Can Air Conditioning Remove Humidity from Your Home?

Excessive humidity levels in your home can make your living conditions uncomfortable. Humidity can also cause damage to walls and flooring, encourage mold and mildew growth, and reduce your overall indoor air quality. 

If you are living with home humidity, you might be wondering, will your AC unit remove it? Want to know what HVAC services can help you tackle uncomfortable indoor air? Our residential HVAC contractors in Beaverton share AC facts and HVAC humidity control tips. 

How Does an Air Conditioner Remove Humidity?

Residential air conditioners cool your home by blowing cold air into your living spaces while removing heat and moisture. The warm air passes over evaporator coils filled with refrigerant, where it is cooled, then reintroduced into your home. 

We all know that air conditioners are designed to cool your home, but does your AC remove humidity? The short answer is yes. The cooling process also draws water vapor from the air, which condenses on the coils, then drains away. As water is removed from the air, via the AC unit, humidity is reduced.

Will Your AC Unit Remove Humidity Efficiently? 

While home AC systems can help alleviate high humidity levels, dehumidifying the air isn’t their primary job. In order to keep your indoor air at comfortable levels, air conditioning units have to work extra hard. Why? Humidity holds heat so if you have excess levels in your home, the AC is working overtime to cool the air and remove the moisture. 

To make matters potentially worse, if your residence has an abundance of humidity that your AC can’t keep up with, you run the risk of stressing out your compressor, which can lead to failure. To mitigate potential problems, and keep you home free from harmful humidity, it might be time to invest in a whole-home dehumidifier.

Air Conditioning Units vs Whole-Home Dehumidifiers

The main difference between AC units and dehumidifiers is that air conditioners remove humidity by cooling the air and dehumidifiers decrease humidity by drying the air. Which one is the best solution for your Beaverton area home? Our local HVAC contractors weigh the pro and cons of each:

• Energy Use: To properly control humidity levels, you might find yourself running your AC 24/7. This can increase your overall energy bill. Whole-home dehumidifiers can quickly reduce humidity levels and use less energy than central air conditioning units because they help speed up natural evaporation. 
• Mold and Mildew: Because dehumidifiers dry out the surrounding air, they are more effective combating fungus and mildew that thrive in damp areas. Since AC units don’t remove moisture, bacteria and mold can grow more easily. If you or someone in your household suffers from asthma or mold allergies, a dehumidifier can help alleviate symptoms. 
• Cost: Installing a whole-home dehumidifier for the first time can be a costly investment, but can save you in energy costs and take pressure off your AC unit. 
• Temperature Control: Dehumidifiers cannot cool or heat a room. They are strictly designed to manage moisture levels. Dehumidifiers, however, can be installed to work in conjunction with your residential heating and air conditioning system. 

Making the Right Decision for Your Home

Are you experiencing uncomfortable humidity levels in your home and aren’t sure what to do? If your home feels overly humid, even when the air conditioning unit at its proper cooling temperature, here are some of your options:

• Try some at home remedies to naturally reduce humidity. For example, check for leaks that could be contributing to humidity, consider placing fans strategically around your home, and change your HVAC filter.
• Have your AC inspected for any problems. An excess of humidity can be the result of a faulty air conditioning unit.
• Consider installing a whole-home dehumidifier to work with your central air conditioning unit.
• If your AC is old or damaged, consider replacing the unit with a system that includes a dehumidifier.

HVAC Humidity Control Contractors in Beaverton

Looking to reduce your home humidity levels? Whether you need your current air conditioning serviced or are in the market for a whole-home dehumidifier upgrade, AAA Heating and Cooling is here to help. We provide service, repair, and installation in Beaverton and Portland. Contact us to schedule your appointment today.