Can You Reduce Humidity by Running the Air Conditioner?

Unwanted humidity can cause various problems, including mold growth, musty smells, structural problems, and an uncomfortable muggy feeling. That’s why it’s necessary to balance humidity if you hope to increase indoor air quality and home comfort. 

The recommended relative humidity level is around 30 to 50 percent. Summer is usually the toughest time of year to stay inside this range. Thankfully, 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, along with ideas to balance indoor humidity levels. 

How Air Conditioning Removes Humidity 

Contrary to popular belief, your air conditioner doesn’t increase cool, dry air in your home—it takes out heat and humidity. The process necessitates refrigerant, which stores heat and moisture effectively from the indoor air. Here’s how it works: 

• Indoor air rushes through the ductwork and passes over the evaporator coil filled with cold refrigerant. 
• The refrigerant absorbs 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. 
• Cool, dehumidified air flows into your home. 

How to Reduce Humidity 

Turning on the air conditioner will sometimes be adequate to lower the relative humidity beneath 50 percent in dry climates. But if high humidity is still a problem in your home, consider these tips. 

Ventilate Correctly 

Use the exhaust fan in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room when you shower, cook and wash clothes. Spot ventilation removes humidity at the source to keep these rooms comfortable. You can also open a window when it’s milder outside to let in fresh air. 

Wipe Up Standing Water 

Water on shower tiles, kitchen counters and laundry room floors elevate indoor humidity and may stimulate mold spores. Clean up standing water promptly to avoid these problems. 

Install a Dehumidifier 

If you struggle with extreme humidity in the summer, consider installing a whole-house dehumidifier that performs in tandem with your air conditioner to make every room more comfortable. A whole-house system can even operate separately from the AC to remove humidity on mild days without running the air conditioner. This method saves you money and doesn’t leave you with that “cool but clammy” feeling. 

Flip the AC Fan to Auto 

The condensation that gathers on the evaporator coil needs time to accumulate and trickle away. If you run the air conditioning fan continuously, the moisture won’t be able to leave your home. That’s why it’s better to set the fan to “auto” so it is only on when the AC compressor switches on. You should be able to find this setting easily on your thermostat. 

Replace the Air Filter Consistently 

An old filter traps dust and debris and could encourage mold growth if it becomes wet. This introduces moisture and mold spores into your home any time the AC is running. Exchange the air filter every month or as recommended by the manufacturer to lower indoor humidity and increase air quality. 

Fine Tune the Fan Speed 

Refining the fan speed can be tricky. Strong airflow helps the AC meet your cooling demand on particularly hot days, but this can result in shorter cycles that block effective dehumidification. Coordinate with an HVAC technician to help you select the right fan speed for your comfort requirements. 

Check the Cleanliness of the Evaporator Coil 

A dirty coil can’t cool and dehumidify effectively. If your AC is having trouble reaching 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 capabilities should improve as a result. 

Verify the Refrigerant Charge 

Low refrigerant can hinder your air conditioner’s ability to perform its job. Left unchecked, serious issues including a frozen evaporator coil or compressor failure can happen. Only a skilled HVAC technician can solve refrigerant leaks and replenish the system as necessary, lending you another reason to arrange an AC tune-up. 

Exchange Your Air Conditioner 

If your home has continuous comfort issues and your air conditioner is wearing down, it may be time to look for a new one. Pick a new AC unit with innovative features, such as a thermal expansion valve (TXV) and variable blower motor. A TXV provides the perfect amount of refrigerant determined by the air temperature, and a variable blower motor increases or decreases the fan speed to suit demand. Both features enhance cooling and dehumidifying performance. 

Balance Indoor Humidity with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 

If you think it’s time to get a whole-house dehumidifier or replace your air conditioner, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Our HVAC services are tailored to maximize home comfort and energy efficiency for your long-term satisfaction. To share questions or request a visit from one of our experienced heating and cooling technicians, please give us a call today.