

1. Keep curtains or window shades open as much as possible if you see moisture or ice on that window.  Yes keeping the curtain closed will help save you money on your heating bill but wet windows are not good either.

2. Remove window screens from inside.  The screen reduces air across the window making ice a bigger problem.

3. Blow a fan on the window.  Blowing the warm 65-70 degree indoor air  at the window will thaw the ice and evaporate the moisture.

4. Make sure your air exchanger is working, filters are clean, and the outdoor intake screen is clean.

5. Run the blower on your furnace constant.  To do this just switch the "FAN" from "AUTO" to "ON", then the blower will run 24/7 on your furnace.  

Humidity control in your home is very important and it is critical you are using your air exchanger in homes equipped with one.  Majority of homes built after 2000 have an air exchanger.  Minnesota Code allows insurance companies to be excluded from mold claims in homes if homeowner did not properly maintain or operate there fresh air equipment.   

Depending on the age of your windows this will greatly effect how much moisture your home can control.  When the temperature is -20 and colder most homes can only handle 20-25% indoor relative humidity (%RH).