It’s not the heat; it’s the humidity.
If you’re wiping the sweat off your face even while the air in your house stays at 66 degrees, that old saying begins to haunt you.
Humidity has to be factored into any equation of home comfort. It’s especially important if you live in a very hot area or a humid climate like south Florida. But even in cooler zones, or during winter, humidity can affect your comfort level.
Some possible culprits
If you have central AC, humidity should not be a problem. Air conditioners are designed to remove humidity. If your system isn’t doing its job, there are a few possible reasons.
1. The AC could be too large for the space it’s supposed to cool– in which case it will shut down before the job is done.
2. If you are using an older system, SEER 13 or lower, it could be limited to ‘on’ or ‘off’ modes. High-efficiency HVAC systems usually have variable speeds, so they run as long as it takes to remove humidity.
So what can you do about it? Well, there are a couple of major changes you might consider– or one adaptation that might work.
If your system is aging, you could invest in a high-efficiency system. If you’re running an older AC, humidity might be the least of your problems. Maybe it’s worth talking with your contractor before the summer heat hits the fan, so to speak.
Another possibility is that your system is not sized properly for your home. Larger does not mean better. If you’ve recently had your AC system replaced, you probably could have gotten by with a smaller BTU-capacity than the one you replaced. The new models are that much more efficient.
Again, you’ll want to talk with a good contractor about this. Your tech should do what’s called a Manual J to determine how much cooling capacity you need. This assessment takes into account factors like the climate you live in, how much sunlight you get, the number of rooms in the house, and many others.
Minor tweaks might dry the air
If you decide to stay with your current system, there are minor solutions you can try.
BTW, most HVAC contractors do not advise you to run a dehumidifier. It will add to your electric bill and increase the load on your air conditioner.
You might consider a dehumidifying heat pump. This is an add-on to your AC system. While it might make the job of cooling a bit more difficult, it will lessen the job of dehumidification. So you could see a net gain in efficiency.
And there are some low-tech ways of keeping the air dryer in your home, such as: Install an exhaust fan in the shower. Check to see if your clothes dryer is properly vented. And make sure your central AC is clean, well-maintained, and running smoothly.
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