Can You Decrease Humidity by Running the Air Conditioner?

Too much humidity can result in many problems, such as mold spores, musty rooms, structural damage, and an uncomfortable muggy feeling. That’s why it’s necessary to manage humidity if you want to improve indoor air quality and home comfort. 

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

After all, air conditioning doesn’t just cool your home—it also lowers humidity. Here’s info about how this works, coupled with ideas to manage indoor humidity levels. 

How Air Conditioning Lowers Humidity 

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

• Indoor air moves through the ductwork and passes 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 flows into the condensate pan beneath the evaporator coil and drains away. 
• Cooled, dehumidified air flows back into your home. 

Ways to Reduce Humidity 

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

Ventilate Effectively 

Use the exhaust fan in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room when you shower, cook and wash clothes. This form of ventilation eliminates humidity at the source to keep these rooms cool. You can also open a window when it’s more temperate outside to allow in fresh air. 

Mop Up Standing Water 

Wet shower tiles, kitchen counters and laundry room floors increase indoor humidity and will sometimes promote mold and mildew. Dry any standing water promptly to avoid these problems. 

Install a Dehumidifier 

If you grapple with extreme humidity in the summer, look into installing a whole-house dehumidifier that runs in tandem with your air conditioner to make your entire home more comfortable. A whole-house unit can even run separately from the AC to eliminate humidity on mild days without using the air conditioner. This strategy 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 use the air conditioning fan constantly, the moisture won’t be able to leave your home. That’s why it’s more efficient to flip the fan to “auto” so it only runs when the AC compressor switches on. You should be able to find this setting easily on your thermostat. 

Swap Out the Air Filter Regularly 

A clogged filter traps dust and debris and may support mold growth if it gets wet. This adds more moisture and mold spores into your home each time the AC starts. Exchange the air filter every month or as encouraged by the manufacturer to lower indoor humidity and improve air quality. 

Adjust the Fan Speed 

Refining the fan speed can be tricky. High airflow helps the AC keep up with cooling demand on particularly hot days, but this may lead to shorter cycles that block effective dehumidification. Speak with an HVAC technician to help you select the right fan speed for your comfort needs. 

Check the Cleanliness of the Evaporator Coil 

A filthy coil can’t cool and dehumidify efficiently. If your cooling is having trouble maintaining the set temperature, get in touch with our HVAC specialists to inspect your cooling system and check the cleanliness of the evaporator coil. Cooling and dehumidifying efficiency should improve as a result. 

Confirm the Refrigerant Charge 

Insufficient refrigerant can impede your air conditioner’s ability to do its job. Left unchecked, severe issues such as a frozen evaporator coil or compressor failure might develop. Only a skilled HVAC technician can solve refrigerant leaks and refresh the system as required, giving you another reason to schedule an AC tune-up. 

Exchange Your Air Conditioner 

If your home has constant comfort issues and your air conditioner is wearing down, it might be time to look for a new one. Pick a new AC unit with modern features, including a thermal expansion valve (TXV) and variable blower motor. A TXV delivers the precise amount of refrigerant based on the air temperature, and a variable blower motor adapts the fan speed to suit demand. Both features improve cooling and dehumidifying performance. 

Control Indoor Humidity with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 

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