Have you ever heard yourself saying, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity!” Humid weather makes the hot summer feel even more unbearable. You’re sweaty and sticky and it just feels like you can never keep cool. And if people in your family have breathing problems, like allergies or asthma, high humidity levels can make it hard for them to breath.
You can run a dehumidifier to try and keep the humidity down, but that generates unwanted heat, so it only helps so much. Luckily, if you have an air conditioner in your home, you have a secret weapon to help fight humidity.
What Exactly Is Humidity?
Let’s go back to science class for a minute. Humidity, or relative humidity, is defined as the level of water vapor in the air at any time. That means the percentage of humidity is the saturation percentage of water vapor in the air.
Depending on the temperature, humidity will either increase or decrease. And depending on the season, there are different levels of ideal humidity. In the summer, the ideal range for humidity is between 30 and 45%. However, it’s best to keep humidity levels below 40% in the winter. Otherwise, you may see condensation on your windows.
Why Is Humidity Bad?
Other than the obvious (that humid weather is often very uncomfortable), you should try to maintain the correct humidity levels in your home. If your home’s humidity is outside of the previously mentioned ideal ranges, you and your family could be vulnerable to respiratory problems and dry, itchy skin. It can also damage your house, inside and out. Your wood furniture could be harmed, and mold growth will increase.
How Can Your AC Help With Humidity Levels?
You may be wondering how your air conditioner can help with humidity levels. All an AC does is blow out cool air, right?
Actually, no! Your cooling system sucks out hot and humid air while it also blows in cool air. The refrigerant in your AC absorbs and releases the heat by changing it from a liquid to a gas, then back to a liquid. The evaporator coil is what helps with humidity. The evaporator coil condenses the water vapor in the air and releases it into the condensate pan. That means if your AC is working well, your home should not be humid.
However, your AC system may not be strong enough to deal with New England humidity. If your home is uncomfortably humid, that is a primary sign that your cooling system is not working correctly. A working air conditioner should leave your home cool and dry.
How Do You Keep The Humidity Level Down With Your AC?
The most important thing you can do is keep your AC on automatic. If you simply keep it on the “on” setting, the humidity level will be continually fluctuating. Whenever the condenser cycles off, the humidity level will go back up. To keep the humidity down, make sure your AC is working well and maintains a steady temperature in your home.
Is Your Home Too Humid?
Are you having trouble maintaining your home’s humidity levels? Something may be wrong with your cooling system. Call or email Evolved Mechanical today for a free consultation!