AC and humidity don’t go well together. When there is too much moisture in the air inside your home, it can make life miserable. Especially when you live in the subtropical climate of Florida, humidity can be a serious issue.
And it doesn’t only effect our property and cause water damage, it can also negatively affect us! Instead of being productive, we feel sluggish, unable to handle our responsibilities. Besides affecting our motivation, experiencing discomfort can be problematic for our health too.
With humidity levels above 60%, fungus may grow in your home, causing eye irritation, viruses, dry throat, wheezing, difficulty breathing, fever, and shortness of breath. In addition, it can lead to increased susceptibility to asthma attacks.
With too much water vapor in the air, we can become dehydrated because it interferes with our bodies natural cooling mechanisms, making the air feel much hotter than it is. As a result, rapid shifts in humidity may lead to skin irritation, eczema, and dermatitis. If that isn’t bad enough, moisture may accumulate in our carpets, becoming a breeding ground for dust mites.
When your body begins to recognize and react negatively to the change in moisture levels, this may be a sign that your AC unit is in distress.
How Humidity Affects Your AC System
Although HVAC systems are made to remove the moisture and heat from the air, it struggles when humidity levels surge and remain that way for extended periods. And things can get sticky.
AC malfunctioning typically originates from the system’s evaporator coils. Once the warm air passes the coils, it leaves some water behind. Then, it drips off into the condensation pan and exits through the drain. If your system is producing muggy air, this is a sign of moisture accumulation.
Other humidity-related AC issues include:
1. Reduced cooling efficiency
During hot summer days in Florida, the AC will not function as well. The warm air negates the cooling effect, thereby limiting the cooling efficiency of your system.
2. Strained AC unit
When moisture levels spike your AC will require more energy to use. As a result, this may increase your energy costs and reduce the lifespan of the unit due to the ongoing stress in the system.
3. Mold & bacteria growth
With increased humidity, you run the risk of mold and bacteria growing not only within your home, but in the AC ducts. A sign of this is reduced indoor air quality, along with wet spots on your walls and ceilings. Ultimately, this can damage your sheetrock and AC if you don’t consult a professional.
4. Debris buildup
With high humidity, the air filter gets clogged with dirt and debris. If this happens, the air filter needs to be replaced to prevent the system from overworking itself.
5. Frozen evaporator coils
If there is debris buildup in your filter, there could be a problem with your unit’s internal components. Since the evaporator coils are responsible for cooling the air before expulsion from the vents, they can freeze over time.
Ultimately, this will lead to hot air being pumped through your home, adding to the preexisting humidity.
Combating Humidity
One way to prevent moisture is to purchase a dehumidifier that can be integrated into your HVAC system. To further improve your air quality, make sure your home is properly weatherized so that no cool air escapes. Also, on the muggiest days, avoid using the oven or dryer because it only adds steam into an already uncomfortable environment.
Secondly, if you want to monitor the humidity levels to ensure your home does not exceed 60%, you can use a hygrometer that measures the amount of vapor in the air.
Consult the experts about your AC and humidity!
Instead of living with discomfort and health issues, Action Air Conditioning can provide you with quick consultations and repairs. Our professionals will resolve your AC’s issues reliably with honesty and integrity.
Call Action Air Conditioning today to book your free estimate!