We all know that our Florida summer is quickly approaching and with that heat comes high humidity. The professionals at ServiceOne, one of Orlando’s leading AC and plumbing companies, wants homeowners to know that if your AC is not working properly, indoor humidity can be a problem.
“Indoor humidity can make your home uncomfortable and possibly lead to other problems like mold growth, potential moisture damage to your home’s interior, and related health issues,” said Service One founder and president, Bill Gouty.
While air conditioning does dehumidify your home – it was one of the main reasons AC was invented in the first place – your air conditioner’s primary job is controlling temperature, not humidity. “AC alone won’t regulate all of the humidity in your home,” said Gouty.
This is especially true in Central Florida’s hot, humid climate. The humidity control provided by your AC system may not be sufficient to keep the indoor humidity at an acceptable and comfortable level of about 60 percent relative humidity when the temperature is 78 degrees.
If you feel that the humidity in your home is too high, or if you are having mold, mildew or other moisture issues, you may want to take the following steps to further reduce indoor humidity:
- Schedule a check-up of your AC system
Contact your HVAC service provider to be sure that your air conditioner is working correctly. The service technician should check that drain lines are unobstructed and drip pans and coils are clean, as these can be breeding grounds for mold and mildew. - Use a stand-alone dehumidifier
If your home is energy efficient – tightly sealed with proper insulation and low-solar-gain windows – your AC won’t run as much. However, that means that during the time the AC is not running, your home also is not being dehumidified and the indoor humidity will rise. As a result, you may need a stand-alone dehumidifier. - Be sure to always use exhaust fans
Whether you are bathing, cooking, running the washing machine or dryer, these activities produce a measurable amount of moisture. Ideally, exhaust fans for your stove, bathrooms, and clothes dryer should always vent directly outdoors. - Don’t set the thermostat to “fan on”
The “fan on” setting allows the fan to blow air constantly, whether or not the AC is cooling. This allows moist air back into your home and adds to indoor humidity. - Keep windows closed and tightly sealed when the humidity outside is high
“Last of all, if your AC is old, it might not be running efficiently and it could be time for an upgrade,” said Gouty. “ServiceOne AC offers top quality name brand products including Trane, a company known for systems that are designed to achieve maximum efficiency, reliability and comfort, as well as delivers the efficiency its ratings promise and that our customers expect,” said Gouty.