Can You Lower Humidity by Running the Air Conditioner?

Excess humidity can result in many problems, including mold and mildew, musty odors, structural problems, and an unpleasant muggy feeling. That’s why it’s important to control humidity if you hope to enhance indoor air quality and home comfort. 

The ideal relative humidity level is around 30 to 50 percent. Summer is generally the most challenging time of year to stay in this range. Luckily, turning on the air conditioner can help. 

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

How Air Conditioning Removes Humidity 

Contrary to what you might think, your air conditioner doesn’t increase cool, dry air in your home—it eliminates heat and humidity. The process necessitates refrigerant, which absorbs heat and moisture effectively from the indoor air. Here’s how it works: 

• Indoor air flows through the ductwork and travels over the evaporator coil filled with cold refrigerant. 
• The refrigerant soaks up heat, and the moisture in the air condenses on the coil. 

• The condensation drips into the condensate pan below the evaporator coil and drains out of the system. 
• Cooler, dehumidified air blows back into your home. 

How to Lower Humidity 

Using the air conditioner might be enough to bring the relative humidity below 50 percent in dry climates. But if high humidity remains a problem in your home, try again with these tips. 

Ventilate Effectively 

Turn on 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 cool. You can also open a window when it’s milder outside to allow in fresh air. 

Wipe Up Standing Water 

Water on shower tiles, kitchen counters and laundry room floors increase indoor humidity and will sometimes promote mold spores. Clean up standing water promptly to protect against these problems. 

Install a Dehumidifier 

If you grapple with extreme humidity in the summer, think about installing a whole-house dehumidifier that runs in tandem with your air conditioner to make each room more comfortable. A whole-house system can even operate separately from the AC to eliminate humidity on more temperate days without turning on the air conditioner. This approach saves you money and doesn’t leave you with that “cool but clammy” feeling. 

Set the AC Fan to Auto 

The condensation that forms on the evaporator coil needs time to build up and flow away. If you are running the air conditioning fan continually, the moisture will blow back into your home. That’s why it’s better to flip the fan to “auto” so it is only on when the AC compressor starts. You should be able to change this setting easily on your thermostat. 

Change the Air Filter on a Regular Basis 

An old filter traps dust and debris and could harbor mold and mildew if it becomes wet. This sends moisture and mold spores into your home every time the AC is running. Exchange the air filter once a month or as advised by the manufacturer to reduce indoor humidity and increase air quality. 

Fine Tune the Fan Speed 

Refining the fan speed can be tricky. Higher airflow helps the AC keep up with cooling demand on scorching summer days, but this may result in shorter cycles that minimize the chance of effective dehumidification. Work with an HVAC technician to help you determine the best fan speed for your comfort needs. 

Check the Cleanliness of the Evaporator Coil 

A grimy coil can’t cool and dehumidify efficiently. If your AC is having trouble maintaining the preferred temperature, contact our HVAC specialists to maintain your cooling system and check the cleanliness of the evaporator coil. Cooling and dehumidifying capabilities should improve as a result. 

Verify the Refrigerant Charge 

A depleted supply of refrigerant can impede your air conditioner’s ability to perform its job. Left ignored, major issues like a frozen evaporator coil or compressor failure can develop. Only a skilled HVAC technician can fix refrigerant leaks and refresh the system as necessary, offering you another reason to request an AC tune-up. 

Replace Your Air Conditioner 

If your home has consistent comfort issues and your air conditioner is getting old, it might be time for a replacement. Pick a new AC system with innovative features, such as a thermal expansion valve (TXV) and variable blower motor. A TXV provides the precise amount of refrigerant determined by the air temperature, and a variable blower motor increases or decreases the fan speed to satisfy demand. Both features increase cooling and dehumidifying performance. 

Manage Indoor Humidity with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 

If you believe it’s time to put in a whole-house dehumidifier or replace your AC system, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Our HVAC services are designed to improve home comfort and energy efficiency for your long-term satisfaction. To raise questions or arrange a visit from one of our qualified heating and cooling technicians, please call us today.