Can You Reduce Humidity by Running the Air Conditioner?

Too much humidity can create various problems, such as mold growth, musty rooms, structural problems, and an uncomfortable muggy feeling. That’s why it’s important to balance humidity if you want to improve indoor air quality and home comfort. 

The ideal relative humidity level is about 30 to 50 percent. Summer is usually the toughest time of year to stick within this range. Thankfully, 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, along with ideas to balance indoor humidity levels. 

How Air Conditioning Removes Humidity 

Contrary to what you might think, your air conditioner doesn’t put in 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 flows through the ductwork and travels over the evaporator coil containing cold refrigerant. 
  • The refrigerant soaks up heat, and the moisture in the air condenses on the coil. 
  • The condensation falls into the condensate pan beneath the evaporator coil and drains away from your home. 
  • Cooler, dehumidified air flows into your home. 

Tips to Reduce Humidity 

Using the air conditioner will sometimes be sufficient to bring the relative humidity below 50 percent in dry climates. But if high humidity is still a problem in your home, try again with these tips. 

Ventilate Correctly 

Turn on the exhaust fan in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room when you shower, cook and wash clothes. This form of ventilation eliminates humidity at the source to keep these rooms a cooler temperature. You can also open a window when it’s comfortable outside to let in fresh air. 

Wipe Up Standing Water 

Wet shower tiles, kitchen counters and laundry room floors elevate indoor humidity and could promote mold growth. Wipe up standing water promptly to protect against these problems. 

Run a Dehumidifier 

If you grapple with extreme humidity in the summer, consider 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 operate separately from the AC to remove humidity on milder days without turning on the air conditioner. This approach saves you money and prevents that “cool but clammy” feeling. 

Set the AC Fan to Auto 

The condensation that collects on the evaporator coil needs time to build up 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 better to set the fan to “auto” so it only runs when the AC compressor switches on. You should be able to change this setting easily on your thermostat. 

Replace the Air Filter Consistently 

A clogged filter traps dust and debris and can encourage mold growth if it becomes wet. This introduces moisture and mold spores into your home each time the AC turns on. Change the air filter once a month or as encouraged by the manufacturer to reduce indoor humidity and improve air quality. 

Fine Tune the Fan Speed 

Optimizing the fan speed can be tricky. Strong airflow helps the AC sustain cooling demand on the hottest days, but this may lead to shorter cycles that minimize the chance of effective dehumidification. Speak with an HVAC technician to help you select the right fan speed for your comfort needs. 

Clean the Evaporator Coil 

A grimy coil can’t cool and dehumidify well. If your air conditioner is having trouble sustaining the preferred temperature, call our HVAC specialists to inspect your cooling system and clean the evaporator coil. Cooling and dehumidifying efficiency should improve as a result. 

Check the Refrigerant Charge 

A depleted supply of refrigerant can impede your air conditioner’s ability to do its job. Left ignored, serious issues like a frozen evaporator coil or compressor failure might occur. Only a qualified HVAC technician can solve refrigerant leaks and refresh the system as necessary, offering you another reason to schedule an AC tune-up. 

Exchange Your Air Conditioner 

If your home has constant comfort problems and your air conditioner is wearing down, it may be time to look for a new one. Choose a new AC unit with advanced features, like a thermal expansion valve (TXV) and variable blower motor. A TXV provides the exact amount of refrigerant consistent with the air temperature, and a variable blower motor adjusts the fan speed to suit demand. Both features improve cooling and dehumidifying efficiency. 

Manage Indoor Humidity with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 

If you decide it’s time to install a whole-house dehumidifier or replace your air conditioning, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help. Our HVAC services are tailored to optimize 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 call us today.