Does pumping down the AC in your home reduce the humidity? What is considered high humidity? Find out in this article!
why is it that summer days feel hotter than the actual temperature on the thermometer? Once relative humidity begins to climb above 50 %, the additional moisture in the air restricts the human body’s capability to release heat through your skin via perspiration. It is basically like including a blanket over the body during a hot day: the outside temperature is not any higher, but you feel hotter than you are comfortable with due to all the trapped heat! So a 70°F day can feel like it’s 80°F when relative humidity is more than 50 %.
What is the Normal Humidity Level for Inside a Home?
You may already hear that humidity is the water amount in the air, and you would technically be correct! But, it is a little more complicated than just that.
The ideal or perfect humidity level for your home depends on you and your family. It will rely mainly on the time of year, what type of clothes you are wearing, and where you are naturally comfortable.
Study shows that the ideal relative humidity for your house is between 40 to 60 %. However, to reduce the development and spread, the level must be kept below 50 %. But how do you even know how humid it is in your home?
You can purchase a device called a humidity monitor. This will tell you the current humidity level in whatever location it is sitting in. This can be an easy way to quickly identify the humidity level in your home.
An Air Conditioner Isn’t a Dehumidifier
Although an air conditioner reduces the temperature inside your home, it is not the same as reducing the humidity. An air conditioning unit would need to run longer than it normally would to overcome the additional feeling of indoor heat.
For instance, when it is 70°F, you may not need your air conditioning to be running in order to relax in your home. To save energy, you can open the window, turn your fan on, and you will have a comfortable temperature in your home if the outside humidity is not too high. As soon as the humidity level rises above the 50-60% mark, your home will begin to feel like 80°F. you will then need to close up your house and turn on the AC.
An air conditioner does have some dehumidifying properties but they are not the same. The mistake of assuming that air conditioning can take the place of a dedicated dehumidifier is easy to do. As an AC cools down the air via evaporating refrigerant, it may draw moisture out of the air along with the heat. A dehumidifier works by directly pulling moisture out of the air.
An HVAC unit can cool down your home making it feel less humid in a sense, but it does not specifically work to dehumidify your house.
How Does Air Conditioning Remove Humidity?
To understand how air conditioners can reduce humidity, it’s important to look at how these systems work. The cooling process involves passing warm indoor air over a set of evaporator coils that are filled with refrigerant. As the air cools, moisture condenses on the coils, much like water droplets form on a cold glass of water on a humid day. This condensed moisture drips into a drain pan and is eventually removed from your home through the AC’s drainage system.
This process means that as the air conditioner cools the air, it also removes some of the moisture, effectively lowering the humidity in your home. However, the amount of moisture removed is limited by how long the air conditioner runs. Short cycles may not reduce humidity effectively, especially on particularly humid days.
Humidity and AC Efficiency
While air conditioners do help lower humidity to some extent, they are not the most efficient way to tackle high humidity levels. An air conditioning unit is designed to regulate temperature, and the dehumidification that occurs is just a byproduct of the cooling process. If the air inside your home is relatively cool, the AC may not run long enough to remove enough moisture from the air, leaving you with a cool but clammy feeling.
In fact, too much moisture in the air can make your air conditioner less efficient. High humidity levels make it harder for your body to cool itself through sweating, which is why you feel hotter when it’s humid even if the actual temperature isn’t very high. This can cause you to crank up the AC to achieve a comfortable environment, which increases energy use and puts more strain on the system.
Why You May Need a Dehumidifier
Although air conditioners can reduce some moisture in your home, a dedicated dehumidifier is far more effective at controlling humidity levels. A dehumidifier works by pulling moisture from the air, collecting it into a reservoir or sending it out through a drainage pipe. Dehumidifiers can lower humidity levels much more efficiently than air conditioners because they are specifically designed for this purpose.
In areas with consistently high humidity, such as coastal regions or tropical climates, running a dehumidifier alongside your air conditioner can help keep your home feeling more comfortable. This combination will also allow your air conditioner to work more efficiently, potentially lowering your energy bills.
Signs You Have High Humidity in Your Home
It can be difficult to know whether humidity levels in your home are too high, but there are some signs to watch out for:
- Condensation on Windows: If you notice water droplets forming on the inside of your windows, this is a sign that your home’s humidity is too high. The moisture in the air is condensing on the cooler glass surface, indicating that the air is saturated with water vapor.
- Mold and Mildew Growth: High humidity levels create the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. If you notice musty odors, discoloration on walls, or black spots in damp areas, such as the bathroom, basement, or around windows, it’s a strong sign of excess humidity.
- Feeling Sticky Indoors: Even when the temperature is cool, high humidity can make you feel sticky or uncomfortable. This sensation is caused by the inability of sweat to evaporate off your skin when the air is already saturated with moisture.
- Warping Wood or Peeling Paint: High moisture levels can cause wood to swell, warp, or rot. Similarly, it can cause paint or wallpaper to peel away from walls. If you notice these changes in your home, it may be time to invest in a dehumidifier to control indoor humidity.
Optimal Humidity Levels for Comfort and Health
The ideal indoor humidity level for comfort and health is typically between 30% and 50%. Anything higher can make your home feel sticky, while anything lower can dry out your skin and respiratory system. It’s important to maintain the right balance because humidity that is too low can also create problems, such as increased static electricity, dry nasal passages, and even cracked wooden furniture.
You can measure the humidity in your home using a hygrometer, an inexpensive tool that provides real-time data on the indoor humidity level. If you notice that your home’s humidity is consistently above 50%, especially in the summer months, it may be time to invest in a dehumidifier to help manage it.
Energy Savings and Humidity Control
An added benefit of controlling indoor humidity is that it can improve energy efficiency. When the humidity level is too high, it can cause your air conditioning unit to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. By reducing humidity with a dehumidifier, you take some of the workload off your AC unit, which could lower your energy costs.
In addition, running your air conditioner for shorter periods and using fans or dehumidifiers as supplemental tools can extend the lifespan of your AC system. Excessive use of air conditioning to combat high humidity can wear out parts of the system, leading to costly repairs or replacements over time.
Using Fans and Ventilation
While an air conditioner and dehumidifier are the best tools for reducing humidity, you can also use other methods to manage moisture in your home. Proper ventilation in areas prone to moisture buildup, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements, can help prevent humidity levels from rising too high.
- Exhaust Fans: Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to expel moist air outside. These fans are particularly helpful when taking hot showers or cooking, which can release steam into the air and raise humidity levels.
- Ceiling Fans: Ceiling fans can help circulate air and improve the effectiveness of your AC system, making it easier to cool the house and control humidity.
Coastal Home
If your HVAC system is not cooling down your home properly, you may want to have it inspected for issues. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, there is most likely an issue with your HVAC system. Contact Coastal Home today to have a professional look at your AC unit and diagnose the problem.
