Can You Reduce Humidity by Running the Air Conditioner?

Too much humidity can result in various problems, including mold and mildew, musty rooms, structural issues, and an uncomfortable muggy feeling. That’s why it’s essential to control humidity if you want to enhance indoor air quality and home comfort. 

The perfect relative humidity level is about 30 to 50 percent. Summer is generally the hardest time of year to stay within this range. Fortunately, turning on the air conditioner can help. 

After all, air conditioning doesn’t only cool your home—it also reduces humidity. Here’s details of how this works, coupled with ideas to adjust indoor humidity levels. 

How Air Conditioning Removes Humidity 

Contrary to what you might think, your air conditioner doesn’t add cool, dry air in your home—it takes out heat and humidity. The process involves refrigerant, which soaks up heat and moisture effectively from the indoor air. Here’s what happens: 

  • Indoor air rushes through the ductwork and passes over the evaporator coil containing cold refrigerant. 
  • The refrigerant collects heat, and the moisture in the air collects on the coil. 
  • The condensation falls into the condensate pan below the evaporator coil and drains away from your home. 
  • Cool, dehumidified air flows back into your home. 

How to Decrease Humidity 

Running the air conditioner may be adequate to bring the relative humidity under 50 percent in dry climates. But if high humidity continues to be a problem in your home, consider these tips. 

Ventilate Correctly 

Turn on the exhaust fan in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room when you shower, cook and wash clothes. Spot ventilation eliminates humidity at the source to keep these rooms cool. You can also open a window when it’s mild outside to let in fresh air. 

Clean Up Standing Water 

Water on shower tiles, kitchen counters and laundry room floors increase indoor humidity and may encourage mold and mildew. Dry any standing water promptly to avoid these problems. 

Use a Dehumidifier 

If you grapple with extreme humidity in the summer, look into installing a whole-house dehumidifier that performs in tandem with your air conditioner to make each room more comfortable. A whole-house system can even run independently of the AC to remove humidity on more temperate days without running the air conditioner. This approach saves you money and avoids that “cool but clammy” feeling. 

Flip the AC Fan to Auto 

The condensation that collects on the evaporator coil needs time to accumulate and trickle away. If you are running the air conditioning fan continuously, the moisture won’t be able to leave your home. That’s why it’s more efficient to adjust 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. 

Replace the Air Filter Consistently 

A clogged filter traps dust and debris and can harbor mold and mildew if it becomes wet. This introduces moisture and mold spores into your home each time the AC turns on. Change the air filter every month or as recommended by the manufacturer to lower indoor humidity and increase air quality. 

Tweak the Fan Speed 

Setting the fan speed can be tricky. High airflow helps the AC meet your cooling demand on scorching summer days, but this may lead to shorter cycles that block effective dehumidification. Coordinate with an HVAC technician to help you choose the best fan speed for your comfort preferences. 

Clean the Evaporator Coil 

A dirty coil can’t cool and dehumidify effectively. If your air conditioner is having trouble reaching the preferred temperature, call our HVAC specialists to tune up your cooling system and clean the evaporator coil. Cooling and dehumidifying efficiency should improve as a result. 

Verify the Refrigerant Charge 

Low refrigerant can hinder your air conditioner’s ability to perform its job. Left ignored, severe issues including a frozen evaporator coil or compressor failure can develop. Only a qualified HVAC technician can fix refrigerant leaks and replenish the system as needed, offering you another reason to schedule an AC tune-up. 

Upgrade Your Air Conditioner 

If your home has continuous comfort issues and your air conditioner is wearing down, it may be time to replace it. Pick a new AC system with modern features, like a thermal expansion valve (TXV) and variable blower motor. A TXV provides the perfect amount of refrigerant determined by the air temperature, and a variable blower motor increases or decreases the fan speed to meet demand. Both features increase cooling and dehumidifying efficiency. 

Control Indoor Humidity with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 

If you believe it’s time to install a whole-house dehumidifier or upgrade your AC system, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help. Our HVAC services are designed to maximize home comfort and energy efficiency for your long-term satisfaction. To ask questions or schedule a visit from one of our experienced heating and cooling technicians, please give us a call today. 

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