Having too much humidity in your Bethany, Oklahoma home can make your living environment hot, muggy, and downright oppressive. Indoor humidity can remain high even when your air conditioner is running. Sometimes having too much humidity is a natural consequence of having a large and active family. At other times, it may mean that your air conditioner is struggling. Knowing how to tell the difference is important. When air conditioners stop regulating humidity effectively, they’re often poised for a breakdown. Here are a few things that you can do to resolve the problem.
Start by Checking and Changing the HVAC Air Filter
If excess humidity is a relatively new problem in your home, start by checking your air filter. This component should be inspected and changed at least every three months. If you wait longer than this to change your air filter, it will likely be covered in dirt, lint, and other debris. When air filters are dirty, air conditioners must work harder to move air through them. This leads to overheating, losses in efficiency, and a diminished ability to regulate indoor humidity.
Make Sure That Nothing Is Blocking Your HVAC Air Vents
You should check for airflow obstructions in other areas as well. Look at all the HVAC air vents throughout your home to make sure that these aren’t blocked by furnishings or other items. If necessary, use your vacuum cleaner to remove any build-ups of dirt and lint that have accumulated on the vents.
Inspect Your Outside Condenser Unit and Clear Away Any Debris
Airflow issues can also occur on the exterior of the home. Make sure that the area around your outside condenser is free of debris. If you haven’t scheduled professional HVAC maintenance in a while, there may be a build-up of dust, gravel, and other elements inside of the condenser. Although you can remove the condenser cover and clean up visible dirt in accessible areas, an HVAC technician can clean the condenser thoroughly.
Consider the Age and Size of Your Air Conditioner
The age and the size of your air conditioner are two additional factors that might be responsible for higher-than-normal levels of humidity. Air conditioners that are improperly sized can’t remove humidity effectively. Units that are too large for the service area quickly cycle off and on. This leaves them with limited time during active cycles to extract excess moisture.
If your air conditioner is too small for your home, it will probably run all the time. It will also be ineffective in all the functions that it’s supposed to perform. Under-size air conditioners have a hard time cooling homes, extracting airborne particulates, and removing excess moisture from the air.
Schedule Annual Air Conditioner Tune-up Service
Even if you’re good about changing out your HVAC system’s air filter, failing to have professional maintenance performed on a regular basis can cause serious problems. During these visits, HVAC technicians calibrate and clean air conditioners so that they function optimally. This includes cleaning the inside of the outdoor condenser unit and removing coatings of dust from the air conditioner’s condenser and evaporator coils. These things should be done at the start of the cooling season. This way, you can confidently rely on your air conditioner to both cool your indoor air and keep your home from feeling oppressive and muggy.
Talk With Your HVAC Company About Whole-House Dehumidification
One of the most common causes of elevated humidity is a busy home environment. If you have a lot of people living in your home, you can expect higher levels of moisture. After all, having more building residents means having more people cook, use the clothes dryer, and indulge in hot, steamy baths and showers. All these activities add moisture to the living environment. Sometimes, when there are lots of people in the home, central cooling systems are not sufficient for regulating humidity on their own.
You can speak with a trusted HVAC company about whole-house dehumidification. Dehumidifiers support air conditioners in their efforts to regulate indoor humidity. They help homeowners establish and maintain the perfect level of humidity for resident comfort and for keeping problems like mold and mildew at bay.
[Company_name] has been helping residents of Bethany, Oklahoma and the surrounding areas maintain comfortable living environments since 1983. We offer heating and cooling system installation, maintenance, and repairs. We also provide indoor air quality services, heat pumps, and air purification services. Call us today for an appointment.