Florida is known for a variety of things, such as beaches, seafood, shopping and sports. Whether you are vacationing or permanently residing in the southeast, you can always count on one lingering factor: humidity.
Humidity is an across-the-board, understood term that reminds people of just how wet the weather can get. Because of Florida’s rollercoaster weather, your home is essential to look out for when fighting those sticky days. With the help of your AC, the humidity will be a thing of the past.
High humidity may make it feel hotter in your home than it is. People rely on an air conditioner to cool down their home, but a lot of people don’t realize that an air conditioner dehumidifies simultaneously.
Here’s how it works:
Cooler Temperatures Naturally Reduce Moisture Level
Humid air is measured by “relative humidity,” which refers to the amount of gaseous moisture in the air. As the moisture in the air cools, it turns to liquid, usually in a droplet form.
Air conditioners contain a refrigerant that helps the process along. Essentially, air conditioners have unique coils that turn the refrigerant into gas. When mixed with warm air, condensation is naturally created. The cold air then dries this condensation as the air conditioner continues to push cool air through the home. This creates a colder environment where the humidity is dried out, radiating from the cooling system outward.
If your air conditioner is not removing humidity, consider having it checked for these issues:
Oversized Unit
The size of your AC unit is not about its actual size, but it’s about cooling capacity. A helpful tip for optimizing your AC effectiveness is to examine the size of your unit. With a larger unit, space will be cooled too quickly and not allow the complete process, including de-humidification, to occur.
Leaky Ductwork
Another source of extra humidity in the home is insecure or improper ductwork. It’s important to double-check the seals on ductwork and vents to prevent any leaks that could cause you to have an invasion of outside humidity.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
A common issue is a dirty evaporator coil. This integral part is what actually cools the refrigerant or coolant. If it is not cleaned routinely, it becomes insulated from the air and can no longer function properly.
Technicalities aside, there are a few pointers to further consider regarding your air conditioning.
Take time to do an annual check on your filters, coils and all other HVAC maintenance duties. By doing so, you will be correctly prepared for the seasons to come. Getting into a regular habit of thinking about humidity prevention never hurts, especially in Florida!
To ensure you do not have air conditioner humidity problems, it is critical to make sure all parts are functioning correctly. To inspect your unit or check your air conditioning humidity setting, call the professionals at Express Air.
