Are you suffering from problems with humidity in your house? Contact SM Mechanical Services at (860) 530-2632.
Are you running your air conditioner but still feel like you’re living in a jungle? You’re probably wondering, “Why is my house humid with the AC on?” When your home is humid, don’t risk hurting your health, property, and comfort; there is a solution!
SM Mechanical Services is Glastonbury’s trusted HVAC contractor. Our expert technicians provide prompt and friendly service and can return your house to normal. We’re available for emergency repairs!
1. Dirty Condenser Coils
An AC unit’s condenser coils pump the refrigerant that cools the air. Without properly working coils, your air conditioner can’t function.
They’re also responsible for removing moisture from the air, directly reducing your home’s humidity. When they’re dirty, they don’t cool or dehumidify as effectively. Calling a professional to clean the coils is the first step in restoring a proper humidity level to your home.
2. Frozen Evaporator Coils
Evaporator coils cool the refrigerant and allow it to properly regulate your home. Occasionally they can freeze, preventing the coolant from doing its job or the coils from properly absorbing heat and moisture.
Left alone, frozen coils cause more serious damage to your air conditioner, so call an expert to repair the issue as soon as you notice it.
3. Improper Settings
Sometimes high humidity in your home is as simple as having the wrong settings on your thermostat or air conditioner! The more complicated the model, the more settings it has.
In particular, turning on an energy-saving mode can reduce the coolness or dryness of your air. Also, check to make sure it’s set to “cool” rather than “fan only.”
4. Old Air Conditioner
If you’re asking, “Why is my house humid with the AC on?” check the age of your air conditioner. With proper maintenance, your AC unit should last between 15 and 20 years. If it’s older than that, and you notice a lot of humidity in your home, you might require a new unit if you want to restore comfort to your home.
5. Excessive Outdoor Humidity
The good news is that sometimes the humidity isn’t caused by an air conditioner problem. If the weather outside is extremely hot and stormy, or the humidity is excessive, your air conditioner might have trouble keeping up inside.
The summer in Glastonbury can become uncomfortably humid. If your air conditioner consistently has trouble moderating the humidity, call SM Mechanical Services, and we’ll help you find a proper-sized air conditioner to meet your needs.
6. Crowded Home
When you have guests, the moisture in your home increases from perspiration, body heat, and respiration. While your air conditioner performs adequately with just your family, additional people can strain it.
7. Bathing and Cooking
Much like extra people in your house, bathing or cooking increases the amount of moisture in the air. To mitigate the issue, run any fans or ventilation units while you cook or bathe. Consider running an additional dehumidifier during these activities.
Problems Caused by High Humidity
While it may seem a natural part of our environment and climate, excessive and prolonged humidity has detrimental effects on your health and property. If your air conditioner can’t adequately moderate the moisture in the air, keep your home safe by consulting a professional.
Health Problems
High humidity can cause throat and skin irritation and leave you dehydrated. It increases the potential for overheating, putting you at risk for heat exhaustion or heat stroke. It can also lower your energy and leave you feeling exhausted or lethargic. Additionally, it allows moisture buildup, which can cause problems like mold and exacerbate your allergies. Prolonged exposure leaves you vulnerable to new acute or chronic conditions.
Property Damage
Humidity from the air can damage every area of your house. The biggest risk is mold and mildew growth from accumulating moisture. The mold most often forms on your bathroom tile or curtains but can also penetrate deep into your walls and floor, rotting your structure over time.
Excessive moisture also causes paint and wallpaper to peel or furniture made from certain woods to warp or crack.
Air Conditioner Damage
As your air conditioner works harder to cool the air, it not only raises your energy bills but also rapidly ages your unit and HVAC system. This leads to more frequent cycling and replacing the AC unit earlier than normal.
Fixing Your Humidity Issues
You have several options for reducing the humidity in your home.
Upgrade Your Unit
Different types and sizes of air conditioners can cool and dehumidify different sizes of houses and numbers of people. If you experience consistently high humidity, a newer or upgraded unit could provide permanent relief.
Add Support
You can help your air conditioner by lightening the load. Add additional dehumidifiers in rooms more vulnerable to moisture. Some dehumidifiers can integrate with your entire HVAC system. If the humidity outside is lower, crack open a couple of windows and create a cross breeze.
Reduce Risk
You can reduce your risk of interior high humidity by running exhaust fans when you cook or bathe and taking shorter showers. Make sure your insulation is adequate, and keep the doors to your rooms closed.
Call for Repairs
If your humidity is high because of an air conditioner issue, calling for repairs quickly restores your home to comfort.
Contact SM Mechanical Services for All Your Air Conditioning Needs
Even if you know the answer to, “Why is my house humid with the AC on?” you may find yourself facing other questions. Whether you’re wondering, “Do mini-splits dehumidify?” or “How long should my air conditioner last?” SM Mechanical Services is here to answer all your inquiries.
Our certified experts offer the best quality service in the Glastonbury area and can make emergency repairs. We can’t wait to prove why we’re number one. Call us at (860) 530-2632 to schedule an appointment today. Lower your humidity and get help from our experts.