Maintaining your home’s humidity levels is just as important to comfort as controlling temperature. Excess moisture can make your home uncomfortable and promote mold and mildew growth, which may affect your family’s health. Many homeowners don’t realize their HVAC system is an essential factor in controlling humidity.
Ideal Indoor Humidity Range
Humidity measures moisture in the air. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the ideal relative humidity level is between 30% and 50%. If levels rise above 60%, conditions become favorable for dust mites, mold spores, and other allergens. On the other hand, the air can feel dry and uncomfortable when humidity levels drop below 30%.
Although seasonal weather changes can impact indoor humidity, your HVAC system can help remove the excess moisture. How well your HVAC system functions can directly impact moisture levels inside your home.
How Air Conditioners Affect Humidity
Most central air conditioners remove humidity as they cool. Warm air passes over the cold evaporator coil inside the unit, causing moisture to condense on its surface. This moisture then forms droplets that are caught in a pan below the unit and then drain away through the condensate line. A well-maintained cooling system may remove up to 20 gallons of water from your home’s air on the muggiest days.
How Heating Systems Affect Humidity
Heating systems can dry out the air during the winter by warming your home and reducing the relative humidity. The air feels drier, making your home more likely to feel uncomfortable in the winter.
Overly dry air can irritate your sinuses and cause nosebleeds. It can also cause itchy, dry skin and increased static electricity buildup.
A lack of moisture can even impact wood flooring and furniture, causing them to become cracked or warped. Some homes need humidifiers during the winter to help combat the dry air.
The Role of Ventilation
Ventilation plays a crucial role in managing indoor humidity levels. Proper ventilation brings in fresh outdoor air while expelling stale, moisture-laden indoor air.
This exchange helps remove excess moisture generated from daily activities like cooking, bathing, and drying clothes. To effectively reduce humidity, exhaust fans in bathrooms should run for at least 20 to 30 minutes after showering or bathing to clear out the lingering moisture.
In addition to exhaust fans, energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) and whole-house ventilation units can integrate with your HVAC system to maintain optimal air quality and moisture balance throughout your home.
Dehumidifiers and Whole-Home Solutions
Ronkonkoma has a humid continental climate known for moist conditions, especially in the summer. July and August are the most humid summer months, with relative humidity rising as high as 74%. During high-humidity periods, many homeowners in Ronkonkoma use dehumidifiers.
Whole-home dehumidifiers work with your HVAC system. These units work similarly to air conditioners, with a coil system, but they focus solely on moisture removal and not temperature control. There are several benefits of installing a whole-home dehumidifier.
- More consistent comfort
- Less reliance on AC
- Reduced risk of mold and mildew
- Potential energy savings
- Prevent musty odors
You may need a dehumidifier if you notice condensation on your windows or a musty smell indoors. Any mold growth you spot is a sure sign of too much moisture.
Humidifiers for Dry Months
With bitterly cold and snowy winters in Ronkonkoma, most homes run their heating systems nonstop. If your heating system makes the indoor air overly dry, consider having us install a humidifier. There are three main types of whole-home humidifiers.
Bypass Humidifiers
Bypass humidifiers work with your furnace’s blower and airflow. The system draws warm air over a panel, where it absorbs moisture. The blower then sends moistened air throughout your home.
Fan-Powered Humidifiers
Fan-powered humidifiers use a fan to draw air into the unit. The system moisturizes the air and sends it through the ductwork and throughout your home.
Steam Humidifiers
Steam humidifiers use heated water to create steam. The humidifier releases the steam into the air to moisturize it. Our technicians can install these units within your HVAC system.
Smart Thermostats and Humidity Monitoring
Modern HVAC systems can also include smart thermostats and indoor air quality sensors. These allow homeowners to monitor and adjust humidity levels from their phones or smart thermostats.
Some systems automatically adjust fan speeds or activate dehumidifiers. Smart thermostats can provide alerts if humidity becomes too high or too low, helping prevent damage to your home. We can help you choose the right integrated system to meet your household’s needs.
Signs Your HVAC System May Be Causing Humidity Issues
A poorly performing HVAC system can disrupt your indoor humidity levels. Look for these signs that indicate an imbalance:
- Musty odors
- Higher energy costs
- Visible mold
- Poor air quality
- A stuffy feeling in your home
A professional HVAC inspection can reveal if you have equipment, ventilation, or sizing problems. Our HVAC team can offer solutions to help you overcome these issues and improve the humidity levels inside your home.
HVAC Maintenance for Better Humidity Control
Routine maintenance is essential for comfort and indoor air quality. An annual heater and AC inspection and tune-up ensures your system operates efficiently and manages humidity levels properly. Our experts at Cool Power LLC perform several steps during maintenance appointments, including the following:
- Complete inspection
- Evaporator, condenser, and condensate line cleaning
- Ductwork leak inspection
- Thermostat Testing
- System size evaluation
Not only does HVAC maintenance make your home more comfortable, but it also helps prevent costly breakdowns and makes your system last longer. In addition, most manufacturers require professional maintenance to keep the warranty in good standing.
Energy Efficiency and Humidity
Controlling indoor humidity effectively can help lower your energy bills, especially during the summer months. When humidity levels are balanced, your home feels cooler and more comfortable, allowing you to set your thermostat higher without sacrificing comfort. This reduces how often your air conditioner runs, saving energy and money.
Conversely, when humidity is too high or too low, your HVAC system must work harder to maintain a comfortable environment, increasing energy use and wear on your equipment.
To address this, modern energy-efficient HVAC systems are designed with advanced humidity control features. Technologies like variable-speed compressors, modulating furnaces, and smart controls allow you to precisely manage humidity levels. This fine-tuning helps maintain comfort while minimizing energy consumption.
Custom HVAC Solutions for Your Home
Every home faces unique humidity challenges, which is why our technicians at Cool Power LLC provide tailored solutions designed to meet your specific needs. We’ll evaluate your current HVAC system and recommend the best interventions to achieve optimal humidity control and comfort, including whole-home dehumidifiers to improve indoor air quality.
Serving Ronkonkoma since 1975, Cool Power LLC is proud to be among the top 25 Lennox dealerships, offering a wide selection of innovative, high-quality HVAC products. Our expert team provides installation, maintenance, and repairs for all makes and models — all backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee.
If you’re experiencing humidity issues or need expert HVAC services in Ronkonkoma, contact Cool Power LLC today.
