Is Air Conditioning the Only Way to Battle Indoor Humidity?

As the weather in Central Florida warms up, the humidity also begins to increase. Uncontrolled indoor humidity can lead to serious problems for homeowners, including mold growth, potential moisture damage to your home’s interior, and related (and possibly serious) health issues. On the most basic level, indoor humidity makes your home uncomfortable, leading to that “sticky” feeling Floridians know so well.

While air conditioning does dehumidify your home – it was one of the main reasons AC was invented in the first place – your air conditioner’s primary job is controlling temperature, not humidity. AC alone won’t regulate all of the humidity in your home, according to Scott’s Heating & Air Conditioning, one of Central Florida’s leading AC companies.

This is especially true in Central Florida’s hot, humid climate. The humidity control provided by your AC system may not be sufficient to keep the indoor humidity at an acceptable and comfortable level of about 60 percent relative humidity when the temperature is 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you feel that the humidity in your home is too high, or if you are having mold, mildew or other moisture issues, you may want to take the following steps to further reduce indoor humidity:

1. Schedule a check-up of your AC system
   Contact your HVAC service provider to be sure that your air conditioner is working correctly. The service technician should check that drain lines are unobstructed and drip pans and coils are clean, as these can be breeding grounds for mold and mildew. A good time to do this is before the weather becomes very hot and your system is working harder and longer to cool.
2. Use a stand-alone dehumidifier
   If your home is energy efficient – tightly sealed with proper insulation and low-solar-gain windows – your AC won’t run as much. However, that means that during the time the AC is not running, your home also is not being dehumidified and the indoor humidity will rise. As a result, you may need a stand-alone dehumidifier.
3. Be sure to always use exhaust fans
   Whether you are bathing, cooking, running the washing machine or dryer, these activities produce a measurable amount of moisture. Ideally, exhaust fans for your stove, bathrooms, and clothes dryer should always vent directly outdoors. If you don’t have exhaust fans, you may want to investigate having them installed.
4. Don’t set the thermostat to “fan on”
   The “fan on” setting allows the fan to blow air constantly, whether or not the AC is cooling. This allows moist air back into your home and adds to indoor humidity.
5. Keep windows closed when the humidity outside is high
   Also, don’t use ventilative cooling during high humidity conditions. Again, this will only allow moisture back into your home.

If indoor humidity is a concern for you and your home, please consider contacting Scott’s Heating & Air Conditioning today. One of our qualified technicians will air quality and provide you with suggestions for helpful solutions.

Scott’s Heating & Air Conditioning is a full-service heating and air conditioning company and a Bryant® Factory Authorized Dealer in Central Florida. Whether you need repair, maintenance, or installation of a new heating or cooling system, we provide efficient, cost-effective, and professional service. When it’s hot, call Scott!

Categorised in: Air Conditioning