Can You Reduce Humidity by Running the Air Conditioner?

Excess humidity can result in many problems, including mold spores, musty smells, structural problems, and an uncomfortable muggy feeling. That’s why it’s important to control humidity if you plan to improve indoor air quality and home comfort. 

The perfect relative humidity level is around 30 to 50 percent. Summer is generally the toughest time of year to stick within this range. Fortunately, using 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, alongside with ideas to balance indoor humidity levels. 

How Air Conditioning Eliminates Humidity 

Contrary to popular belief, your air conditioner doesn’t increase 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 what happens: 

• Indoor air moves through the ductwork and all over the evaporator coil containing cold refrigerant. 
• The refrigerant soaks up heat, and the moisture in the air condenses on the coil. 

• The condensation falls into the condensate pan underneath the evaporator coil and drains away from your home. 
• Cooler, dehumidified air flows back into your home. 

Ways to Decrease Humidity 

Using the air conditioner might be adequate to bring the relative humidity under 50 percent in dry climates. But if high humidity is still 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 a cooler temperature. You can also open a window when it’s comfortable outside to draw in fresh air. 

Mop Up Standing Water 

Wet shower tiles, kitchen counters and laundry room floors raise indoor humidity and can encourage mold growth. Clean up standing water promptly to avoid these problems. 

Install a Dehumidifier 

If you dislike extreme humidity in the summer, think about installing a whole-house dehumidifier that performs in tandem with your air conditioner to make your entire home more comfortable. A whole-house model can even operate separately from the AC to lower humidity on more temperate days without turning on the air conditioner. This technique saves you money and avoids that “cool but clammy” feeling. 

Adjust the AC Fan to Auto 

The condensation that collects on the evaporator coil needs time to build up and trickle away. If you run the air conditioning fan constantly, the moisture will blow right back in your home. That’s why it’s better to set the fan to “auto” so it is only running when the AC compressor switches on. You should be able to change this setting easily on your thermostat. 

Swap Out the Air Filter Regularly 

An old filter traps dust and debris and may encourage mold growth if it gets wet. This introduces moisture and mold spores into your home any time the AC turns on. Change the air filter every month or as encouraged by the manufacturer to reduce indoor humidity and increase air quality. 

Fine Tune the Fan Speed 

Setting the fan speed can be tricky. Strong airflow helps the AC meet your cooling demand on particularly hot days, but this might result in shorter cycles that prevent effective dehumidification. Speak with an HVAC technician to help you select the best fan speed for your comfort needs. 

Clean the Evaporator Coil 

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

Confirm the Refrigerant Charge 

A depleted supply of refrigerant can hinder your air conditioner’s ability to carry out its job. Left unchecked, serious issues such as a frozen evaporator coil or compressor failure might happen. Only a skilled HVAC technician can solve refrigerant leaks and replenish the system as necessary, giving you another reason to request an AC tune-up. 

Replace Your Air Conditioner 

If your home has constant comfort trouble and your air conditioner is getting old, it could be time for a replacement. Select a new AC unit with innovative features, such as a thermal expansion valve (TXV) and variable blower motor. A TXV delivers the perfect amount of refrigerant based on the air temperature, and a variable blower motor adapts the fan speed to meet demand. Both features reinforce cooling and dehumidifying efficiency. 

Control Indoor Humidity with Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts 

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