As the spring progresses in St. Louis, the heat and humidity rise and people will begin to use their air conditioner to keep cool and comfortable in their homes. Humidity levels can affect your HVAC system and comfort level year-round, in cold and hot weather.
Air conditioners are responsible for pulling humidity from the air, which takes a toll over time on the system and can affect performance during warmer months. We have outlined some issues below that coincide with humidity around St. Louis, and we have provided solutions for keeping your home at optimal comfort levels no matter the season.
To learn more about improving the efficacy of your air conditioner system, do not hesitate to call us today at 314-993-1110 and have one of our heating & air conditioning technicians in St. Louis perform a service check.
Air Conditioning Systems and Humidity: What Do You Need to Know?
When your air conditioner is functioning properly, it removes excess heat and humidity from your home, leaving you in cool comfort. However, if the unit is not operating as expected, you will miss out on the comfort you desire, regardless of what temperature you have set the thermostat at.
The higher the humidity level, the harder your air conditioning system has to work to maintain the same level of comfort. When a unit is older, operating inefficiently, or the improper size for your home, it may be unable to function as expected. Your household can feel warmer than it is when too much moisture is left in the air. The air conditioner will work harder and for longer periods of time, which leads to increased wear and tear and potentially higher utility bills.
Another factor to keep in mind is that bigger is not always better, and a large capacity air conditioner is not the immediate answer to keeping your home cool. In fact, if an air conditioner is too large for the space, it may cycle off before it has the opportunity to properly remove humidity in your home. Schedule an appointment with a licensed professional to learn about the ideal size for your home.
If you currently have an air conditioner that it is not producing the results you want, one of the issues is likely too much moisture in the air. Some easy factors to identify excess humidity include:
- Air inside your home feels damp or moist
- Some areas of your home smell musty or damp
- The insides of your windows are foggy or collect moisture
If any of these issues are present, you should take action to address the humidity levels in your home.
Dehumidify Your Home
Before summer hits in St. Louis, have an action plan to deal with humidity before it becomes a larger issue in the hot, moist months of summer. During the summer, experts recommend having a 60% or less humidity level for ideal indoor satisfaction.
A reliable and adequate way to address moisture concerns around your home is to have a professional install a dehumidifier. This attaches onto your HVAC unit and will work with the air conditioner to remove excess moisture before the air is pulled through the ductwork and into your house. A certified professional will be able to choose a dehumidifier that will be compatible to your current air conditioner, or if you are installing a new air conditioning system, it would be a wise move to get a dehumidifier installed simultaneously. This will prevent your unit form overworking to maintain optimal humidity and temperature levels, and prolong its life.
Another solution is to buy a stand-alone dehumidifier unit which you can use a manual indicator to adjust the humidity level. This will require you to pay attention to the level of humidity and turn on the dehumidifier as needed.
Both of these options will help your air conditioner unit operate at maximum efficiency without them being overworked, thus extending its lifetime and increasing your comfort level.
Contact Us Today to Learn More About Optimizing Your Air Conditioner
If you think you may need to have your air conditioner inspected or you are interested in learning more about how you can control humidity levels in your home, contact our St. Louis heating & air conditioning experts today to schedule an appointment!
