Unwanted humidity can result in many problems, such as mold spores, musty rooms, structural problems, and an uncomfortable muggy feeling. That’s why it’s necessary to balance humidity if you hope to increase indoor air quality and home comfort.
The ideal relative humidity level is around 30 to 50 percent. Summer is usually the hardest time of year to stick within this range. Luckily, using the air conditioner can help.
After all, air conditioning doesn’t just cool your home—it also decreases humidity. Here’s a look at how this works, alongside with ideas to adjust indoor humidity levels.
Contrary to what you might think, your air conditioner doesn’t put in cool, dry air in your home—it removes heat and humidity. The process necessitates refrigerant, which stores heat and moisture effectively from the indoor air. Here’s the process:
Using the air conditioner might be sufficient to lower the relative humidity beneath 50 percent in dry climates. But if high humidity remains a problem in your home, consider these tips.
Use the exhaust fan in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room when you shower, cook and wash clothes. This form of ventilation lowers humidity at the source to keep these rooms a cooler temperature. You can also open a window when it’s comfortable outside to allow in fresh air.
Damp shower tiles, kitchen counters and laundry room floors raise indoor humidity and can stimulate mold and mildew. Dry any standing water promptly to protect against these problems.
If you struggle with extreme humidity in the summer, think about installing a whole-house dehumidifier that runs in tandem with your air conditioner to make every room more comfortable. A whole-house model can even function separately from the AC to remove humidity on milder days without running the air conditioner. This method saves you money and doesn’t leave you with that “cool but clammy” feeling.
The condensation that forms on the evaporator coil needs time to build up and trickle away. If you are running the air conditioning fan continually, the moisture will blow right back in your home. That’s why it’s better to set the fan to “auto” so it is only running when the AC compressor starts. You should be able to adjust this setting easily on your thermostat.
An old filter traps dust and debris and could encourage mold spores if it gets wet. This sends moisture and mold spores into your home any time the AC turns on. Change the air filter each month or as encouraged by the manufacturer to decrease indoor humidity and improve air quality.
Refining the fan speed can be tricky. Higher airflow helps the AC keep up with cooling demand on particularly hot days, but this may cause shorter cycles that block effective dehumidification. Speak with an HVAC technician to help you choose the best fan speed for your comfort needs.
A dirty coil can’t cool and dehumidify well. If your air conditioner is having trouble sustaining the desired temperature, contact our HVAC specialists to maintain your cooling system and clean the evaporator coil. Cooling and dehumidifying capabilities should improve as a result.
Low refrigerant can hinder your air conditioner’s ability to perform its job. Left alone, major issues like a frozen evaporator coil or compressor failure may develop. Only a skilled HVAC technician can fix refrigerant leaks and refresh the system as needed, giving you another reason to schedule an AC tune-up.
If your home has constant comfort trouble and your air conditioner is getting old, it may be time to look for a new one. Install a new AC system with modern features, such as a thermal expansion valve (TXV) and variable blower motor. A TXV offers the perfect amount of refrigerant based on the air temperature, and a variable blower motor adjusts the fan speed to suit demand. Both features enhance cooling and dehumidifying efficiency.
If you decide it’s time to install a whole-house dehumidifier or upgrade your air conditioning, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help. Our HVAC services are tailored to improve home comfort and energy efficiency for your long-term satisfaction. To raise questions or request a visit from one of our certified heating and cooling technicians, please give us a call today.
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There’s no reason to skip your seasonal maintenance that saves energy and helps ensure your air conditioner and heater will work reliably all season long.
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