Staying Cool When Humidity Levels Are High

Excessive humidity can greatly reduce indoor comfort. The more moisture there is in the air, the hotter it feels. During the summer, humidity levels tend to be at their highest. And since the humidity makes you feel warmer, you may find yourself constantly adjusting the thermostat to stay cool. The more you do this, the harder the cooling system has to work to cool your home, which increases cooling expenses. Fortunately, a dehumidifier reduces indoor moisture and makes it easier for your air conditioner to cool your Lakewood, Texas, home.

It’s true what the say: it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity! During the summer, when humidity levels increase, it can be hard to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. The more moisture in the air, the hotter you feel, and the more you are inclined to crank up the AC to stay cool. The lower you set the AC temp, the harder your unit has to work to cool your home. Working harder puts extra stress on your unit and increases your energy costs. Fortunately, there’s a way to combat high humidity, maintain cool temps, and keep your air conditioning unit running efficiently.

How does Humidity Impact Your Air Conditioner?

Do you know how you AC unit actually works? It doesn’t add cool air to your home, as most people assume, but instead removes heat and moisture. So, it stands to reason, when humidity levels are high – both outdoors and indoors -your unit has to work that much harder, removing both heat and excess moisture from the air. High indoor humidity levels means the AC unit has to run continually to keep the home cool and even then, you’re not likely to feel that much cooler, with excess moisture in the air. Extra strain on your AC unit causes unnecessary wear and tear on your unit, which can lead to expensive repairs and shorten the life of your unit.

One of the simplest ways to assist your unit it to use a dehumidifier. When the dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, now the AC unit doesn’t have work so hard, reducing the energy it consumes removing excess moisture. How can you tell if your indoor humidity levels are high?

• The air indoors feels stick and clammy
• Your windows fog up
• You can smell a slight musty or mildewy odor

Any of these signs is an indicator of high indoor humidity levels. Consider running a dehumidifier to aid your AC unit. Depending on your unit, sometimes a dehumidifier can be added to the existing system, to keep it all running together smoothly.

Is the humidity in your home posing a problem? Let Appliance Doctor assess the situation and provide a cooling solution. One of the best ways ensure proper functioning of your AC unit is with a Maintenance Agreement. With a maintenance agreement, Appliance Doctor will provide regular inspections of your AC unit, including checking humidity levels, to ensure that your AC unit is running efficiently.