Everyone looks forward to this time of year when the sun is out and temperatures warm up. Along with those warmer temperatures comes humidity.

This spring, find out how to use your air conditioner to lower humidity levels in your home.

Humidity

Humidity makes its way inside if your home is poorly ventilated, insulated, or is not property sealed for protection against the elements.

That uncomfortable, wet feeling that comes along with extra moisture makes your home feel much hotter than the actual temperature.

Excessive humidity not only makes you feel uncomfortable, but over time, can negatively impact structural components of your home and makes you a prime target for a mold infestation.

How Your Air Conditioner Lowers Humidity

The hotter it gets outside, the more humid it can get inside.

To reduce indoor temperatures and humidity, set your thermostat to the “cooling” setting. The lower you set the temperature, the cooler it will get and the faster the humidity levels drop.

It’s better to set the temperature to about 75 degrees during the day when no one is home to prevent the house from getting miserably hot and humid during the day.

It takes a lot more energy to cool down an extremely hot house versus keeping a constant temperature of 75 degrees and cooling down from there. It also saves wear and tear on your HVAC system.

To use your AC to specifically dry out instead of cooling down the air, especially in spring, set your thermostat two or three degrees less than your normal setting. By lowering the temperature and running the fan, you’ll dry up the humid air without cooling.

Turn the fan setting on the thermostat to “auto” instead of “on.” Your AC fan will kick in only when the temperature rises above the temperature you’ve programmed into the thermostat. If your thermostat has a setting for “dry mode,” you can set it there, too.

Running the fan only is also beneficial to dry up any moisture collected on the evaporator coil without re-circulating back into your home.

AC Troubleshooting

If you notice any of the following issues, here are some troubleshooting tips.

Dampness

If your home still feels damp even with the AC running, there may be an issue with a part, hose, or other mechanical issue. Call an HVAC technician for service to identify and repair the issue.

Clogged Filter

The number one place to start anytime you have issues with your HVAC system is with the filter. If your filter is dirty or clogged, you’ll notice your AC kicking in more frequently and/or running for longer periods of time.

This is hard on your HVAC system because it’s working extra hard to cool down the house because of the clogged filter. This can shorten the efficiency and lifespan of your entire system.

Maintenance

If it’s been a year or more since your last maintenance check, call to schedule a service appointment with your HVAC company.

One-Two Punch to Bust Humidity

Running a dehumidifier along with your AC really helps to knock out excessive moisture/humidity levels in your home. Running both can make your home feel up to 10 degrees cooler.

Conclusion

For more solutions to reducing moisture and humidity levels in your home in Santa Rosa, contact the AC experts at Dale HCS.