How Humidity Affects Your Air Conditioner

We are no strangers to spikes in humidity levels here in Tampa, Florida, and we know the reality that when it’s humid, it feels even hotter outside (and possibly inside)! What people don’t often realize is that humidity can have an effect on your HVAC system. When the humidity inside your home is too high, or even too low, achieving that perfect indoor temperature is easier said than done. Let’s take a look at how humidity affects your Tampa, Florida air conditioner and some ways to fix this common issue!

How Humidity Affects Air Conditioning

As we all know, air conditioners cool your home by removing the heat and moisture from the air. If your HVAC system doesn’t have sufficient cooling capacity, it will most likely be unable to cope with high humidity levels in your home. In this case, your home may never feel truly comfortable. Here are some common signs of high humidity levels in the home:

• Moist air. If your skin feels clammy when you’re inside your home, high humidity might be the culprit!
• Windows that fog up. Humidity is vaporized water in the air and when it becomes too much for your AC unit to handle, it might fog up your windows.
• Must odors and smells. Excessive humidity in your home can cause dampness and lead to unpleasant odors.

Air Conditioning Systems and Humidity

In theory, your AC unit should be more than able to remove moisture from the air in your home. Here’s the kicker— humidity negatively affects air conditioning because it cancels out the coolant effect! When the humidity is too high in your home, your home will feel warmer than it actually is. You’ll keep turning your AC down with no effect. (Not to mention the higher energy costs!)

Air Conditioners & Cooling Capacity

It is often assumed that the larger and AC unit, the more effective it is in cooling your home. Sorry to say, this is not necessarily the case. If the AC unit is much larger than needed, it won’t be able to effectively remove the moisture in the air. So, the humidity levels in your home will remain high. Larger and more powerful AC units don’t need to run as much as smaller units, so they don’t get the chance to remove the moisture in the air before they shut off. It’s crucial to buy an air conditioner that suits your home size.

Dehumidifiers

The best way to deal with humidity when trying to cool your home is to have a dehumidifier installed on your HVAC system. The best HVAC systems on the market include humidifiers and dehumidifiers that will keep the humidity levels in your home in check. A dehumidifier pulls moisture from the air before it is forced through the ducts of your home. These can be paired with AC systems and allow you to adjust the temperature and humidity in your home with the easy touch of a button.

More > Tips for Controlling Indoor Humidity this Summer

Humidity levels can be adequately kept in check during the summer if your air conditioner is able to do their job more effectively. You will notice that your house feels colder and you’ll enjoy a nice drop in your energy bill! Your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard, but it will still be able to keep your home cool.

Humidifiers

You might notice low humidity in your home during the winter. (Yes, even in Florida!) In this case, a humidifier adds moisture to the air in your home, and can also be installed right on the HVAC system. This helps your home feel warmer in those chilly winter months.

If you are interested in adding a dehumidifier or humidifier to your HVAC system, turn to the Tampa air conditioning repair pros at Super Heat & Air! We offer great deals on the latest high-efficiency brand-name AC systems. And we employ some of the best air conditioner installation technicians in the Greater Tampa Bay area!

Call us today for a quote!