Your air conditioning (AC) unit is supposed to regulate the humidity in your home. But if it doesn’t seem to be controlling the humidity, you need to find what causes the problem and immediately address it.
Controlling indoor humidity is more important now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus is found to thrive in very high and very low humidity, so you need to get a perfect balance. With that said, humidity should be between 40 and 60 percent of most spaces.
Here are the most common reasons behind an ineffective air conditioning system and how to make it right:
1. Your AC Unit Is Too Old to Handle the Load
Your AC ages through the years, and some parts may show signs of wear and tear. They may not work as efficiently as they used to before, thus failing to control your home’s humidity. Moreover, an AC that hasn’t been regularly maintained will show damage faster.
Your AC may display inconsistent temperatures and inadequate cooling that affect your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) humidity control. When that happens, you might need a repair or replacement.
2. Your AC Unit Is Too Big for the Space
The size of the room and your AC’s cooling capacity work together to provide you comfort. There is such a thing as your AC being too big for your space, which is why your AC does not work well enough.
It might seem counterintuitive if you’re not an HVAC expert, but an oversized AC system cannot control both temperature and humidity that well. That’s because the powerful compressor turns on and off most of the time, so the system never runs long enough to remove the moisture in the air.
Your AC has to be just the right size to control your home’s humidity properly. You’ll find that with a load calculation process. It’s better to have an HVAC company choose and install your AC rather than a builder since they are more knowledgeable about this particular thing. That way, you’re sure that it was done correctly.
3. You’re Using the Wrong Thermostat Setting
You won’t get rid of the extra humidity in your room if you set your thermostat’s setting to FAN ON. This setting actually means your fan runs continuously even when your AC is turned off. Moreover, a fan moving air but with a turned-off AC makes the humidity conditions worse. You might end up bringing back the moisture your AC has removed before it can drain away.
4. You Have Negative Air Pressure in Your Space
Negative air pressure happens when you have a flawed ventilation system, meaning that you are venting too much air from the space. Having a negative air pressure makes the air balance itself by drawing in more outside air.
When your humidity is at 70 or above, muggy air is drawn into your home. Your HVAC system could be compromised if your AC can’t keep up with the humidity. To correct this issue, you may need to change the design of your ventilation system.
Conclusion
Humidity can make your home uncomfortable, especially during summertime. Prevent your home from becoming a hot and humid tropical jungle by setting your AC right and ensuring it works well.
AutumnAir is a family-owned HVAC repair and replacement service in Birmingham, AL. We provide heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services to both residential and commercial places, ensuring that our clients stay comfortable and safe in the middle of an Alabama heatwave.
We’ll guarantee your AC keeps functioning the way it’s meant to. Let us take care of your AC needs, from simple maintenance to complex repairs and total replacement. Get in touch with us and let us know how we can help!