Having multiple homeowner clients in a tropical climate, I’ve always found managing humidity in my home during humid, hot summers quite challenging. The air conditioning units in our homes are often cranked to full blast to maintain a relaxed and refreshing atmosphere. But, have you ever wondered why, despite the AC functioning at total capacity, your space still feels muggy instead of refreshing?
You’ll find the answer in this blog post.
Who Faces Most Humidity Issues?
I’ve learned that optimal humidity levels allow us to maintain comfort in our living spaces. Yet, when they exceed, they do more damage than benefit residents. You have to check these levels in both summer and winter.
Whenever it’s cold weather, we turn up the heat. This drastically reduces indoor humidity levels because the furnace’s heat eats up the extra moisture in the air.
As a result, it leaves us with itchy skin, rough textures, and dry eyes. On the island where our client lives, rainy days and demographic factors can complicate things further. That’s how it affects their everyday life.
Similarly, high humidity can lead to increased body heat, dehydration, and fatigue—problems that modern technology like dehumidifiers and attic insulation aims to control.
What Defines Humidity?
When you think about humidity in your house, it’s not just a technical term; it’s a daily reality that affects our health and the moisture levels in our homes. Humidity measures the amount of water vapor in the air. Whether you’re feeling uncomfortably warm or pleasantly cool, the moisture around you plays a big part. Remember, when the air is cool, around 70°F, you might not notice the humidity, but it’s there!
2 Major Types of Humidity
1. Relative Humidity (RH)
First is relative humidity, or RH, which is how we usually measure humidity. This percentage expresses how much water vapor the air currently holds compared to the total amount it could have at that temperature.
To get a clearer idea of this concept, take the air as a paper towel—there’s only so much moisture it can absorb before it feels soaked. But here’s the catch: as temperature changes, so does the air’s ability to hold moisture.
Have you got it?
On a warm or rainy day, the air can hold a higher mass of moisture, so it often feels more humid as temperatures rise.
2. Absolute Humidity
On the other hand, Absolute Humidity doesn’t care about temperature. It simply refers to the total mass of water vapor in the air, whether inside or outside your home. This measurement is less about how you feel and more about the actual water content in the air. This one is crucial for understanding how air conditioning systems maintain indoor temperature.
How Tech Can Help Us?
For example, a neighbor uses a humidity alerting device that sends text and email notices when the humidity exceeds a certain threshold. It’s a great example of how technology can help us stay informed and mitigate potential damage due to unchecked humidity. Despite these tools, functioning gadgets wear over time and may not always be controlled.
Therefore, understanding that cooler air does not mean lower humidity and adjusting our approach can save us from many disastrous issues.
7 Reasons Why Humidity in House with Air Conditioning
1. Debris Buildup
Let’s explore what happens inside your AC when dirt and debris accumulate. It’s common to overlook the importance of keeping your air filters clean.
However, your AC system will struggle to function if it becomes dirty and covered in dust. Just like you’re trying to breathe with a scarf wrapped tightly around your mouth, that’s how your AC feels in this situation.
To prevent the system from dispersing hot air through the outdoor vents, an accumulation of muggy air. You have to replace the HEPA filter regularly to avoid this issue later.
2. Improper System Size for Your Home
Have you ever bought shoes that were the wrong size? Too big, and you’re you’ll trip over them; too small, and they’ll pinch. The same principle applies to your air conditioning system. A unit too big for your space will cool your house too quickly without completing the necessary dehumidification cycles.
Conversely, an undersized AC can lack the power required to dehumidify the air in larger rooms. To avoid these issues, you can calculate the home’s exact measurements for the HVAC setup.
Size | Range | Value | Quality | Rating | Temperature | Level | Price Range |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Small | 100-200 | 8 | Good | 1 | Mild | 1 | 5,000 – 6,000 |
Small | 100-200 | 10 | Poor | 2 | Hot | 2 | 6,000 – 7,000 |
Medium | 200-300 | 8 | Good | 2 | Mild | 2 | 7,000 – 8,000 |
Medium | 200-300 | 10 | Average | 2 | Hot | 2 | 8,000 – 9,000 |
Medium | 300-400 | 8 | Good | 3 | Cold | 3 | 9,000 – 10,000 |
Medium | 300-400 | 10 | Poor | 4 | Mild | 4 | 10,000 – 12,000 |
Hefty | 400-500 | 8 | Average | 4 | Hot | 3 | 12,000 – 14,000 |
Hefty | 400-500 | 10 | Good | 3 | Cold | 2 | 14,000 – 16,000 |
Hefty | 500-600 | 8 | Poor | 5 | Mild | 4 | 16,000 – 18,000 |
Hefty | 500-600 | 10 | Good | 4 | Hot | 5 | 18,000 – 20,000 |
3. Thermostat Issues
When tackling issues of high indoor humidity, a silent cause can be the thermostat. It’s a small device that significantly impacts your home’s climate. Checking if your thermostat is set to “auto” rather than “on” is an excellent first step.
When set to “auto,” your AC works efficiently, continuously cooling and acting as a dehumidifier. This setting allows the system to run through necessary dehumidification cycles and keeps your space cool and refreshing. Conversely, the “on” setting makes your system run around the clock.
4. Water Leakage
I’ve noticed that leaky pipes can be another silent culprit behind escalating humidity. It’s easy to overlook a small leak, but the accumulated water from these leaks raises the relative humidity levels. Over time, the water evaporates, blending with your home’s air and pushing the humidity levels even higher.
5. Indoor Plants
For all good reasons, I love indoor plants, as they add aesthetics to the home interior and are ideal for modern home decor. Unfortunately, they can act as a snowball effect and, in turn, contribute to humidity. The more you water the indoor plants, the more they may produce water vapor in the environment. That’s why I try to water when the windows are open, and the weather is a bit warmer.
6. Malfunctioning of Evaporator Coils
Evaporator coils malfunction when they suffer from prolonged usage or debris buildup. Moisture can settle on the coils and eventually freeze, hindering your system’s ability to extract heat and humidity. Meanwhile, if you notice this happening, consult a Ventiluxes HVAC technician to save your system from lasting damage and don’t have to bear the costly replacement.
7. Your System is Too Old
Sometimes, the cause of high humidity levels in your home is simply that your AC is too old. Over years of operating, any system will begin to show wear and tear. Once your AC hits that ripe age—usually around 15 years—you might notice hot, humid air coming from the vents. This is a sign that it’s going out of order and may need to be replaced.
Although replacing an entire system is never fun, discussing it with the right people can help you through the process and find a suitable replacement.
Ideal Humidity Level For Home
I hope you have an idea of the root causes of indoor humidity. But what are the ideal levels you should maintain in their home?
Well, the indoor humidity level depends upon the area they live in. Yet, to get maximum comfort, it should stay between 45% and 55%. The International Home Watch Alliance and Carefree Home Watch recommend keeping it around 50% to avoid bacterial and mite growth.
When the humidity rises above this standard, they thrive easily. Meanwhile, it can damage your furniture and belongings, cause cracks or warping in wood fixtures on your walls, and cause mold to grow.
What Happens in High Humidity?
In summer, high humidity in an air-conditioned home can make the air feel muggy and uncomfortable. This excess moisture can lead to a foul, mildew odor and promote mold and bacterial growth.
It significantly worsens breathing issues for people with allergies or asthma. It also causes many homeowners to crank up the heat in the winter. When your living space feels clammy, it’s a sign that the humidity is too high.
What Happens in Low Humidity?
Conversely, low humidity can adversely affect your health and your home. Dry air can damage your skin and respiratory system, drying out your nose, eyes, and lips and leading to discomfort and nosebleeds.
How to Control the Humidity Levels in Your Home?
Tip # 1: Install a Radiant Barrier in Your Attic
You can consider installing a radiant barrier in your attic. This barrier reflects thermal radiation and reduces heat accumulation, resulting in a more stable temperature.
As an expert in home improvement, I’ve seen firsthand how this addition can enhance the efficiency of ACs.
Tip # 2: Upgrade Your Dehumidifier
Homeowners looking to achieve the optimal 45% to 55% relative humidity levels should upgrade their dehumidifier. Modern units integrate seamlessly into their existing HVAC systems and remove excess moisture.
Plus, these contemporary designs often come with features that allow you to monitor and adjust settings remotely via Wi-Fi—a convenient solution for anyone.
Tip # 3: Schedule Wise Maintenance of HVAC
If you care about your HVAC system, it will never disappoint you. I cannot emphasize this enough. Scheduling regular tune-ups and cleaning your system will reduce the headache of inspecting repeatedly.
Enjoy your environment!
Leave a Reply