Your air conditioning system is your first line of defense against the heat, yes. But it does not cool your home by just pumping cold air into it, as many people believe. Instead, your AC system adds cool air while also removing heat and humidity. What this means is that your air conditioner can cool you off and reduce humidity levels in your home when running normally.
How Does My AC System Lower Humidity?
The evaporator coil in your air conditioning system is where the dehumidifying magic happens. Warm air from your home is pulled into the AC system before being blown over the evaporator coil. As you might know from science classes, humidity traps heat and warm air holds moisture. Think about the average winter – your hands probably get dry during the cold season because the air is colder and therefore less damp with moisture.
The evaporator coil in your AC system collects moisture from the warm air in the form of condensation, which collects on the coil before dripping into a condensate pan. From the pan, a condensate array will drain the excess moisture entirely. As a result, running your AC will not only cool the air by removing heat, but it will dehumidify it – lower the humidity levels – at the same time. It truly is one of the most useful and important systems in your home!
What to Do If Your AC Unit Isn’t Removing Humidity
If you are running your air conditioning unit but still feeling sticky and clammy, then something is wrong. It might be that there is simply too much moisture in the air and your AC system can’t compete with it. The other problem could be that there is a defect or inefficiency in your AC system that is causing the evaporator coil to fail, despite relatively low humidity levels in your home.
You should call upon an HVAC technician for a tune-up or repairs if your air conditioner isn’t lowering humidity as it should be. If you live in Fairfax, Virginia – a city that is no stranger to humidity from time to time – you can call 703-580-5325 and connect with Home Service Doctors. Our team would be happy to check out your AC system, spot the problem, and recommend a cost-effective solution!
