How Does the Humidity Level Affect Your A/C System?

How Does the Humidity Level Affect Your A/C System?

High heat and humidity make you feel hot, sticky, and uncomfortable. Air conditioners are designed to remove excess moisture and heat from the air, which is why it feels so good to be inside with the A/C running. The lower the heat and humidity level, the cooler your home will be. But, did you realize that humidity level can affect your A/C system in a negative way, making it work harder and less efficiently?

High Humidity Level Overworks Your A/C

It makes perfect sense that your air conditioner will have to work harder when the humidity levels are high. This especially the case if your air conditioner is wrongly-sized. Although you might think that the solution is a bigger, more powerful air conditioner, that’s not the case. A unit that’s over-sized won’t be able to properly remove the moisture from the air. Thus, leaving your home hot and muggy. A properly-sized air conditioner, on the other hand, can more effectively keep up with high humidity levels.

High Humidity Can Cause Damage to the A/C

Your air conditioner is a complex machine that was designed to run for extended periods of time, cycling on and off as needed. If your A/C is pushed too hard for too long though, it causes wear-and-tear on the parts. When parts become stressed, the chances of you needing expensive repairs are dramatically increased. If your air conditioner is overworked for too long, it could be damaged beyond repair, which means it will have to be replaced.

Humidity Causes Your A/C to Be Less Efficient

In an ideal world, your air conditioner would be able to manage the moisture levels in your home, no matter the season. When the humidity levels are high and your air conditioner struggles to keep up, it’s not working at peak efficiency and, therefore, can’t get rid of the moisture. In fact, it will use excessive amounts of energy and give little in the way of cool comfort. The result is that your monthly utility bills soar during the hottest, most humid periods of the year.

Signs That Humidity Is Causing A/C Problems

You might think that it’s you, not your air conditioner when you’re feeling hot and sticky inside. The truth is, it could be that your air conditioner isn’t working at peak efficiency, or it’s damaged due to wear and tear caused by overuse. Not sure if humidity is causing A/C problems in your home? Here are a few simple ways you can tell:

  • The inside of your windows have condensation on them.
  • Your bathroom mirrors fog up when you’re not using the shower.
  • You feel like the air is heavy and moist and that the temperature is high.
  • You smell a damp, musty odor on fabrics, carpets, and furniture.
  • Your A/C seems to run more often but doesn’t cool your home.

How to Manage the Humidity Level

You can’t do much about the weather. Indeed, there will certainly be times when the humidity levels and heat are too much to bear. The best you can do is manage the humidity inside your home so your air conditioner works as efficiently as possible. By far, the best way to manage your home’s moisture content is with an air conditioner that’s appropriately sized. You can also have a dehumidifier installed directly onto your air conditioner to remove moisture.

If you want to learn more about how humidity affects your A/C, or you need help to get humidity under control, please contact us at Coastal Mechanical Contractors. We’ve been keeping our Southern Louisiana customers cool and comfortable since 1965. We look forward to serving you as well!

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