Humidity Is Bad for Your AC—Here’s Why

Summers in California are amazing, until you get one of those really hot, humid, sticky days. On days like those, the only thing you can do is retreat back into your cool, comfortable air conditioned home. The only problem is that, on those really hot, humid days, your home may not feel that cool or that comfortable either!

There’s a reason why mildly hot, humid days feel worse than extremely hot, dry days. Our bodies sweat, and as that sweat evaporates off our bodies, it helps us to cool off. When the air is already saturated with moisture, however, it slows down that evaporation process. So what happens with your AC on a hot, humid day? Let’s take a look.

Humidity’s effect on your AC

Most AC systems, especially modern systems, are designed to remove moisture from the air. Removing moisture from the air allows your AC to make your home cooler and dryer, which in turn allows you to feel more comfortable. However, on extremely humid days, your AC system may not be able to keep up. When your AC is unable to effectively remove the moisture from the air, your home will feel warm and uncomfortable.

In addition to the lack of comfort, your AC will also use a lot more energy with very little improvement in its effects. When it’s humid, your AC system will run harder to try and maintain a desired temperature in your home. However, if it’s really humid, regardless of how high you turn your AC or how hard it runs, it won’t be able to effectively cool your home. The end result is wasted energy without an increase in comfort.

Dehumidifier and Your AC

So what is the solution for these hot, humid days ahead of us? You can use a dehumidifier. Some modern AC systems come with a dehumidifier that has separate settings. This type of system allows you to adjust both the humidity and the temperature in your home in order to optimize comfort. If you have a very old AC unit that doesn’t already have this feature, you may want to consider installing a new AC system. Another option, for systems that are fairly new, is to add a dehumidifier to your current AC system. A contractor that offers air conditioning installation in Fair Oaks, CA will be able to help you choose which option will be best for you.

Other Benefits

Removing moisture from your home helps optimize the comfort in your home and can also help your AC run more efficiently. However, there are several other added benefits that come from combining a dehumidifier with your AC system:

• Foggy windows
• Musty odors
• Moist and clammy air
• Mold and mildew

Don’t let the hot, humid days ahead catch you off guard this summer. Installing a dehumidifier/ AC combo system will help your home feel cool and comfortable all summer long. Contact Cassel Air Conditioning and Heating Service, your local source for air conditioning installation in Fair Oaks, CA, today for your free estimate!

Categorised in: AC Installation

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