How High Humidity Strains Your Air Conditioner

August 9, 2022

Leesburg, FL, is no stranger to high humidity, with summertime levels often averaging between 70% and 80% relative. Because of the heat and humidity, you depend on your air conditioner to keep you not only comfortable but safe. Discover how high humidity strains your air conditioner and your options to better control it:

Understanding Your Air Conditioner and Humidity

To begin, it’s important to understand the relationship between your air conditioner and humidity. As the evaporator coil inside your home gets cold, some moisture from the air condenses and falls to the pan. The higher the humidity, the less effective your air conditioner is at reducing the relative humidity reading.

Increased Energy Consumption

Heat and humidity generally come together, with higher humidity usually accompanying higher heat. This means your compressor has to work harder to raise the refrigerant’s temperature enough to vent the heat it absorbed. The harder your compressor has to work, the more energy it consumes.

Trips Safety Switches

When that condensate drips from the inside coil, it lands on a special drip pan that comes with a drain. However, too much condensate will build up in the drip pan, which can make it overflow. To prevent this, some air conditioners have a safety switch that shuts down the system when the pan’s full.

Freezes Evaporator Coils

Too much humidity creates more moisture on the indoor evaporator coils, which can cause them to freeze. Frozen coils restrict airflow through the system, reducing its efficiency. It can also damage the coils, leading to expensive AC repairs.

Best Way to Control Your Humidity

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the ideal indoor humidity is between 30% and 50% relative. The best way to control your home’s humidity is to install a whole-house dehumidifier with your HVAC system.

Keep your home’s humidity at bay by installing a whole-house dehumidifier. Call to schedule a consultation with one of the indoor air quality experts at DeSantis Appliance & AC Service INC today.

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