Your air conditioner naturally removes some moisture from the air as it cools your home. However, too much moisture can cause the system to work harder and accumulate damage. Read on for more on how too much HVAC moisture hurts your air conditioner and how you can recognize humidity issues.
Effects of HVAC Moisture and High Humidity
When the humidity in your home is too high, this means that the indoor air has too much ambient moisture. Your air-conditioning system will have a hard time keeping up with excess moisture in the air. High humidity will cancel out your AC system’s cooling effect, leaving your home feeling warmer and damp.
You may run your cooling system harder for longer but still not achieve the desired results. Your cooling bills will start creeping up as you set your thermostat lower and lower. High humidity shortens the useful life of your air conditioner over time.
AC coils remove humidity by condensing water vapor into a liquid and draining the excess. Most AC systems have a drain pan to collect the condensation. Excess humidity can overflow the drain pan and cause problems like mold growth or pose a fire risk.
So how can you know that the humidity in your house is too high? Watch out for the following:
- Foggy windows or condensation on mirrors
- A musty or damp smell in some parts of your home
- Indoor air feeling moist
- Mold and mildew problems in bathrooms, laundry rooms, or kitchens
- Wet spots on walls or ceilings
Experts recommend keeping indoor humidity levels below 60% in the summer.
If you have a problem with HVAC moisture and humidity in your home, you can install a whole-house dehumidifier. The dehumidifier works with your air conditioner to eliminate excess moisture from your house. Because high humidity levels affect your air conditioner’s mechanical elements, it’s a good idea to have your system cleaned and tuned up to get it back in shape.
As you can see, too much HVAC moisture has a significant effect on your HVAC system. If you need AC or dehumidification solutions in the Dayton area, contact Ace Hardware Home Services.
