Floridians are no strangers to humidity. The Sunshine State can frequently see humidity levels near 100% yikes.
Luckily, there are many ways to lower humidity in a house, and even your air conditioner can help. Ready? Here’s how to reduce humidity in the house.
What Should Humidity Be in a House?
The most comfortable humidity level is set around 30-50% humidity when indoors. This level is recognized as the most healthy as well and is optimal for comfort.
That’s all well and good but the optimal humidity level also varies depending on the season. If you’re wondering what should humidity be in the house in winter, know that 30-40% humidity is preferable to deal with cooler temperatures and avoid condensation.
5 ways to Lower Humidity in the House
1. Seal Windows and Doors
It may seem simple, but if your doors and windows are not sealed properly, it could lead to higher humidity levels. When the unit is running, it sucks all that hot, humid air from outside into your living area. Make sure windows and doors are sealed tightly. Check to see if the window seals are in good condition. If not, you should replace them. To check the seals around your doors, turn off the lights and check to see if light is coming in from around the seals. If you see light, you should consider replacing your door seals.
2. Use a Dehumidifier
The sole purpose of a standalone dehumidification system is to remove moisture from the air. A dehumidifier has a fan that pulls in the air which is then simultaneously exposed to a hot and cold coil, causing the air to condense and turn to water. The water is then disposed of through the drain line.
How to tell if you need a dehumidifier in your home:
- Condensation on the windows
- Your home always feels warmer than it is
- Your home smells musty or moldy smell
- Visible bacteria growth
3. Regular HVAC Maintenance
Have regular maintenance done to your HVAC system. A licensed technician will inspect your unit to ensure that the system is operating properly and has proper refrigerant levels. Lower refrigerant levels can cause a unit not to get cold enough to remove the humidity from your home.
4. Duct System Age and Condition
If your ductwork is leaking or not properly size, you could be air-conditioning your attic, which we don’t want to do. The age and condition of your ductwork plays a huge role in the humidity of your home. Leaking air into your attic or sucking air from your attic can greatly reduce the humidity removal. Install a Thermostat with
5. Dehumidification Controls
Many people wonder “Does an air conditioner remove humidity?” and the answer is yes! Although not its primary function, certain air conditioning systems can help dehumidify your home. How do you know if yours can? First, you need to find the right settings.
Certain air conditioners are equipped with a “dry mode” which slowly removes the excess moisture from the air when humidity levels are high.
There are many types of thermostats. Certain thermostats run solely to dehumidify the air. These thermostats run at lower airspeeds to remove the moisture. There are several different systems to choose from, and we can help you decide which one is best for your home.
A humid home isn’t usually a comfortable one. Homes closer to the water like St. Pete, Tarpon Springs, Safety Harbor, Dunedin, Honeymoon Island and Holiday should take note as the humidity levels are harder to control closer to the water. Let the professionals at Performance help you figure out which steps to take to lower your humidity, so you love living in your home.
Needless to say, if your AC is cooling but not removing humidity, your home’s comfort level could drastically decrease.
Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Removing Humidity?
Air conditioner humidity problems are always troublesome but also pretty easy to overcome. If your air conditioner is not dehumidifying, there could be a few reasons why. Here are some of the most common reasons your air conditioning unit may not be removing enough humidity from your home:
The AC unit is too large
If your air conditioner’s compressor unit is too big, it may be cooling your home too quickly. While this might not seem like a problem, if your home is cooled too quickly, your dehumidifier may not be able to keep up.
The dehumidifier is running too often
Sometimes the dehumidifier may run its cycle too often and result in ineffective dehumidification. If you suspect this is the problem, try resetting the humidistat and see if the moisture dissipates.
How to Fix Your AC Not Removing Humidity in 3 Steps
Fixing an inadequate dehumidifier can usually be done relatively simply, with just a little research and DIY magic. Here are a few ways you can lower the humidity in your home yourself:
Step 1. Verify Air Conditioner is Cooling.
Start by checking that the air conditioner is running appropriately by checking that the temperature is dropping normally as the system runs.
Step 2. Check for Water Leaks.
If your AC is cooling but not pulling out humidity, a leak can easily be causing moisture to find its way into your home and cause excess humidity. Find the source of the moisture to make sure that nothing strange is lurking within the system.
Step 3. Adjust Dehumidifier Settings.
If you cannot find the source of excess moisture, try adjusting the settings on your dehumidifier to increase the level of dehumidification.
When to Call a Professional
If you’ve tried reducing humidity levels in your home to no avail, call the experts at Performance.
It’s possible that your air conditioning system may be too large for your dehumidifier or you could have excess water seeping into your home, so call a professional today to discuss your options. One of our trained technicians will be able to quickly and effectively diagnose and repair any issues and get your home back to feeling comfortable.