Does AC Affect Humidity Levels? Explained

Higher levels of moisture in your home can make it feel hotter. High humidity, both outdoors and indoors, can also harm your HVAC system. Frasier’s Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical is here to explain the problems high humidity can cause and the solutions you can use to protect your AC and wallet.

What Is Considered High Humidity?

Wisconsin summers can be brutal, but they can feel much worse when it’s humid. Humidity is a measurement of how much moisture is in the air, so the more moisture there is in the air in your home, the higher your humidity levels are.

Some moisture in your air is normal, but excess moisture can cause issues for your home and health. Your indoor humidity level should stay at around 40%. Anything higher than that is considered “high humidity.”

Signs of high humidity include:

• Foggy windows
• Condensation
• Musty odors
• Moist skin
• Mold and mildew growth

How Humidity Levels Affect AC Performance

Air conditioners remove hot air from your home and blow in fresh, cool air. They also reduce humidity by condensing water into a liquid and draining the excess. When humidity levels are high, your home will feel warmer than it is, canceling out your AC system’s cooling effect. This causes your AC to work harder for longer without getting the desired cooling effects.

Putting strain on your AC like this can lead to uneven cooling, increased wear and tear, and the need for repairs. High humidity levels also increase the risk of mold growth inside your ducts.

Reducing Humidity Levels In Your Home

If you’re worried about the humidity levels in your home, there are steps you can take. Ways to lower the moisture levels in your home include:

• Ensure your system is sized correctly: If your AC is too big for your home, its cooling cycles will be too short to effectively reduce the humidity levels.
• Use bathroom and kitchen vents: These rooms produce a lot of excess moisture, so using your ventilation fans while cooking or showering will help reduce moisture at the source.
• Get regular tune-ups and change your air filter: When your AC removes moisture from the air, it drips onto a condensate pan that can get clogged if it’s not maintained or the air quality in your home is poor. It’s important to schedule routine maintenance and change your filter every month.
• Install a dehumidifier: Dehumidifiers are a great way to control the moisture levels in your home. Whole-home dehumidifiers draw in humid air from various rooms throughout your home, remove the excess moisture, and recirculate dry air back into your space.

Choose Frasier’s for Dehumidifier Services

Dehumidifiers work to remove moisture from one area of your home. Whole-home dehumidifiers are larger units installed directly into your home’s HVAC system designed to control moisture levels throughout your house.

Whole-home dehumidifiers have a variety of benefits, including:

• Improved air quality
• Protection against mold and mildew growth
• Enhanced comfort and energy efficiency
• Preservation of home and furniture

The expert technicians at Frasier’s are proficient at providing unbeatable dehumidifier solutions. Our team has the experience and tools to help you select the right dehumidifier for your home and needs. We’ll discuss different types, models, and sizing considerations based on your home’s size and layout. Our professionals will then install your new whole-home dehumidifier quickly and efficiently.

Frasier’s has proudly served northern Wisconsin for over a century. Call (715) 804-0947 to schedule expert dehumidifier services.