Can Air Conditioners Control Humidity?
If there’s anything that Texas residents are familiar with, it’s extreme summer temperatures and high humidity levels. Humid air can take a normal, hot day and turn it into an unbearably uncomfortable one. Luckily, there’s a solution to regulating indoor humidity levels and it’s already in your home!
Air conditioners not only cool down your home, but the process by which air conditioners cool down your home also helps to reduce humidity. A properly functioning air conditioner can lower the humidity levels in your home without any additional appliances. Here’s how it works and why it’s a crucial part of home comfort.
How it Works
Maintaining Ideal Humidity
Humidity is how much water is in the air. The warmer the air is, the higher the levels of water vapor it can hold. Indoor humidity levels should remain between 30% to 50%. Humidity is considered extreme if it goes above 50 percent. At these levels, the air is either too dry or too wet, therefore causing issues for some people. The further away from the ideal range of 30 to 50 percent, the more we can feel the effects. High levels of humidity indoors can cause damage to wallpaper, paint, and furniture, causing water stains and mold growth.
If you don’t normally struggle with humidity issues in your home but you are just beginning to, you could have issues with your air conditioning system. A clogged air filter can trap moisture inside the air ducts, which is why it’s important to change your air filter once a month. If you’re still noticing humidity in your home after changing the air filter, you might have a more serious maintenance issue. Performing routine maintenance on your air conditioner can prevent any small issues from becoming bigger problems. To schedule a maintenance appointment with Lex Air Conditioning and Heating, call us today at (972) 217-8955.
Removing Humidity
Air conditioners remove humidity through their basic process. When the air conditioner takes in air, it collects water vapor on a part called the evaporator coil. After the air is processed and treated with coolant, it blows back into your home without that excess moisture. The amount of humidity the air conditioner removes depends on the type of air conditioner, what condition it’s in, the unit’s size, and the unit’s age. Even though air conditioners do remove humidity, the amount of humidity that they remove can be minimal. Homes with air conditioners in more humid climates will struggle to remove excess moisture in the air regardless of how new the AC system is.
Still Experiencing Excess Humidity? Try a Whole-House Dehumidifier
If you’re more sensitive to the effects of moist air in your home, adding a dehumidifier might be an excellent addition to your air conditioning system. It can also help your home feel slightly cooler, allowing you to raise the temperature on your thermostat and save some money on cooling costs. As dehumidifiers reduce humidity in our homes, they also improve our indoor air quality.
At Lex Air Conditioning and Heating, we offer several solutions for regulating humidity. If you’re looking to decrease the levels of humidity in your home, a whole-house dehumidifier would be the perfect solution. Not only can high levels of humidity in your home be extremely uncomfortable, but they can also have negative effects on your health. High levels of humidity can lead to bacteria and mold growth. These biological contaminants can make your home smell bad but they can also cause allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems.
A whole-house dehumidifier works with your current heating and cooling system by drawing air back through the ductwork. The moisture collected from the air is cooled and then condensed into droplets which fall into the drip pan. The dry air is then pushed back into your home, reaching the desired temperature. Whole-house dehumidifiers work by regulating humidity throughout the entire home as opposed to portable dehumidifiers that only work in the room they are in.
Benefits of whole-house dehumidifiers:
- Reduce the growth of mold, mildew, and other bacteria that thrives in humid environments
- Saves money on electric bills because drier air is easier to cool which results in using less energy to cool your home
- Decreases allergies and asthma caused by high humidity levels
Excess Humidity in Your Home? Call the HVAC Specialists at Lex Air Conditioning and Heating Today!
Your home comfort doesn’t end with an ideal temperature. Good indoor air quality is key to staying healthy and comfortable. If you’re noticing high humidity levels in your home, you might need to schedule an air conditioning repair or install a dehumidifier. Reducing your home’s humidity levels can greatly improve your indoor air quality. At Lex Air Conditioning and Heating, we have several humidity control options available. When you schedule a service call with one of Lex Air’s experienced technicians, they will help you decide on what humidity-reducing option would be best suited for your home. Contact Lex Air Conditioning and Heating at (972) 217-8955 today to learn more about our indoor air quality solutions.
