Can You Reduce Humidity by Running the Air Conditioner?

Excess humidity can create multiple problems, like mold and mildew, musty smells, structural issues, and an unpleasant muggy feeling. That’s why it’s essential to control humidity if you want to increase indoor air quality and home comfort. 

The perfect relative humidity level is between 30 to 50 percent. Summer is usually the most challenging time of year to stay in this range. Luckily, turning on the air conditioner can help. 

After all, air conditioning doesn’t solely cool your home—it also reduces humidity. Here’s info about how this works, alongside with recommendations to control indoor humidity levels. 

How Air Conditioning Lowers Humidity 

Contrary to popular belief, your air conditioner doesn’t add cool, dry air in your home—it eliminates heat and humidity. The process requires refrigerant, which soaks up heat and moisture effectively from the indoor air. Here’s the process: 

• Indoor air flows through the ductwork and all over the evaporator coil that contains cold refrigerant. 
• The refrigerant absorbs heat, and the moisture in the air condenses on the coil. 

• The condensation drips into the condensate pan underneath the evaporator coil and drains out of the system. 
• Cooled, dehumidified air flows into your home. 

Ways to Lower Humidity 

Turning on the air conditioner will sometimes be enough to bring the relative humidity below 50 percent in dry climates. But if high humidity is still a problem in your home, try 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 a cooler temperature. You can also open a window when it’s more temperate outside to draw in fresh air. 

Clean Up Standing Water 

Wet shower tiles, kitchen counters and laundry room floors elevate indoor humidity and will sometimes stimulate mold growth. Wipe up standing water promptly to prevent these problems. 

Install a Dehumidifier 

If you struggle with high humidity in the summer, think about installing a whole-house dehumidifier that operates in tandem with your air conditioner to make each room more comfortable. A whole-house unit can even function independently of the AC to eliminate humidity on mild days without running the air conditioner. This approach saves you money and prevents that “cool but clammy” feeling. 

Adjust the AC Fan to Auto 

The condensation that collects on the evaporator coil needs time to accumulate and flow away. If you are running the air conditioning fan constantly, the moisture won’t be able to leave your home. That’s why it’s more effective to flip the fan to “auto” so it is only running when the AC compressor switches on. You should be able to adjust this setting easily on your thermostat. 

Replace the Air Filter Consistently 

An old filter traps dust and debris and can 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 decrease indoor humidity and enhance air quality. 

Tweak the Fan Speed 

Refining the fan speed can be tricky. High airflow helps the AC keep up with cooling demand on particularly hot days, but this could lead to shorter cycles that block effective dehumidification. Work with an HVAC technician to help you choose the ideal fan speed for your comfort preferences. 

Check the Cleanliness of the Evaporator Coil 

A dirty coil can’t cool and dehumidify efficiently. If your cooling is having trouble reaching the desired temperature, get in touch with our HVAC specialists to maintain your cooling system and check the cleanliness of the evaporator coil. Cooling and dehumidifying capabilities should improve as a result. 

Verify the Refrigerant Charge 

A depleted supply of refrigerant can hinder your air conditioner’s ability to perform its job. Left ignored, major issues including a frozen evaporator coil or compressor failure might happen. Only a skilled HVAC technician can solve refrigerant leaks and replenish the system as needed, lending you another reason to request an AC tune-up. 

Replace Your Air Conditioner 

If your home has continuous comfort trouble and your air conditioner is getting old, it may be time to replace it. Pick a new AC system with advanced 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 adjusts the fan speed to suit demand. Both features reinforce cooling and dehumidifying effectiveness. 

Balance Indoor Humidity with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 

If you think it’s time to put in a whole-house dehumidifier or upgrade your air conditioner, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Our HVAC services are tailored to optimize home comfort and energy efficiency for your long-term satisfaction. To raise questions or schedule a visit from one of our experienced heating and cooling technicians, please contact us today.