How Does Humidity Impact Cooling Peformance?

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.

The Way Humidity Hurts Your AC’s Performance

Most air conditioners don’t actually provide cool air. Instead, they remove heat and moisture from your home. When the humidity level is high, the AC consumes more energy to remove all the excess moisture. If the AC doesn’t have the correct cooling capacity, it can’t remove all of the moisture, and indoor comfort is reduced.

Essentially, high humidity levels make it nearly impossible for the AC to achieve a cooling effect. The AC has to continually run to keep the home cool. And even when it’s cool, it won’t feel cool because of all the extra moisture in the air. This adds a lot of wear and tear to the system, which can result in costly repairs and replacements.

You can look for the following signs to tell if your home has high humidity levels:

• Clammy air
• Foggy windows
• A musty odor

How to Combat High Humidity Levels

One of the easiest ways to combat high humidity levels and stay cool is to use a dehumidifier. The device will take the moisture out of the air, making your home feel cooler. The AC won’t have to work as hard to cool your home, which will improve cooling efficiency and reduce cooling expenses. A dehumidifier can often be added to an existing HVAC system.

You can speak with one of our HVAC technicians at Willard Heating, Cooling & Plumbing about adding a dehumidifier to your existing cooling system. Give us a call today at 972-564-9785 to learn more about the ways humidity impacts air conditioning performance.

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