Is your home unusually humid, even for a Georgian summer? Call Georgia Air Cooling & Heating at 912.513.3361 to restore comfort to your home.
If you have an air conditioner in your home, you’re probably used to a comfortable level of humidity during the summer. So if you’re noticing an increase in your home’s moisture levels, you’re probably wondering, “Does air conditioning reduce humidity?”
Yes, your air conditioner reduces humidity, and Georgia Air Cooling & Heating can help. As Richmond Hill’s dependable HVAC maintenance providers, they’re passionate about keeping your home comfortable. Keep reading to discover how to help your air conditioner keep your humidity low and the benefits of doing so.
How Air Conditioners Reduce Humidity
Your air conditioner contains an evaporator coil that takes condensed water from the surrounding air and drains it, forcing it outside. Less moisture in the air means less humidity in your home. While older air conditioners might have trouble regulating the humidity, newer models in working order should keep up except for the most humid days.
Your air conditioner reduces the humidity using the following process:
- The hot indoor air passes over the evaporator coil, which contains cooled refrigerant.
- The refrigerant takes the heat from the air and stores it. The moisture transfers to the evaporator coil and condenses on it.
- The accumulated condensation drips into a pan under the evaporator coil. The water drains from the system and moves outside, where it’s released.
- The cool, dry air flows into your air ducts, where it’s blown and transported throughout your home.
The ideal relative humidity for your home is between 30% and 50%. While low humidity is rarely a problem in Georgia, with an average morning humidity of 85% during the summer, many air conditioners have problems keeping up.
Helping Your Air Conditioner Reduce Humidity
Does air conditioning reduce humidity? Yes, but if you’re living in discomfort because your air conditioner has trouble keeping up with the intense Georgia humidity, you can help your AC unit in several ways.
Ventilate
Your kitchen and bathroom are vulnerable to moisture buildup because they use the most water. To reduce humidity in your home, run the exhaust fan when you bathe, wash dishes and clothes, or boil water. If your indoor humidity is higher inside than outside, you can open your windows to help regulate the humidity.
For even more ventilation, consider installing ceiling fans to further circulate the air and utilize your body’s ability to cool itself.
Remove Standing Water
Though it might seem insignificant, condensation in your sink, on your counters, and in your shower can add to the humidity levels in your home. Practice regular moisture removal by wiping up spills, drying out your sink and shower, and avoiding full cups sitting around the home.
Use a Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier is a great tool for removing excess moisture in your home. If you only experience uncomfortable humidity in one or two rooms, you might find a portable dehumidifier adequate for your needs.
If you find your air conditioner consistently fails to regulate the humidity throughout your home, consider installing a whole-home dehumidifier. It can save you money long-term by helping you run your air conditioner less and avoiding the damage and health concerns caused by high humidity levels.
Set the Fan to Auto
The evaporator coil needs time to drain the condensation that it accumulates. You might think that running your air conditioner’s fan constantly helps reduce humidity by promoting airflow. However, it has the opposite effect.
When you run your air conditioner’s fan without a break, the condensation that hasn’t drained from the evaporator coil blows back into the house and increases the humidity. When you set your fan to the auto setting, it only runs when the air conditioner is actively cooling the air and prevents excess condensation from permeating your home.
Change the Air Filter
Your AC unit’s air filter improves air quality by removing pollutants such as pet dander, smoke particles, and dust. Over time, the air filter accumulates debris. Without timely replacement, it becomes clogged and not only reduces airflow but accumulates moisture.
Change your air filter every 30 to 90 days, depending on the type of filter you use. If you’re a smoker, have pets, or live in a place with high pollution, the filter might require more frequent changes. Certain air filters only require cleaning rather than regular replacement.
Work with your HVAC specialist to determine the best type of air filter for your air conditioner and home.
Adjust the Fan Speed
Your HVAC technician can help determine the best fan speed for your home and adjust it on your behalf. Because adjusting the fan speed requires manipulating the air conditioner’s wires, never attempt the procedure yourself.
A higher fan speed decreases the time it takes to cool your home, especially on days with extreme heat, but the reduced cooling time can also increase the evaporator coil’s moisture accumulation. A lower fan speed can help decrease your home’s humidity levels but makes it more difficult for your air conditioner to keep up on hotter days.
Clean the Coils
When dirt accumulates on the evaporator coils, it prevents your air conditioner from cooling effectively and the ambient condensation from collecting on the coil. When an HVAC professional cleans your coils, they keep it working at maximum efficiency and maintain its ability to reduce humidity. Because an evaporator coil is so fragile, avoid more serious damage to the air conditioner by hiring a certified technician for the cleaning.
Check the Refrigerant
Your air conditioner requires refrigerant to absorb the heat and deliver the cool air to your air ducts. During the cooling process, the refrigerant changes between the liquid and gaseous states.
The refrigerant travels throughout a self-contained system of tubes and components, and as such, shouldn’t leak. However, as an air conditioner ages, it becomes more vulnerable to leaks. Fixing the leak and refilling the refrigerant can restore your AC unit’s ability to cool the air and remove humidity.
Never attempt to find or fix a refrigerant leak yourself. Not only is the system fragile, but the freon used as the refrigerant is toxic. A certified technician can repair, refill, and dispose of the refrigerant safely and effectively.
Upgrade the AC Unit
Even when an air conditioner is fully functioning and well maintained, it can still have trouble cooling and maintaining humidity if it’s the wrong capacity for your needs. The specialists at Georgia Air Cooling & Heating can help determine the best type and size of air conditioner for your needs. If your home is consistently uncomfortable, especially on days with extreme heat or humidity, consider upgrading your AC unit.
The Benefits of Reducing Humidity
Does air conditioning reduce humidity? Yes, and there are several ways you can improve its ability to lower moisture in the air. With decreased humidity levels, you gain several benefits.
Increased Comfort
High humidity greatly decreases your home’s indoor air quality. The primary reason high humidity is uncomfortable is because it reduces your body’s natural evaporative cooling ability. That’s why a higher humidity feels like a higher temperature.
When you lower the moisture levels in your home, the air feels more comfortable because your body can cool itself.
Reduced Damage
High humidity can damage your home and property. With sustained high levels of moisture, your carpet, ductwork, and even the air conditioner unit can accumulate mold and mildew. The mold can invade your walls and floors, rotting them from the inside out, and eventually require complete replacement.
The moisture can also warp your furniture beyond repair, forcing you to spend money on new items.
Improved Health
The mold and mildew that grows in high humidity have detrimental effects on your health. Not only can it aggravate your existing allergies and respiratory problems, but it can cause new issues or infections.
High humidity also makes it difficult to sleep, which decreases your immune system’s ability to fight infection. When you reduce the humidity within your home, you help maintain your overall health.
Saving Money
Because of the other benefits that come with lowering your home’s humidity, you’ll also save money in the following ways:
- When your home cools more efficiently and you feel more comfortable, you won’t need to run your air conditioner as frequently. With lower humidity comes lower utility bills.
- You’ll save money on repairing and replacing the damage to your home and property.
- With well-maintained health, you’ll spend less on medications and doctor visits.
Call Georgia Air Cooling & Heating for All Your Air Conditioning Needs
Now you know the answer to, “Does air conditioning reduce humidity?” Georgia Air Cooling & Heating can maintain and repair your air conditioner so you can continue living in comfort. With expert knowledge and a dedication to customer service, they’re the best at repairing HVAC systems in the area.
Whether you’re wondering about the best temperature to sleep at or need air conditioner repairs, Georgia Air Cooling & Heating can help. Call 912.513.3361 to book an appointment.