Does Outside Humidity Affect Air Conditioning?

Most people notice when high humidity makes it feel hot and wet outside, but does outside humidity affect air conditioning? The answer isn’t simple. It’s true that excess humidity can damage your system and negatively affect cooling efficiency, but that’s not the whole answer in most cases. 

Below, the experts from Premier Systems look at a few details surrounding humidity and your air conditioning. Alternatively, contact the team for reliable AC maintenance service in Bozeman!

How Does Humidity Affect HVAC Performance?

Moisture in the air absorbs heat, which is one reason high humidity can make temperatures feel hotter than they actually are. So, high indoor humidity means your AC system has to work much harder to reach desired temperature levels, and that puts a strain on your system’s components. For this reason, excess humidity commonly results in uneven cooling and an overheating system, which will require repairs.

Even worse, high humidity can easily make room for mold and algae growth in your system’s vents. Heat and moisture create the perfect breeding ground for organic growth, which will start to coat the insides of vents and more.

Does Outside Humidity Affect Air Conditioning Badly Enough to Cause Damage?

Aside from performance issues, high levels of humidity will damage your air conditioner in other ways. For example, excess moisture may cause sensitive components to rust, like the delicate evaporator and condenser coils. 

Moisture and condensation can also cause electrical components to short out. It commonly affects the main fan motor or compressor.

High Humidity Might Be Because Your Cooling Unit Is Too Large

Air conditioners cycle air through your house, playing a crucial role in controlling humidity levels. One common reason that humidity in your home might be high is because the air conditioner is too large. If so, the air conditioner won’t run a full cycle to cool your home before it shuts off. 

The result of a too-large unit will be inefficient cooling that doesn’t properly ventilate your house. So, to minimize the effect of outside humidity on your air conditioning, you need an air conditioner that can replace the total volume of air in your home during one cycle. 

The total amount of air that an air conditioning unit can move in a given unit of time is its cubic feet per minute metric. Most residential air conditioners have a CFM between 350 and 400. 

How to Tell If It’s Too Humid in Your House

Does outside humidity affect air conditioning inside the home? Aside from the obvious wet feeling on the skin or clothing, other signs of too much water vapor in your home include the following:

• Foggy windows or more condensation than normal running down your windows
• Cold and clammy skin or items of clothing
• Mold growing on the walls or ceiling of your bathroom or kitchen 
• A musty odor throughout your house 
• Condensation on appliances like your fridge or freezer

How to Reduce Humidity in the Home

The best way to keep the air conditioner’s performance from suffering is to keep humidity levels balanced. Below are some ways that homeowners can bring moisture levels in the house to more normal levels: 

• Purchase a portable dehumidifier. You can move the dehumidifier from room to room to get the moisture levels you want. You can also install a whole-home dehumidifier, though this will be a more expensive option. 
• Change the insulation. Updating insulation not only regulates moisture levels in the house but can also save money on heating and cooling bills during peak seasons. 
• Seal cracks. Go over your windows and doors. Use a caulking agent to seal any cracks that might allow moisture into the house.
• Use salt. Did you know that you can fix humidity levels in small crawl spaces or underneath cabinets with salt? The salt absorbs moisture, so placing a cup of salt in a small, enclosed space can sap the water right out of the air. Silica packets are useful desiccants for small spaces but won’t work for larger rooms.
• Increase airflow. If there is a breeze outside, open windows and doors to cycle air through the house. You can also place fans to direct humid air out through the windows. When performing activities that produce a lot of water vapor, such as cooking or showering, keep windows and doors open to increase ventilation in the house. 

No. 1 HVAC Services in Bozeman, Montana

Does outside humidity affect air conditioning? Read our blog to learn more, including tips for how to reset your air conditioner or tackle humidity the easy way. Contact Premier Systems online or call (406) 823-3602 today!