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.
If you are a Beaverton resident you have likely heard about the new Cooper Mountain development expansion. In just a few years new homes will be built in this up-and-coming area of Beaverton. What will this growth look like? What effect will it have on current residents?
Whether you are planning to purchase a new Cooper Mountain home or just want to keep abreast of the plans, we’ve got the details.
Your Beaverton HVAC Contractors Share Expansion Details
Beaverton has been growing rapidly in past years. Around 50 years ago Beaverton began its transformation from a quaint Tualatin Valley farming town into a vibrant Oregon city. Now the sixth largest city in the state, we are seeing more and more people move in to take advantage of all the amenities Beaverton has to offer. From our family-friendly atmosphere, to gourmet food scene, to dynamic Farmer’s Market and wealth of wineries, people from all over are wanting to call Beaverton home. With this influx of residents and growing families continuing their roots, leaders are looking to expand the Cooper Mountain area.
What is Considered the Cooper Mountain Area?
The Cooper Mountain are is comprised of three distinct sectors:
- North Cooper Mountain: a 510-acre area, which is inside the urban growth boundary and in unincorporated Washington County
- Cooper Mountain Urban Reserve: the 1,242-acre zone located between the North and South areas
- South Cooper Mountain: a 544 acre area that was annexed by the city of Beaverton in 2012.
The current development plan aims to maintain our distinctive landscape, while finding room for our growing population. The north and south regions will see the most expansion. The urban reserve area will keep the Cooper Mountain Nature Park untouched and preserve the majority of the natural areas. It’s estimated that only 600 acres of the 1,242 urban reserve area are developable. This development across all areas could provide around 3,700 new housing units as early as 2023 or 2024.
What the Cooper Mountain Expansion Means for Prospective Homeowners
With the addition of new homes, there will be opportunities for residents in Beaverton and beyond to find their new dream home. Planning to take the plunge as an owner of one of these upcoming properties? It’s important to think about logistics like heating and cooling, energy efficiency, and air quality before signing on the dotted line. With brand new homes comes the advantage of a brand new residential HVAC system.
There are many different types of HVAC units and levels of performance, so how do you know if you are getting the best heating and cooling for your new residence? When in doubt, consult your Beaverton HVAC installer and ask the important questions:
- Is the HVAC unit the correct size for your home? Too large of a system will heat or cool your house quickly, but could create excessive humidity. If the unit is too small, it will struggle to effectively cool or heat your home.
- What is the Energy Star rating of your HVAC system? Energy efficient units will save you on utility bills over time.
- Has the ductwork been properly installed? Ductwork that has gaps in the seams or loose connections will reduce air quality and energy efficiency.
- Was the HVAC unit installed by a NATE certified technician?
If all signs point to a high-quality HVAC system, plan a routine maintenance schedule with your HVAC contractor. This will keep your system healthy and functioning for years to come.
Residential HVAC Service for Your New Beaverton Home
HVAC systems are intricate machines that require the best technical expertise to keep them at peak performance. At AAA Heating and Cooling, we provide quality repair, expert installation, and professional advice. Want to ensure the health and longevity of your HVAC unit? Let one of our dedicated HVAC professionals in Beaverton assist you. Contact us today!
