Air conditioning and humidity
A cool house is not always a dry one.
An air conditioner removes water while it runs. A cycle that stops too soon cools the air and leaves the water behind.
Why size matters
A system sized to the house, and one that isn't.
| Oversized | Matched to the house | |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling cycle | OversizedA few minutes, then off | Matched to the houseLong and steady |
| Moisture removed | OversizedLittle, because it shuts off too soon | Matched to the houseMore of it, over a longer run |
| House feel | OversizedCool and clammy | Matched to the houseCool and drier |
| Sizing | OversizedRule of thumb, or the old unit's size | Matched to the houseA load calculation of the house |
What we look at
Before anyone suggests a replacement.
The cycle length
Timed on a warm afternoon.
The thermostat
Whether it has a dehumidify mode and whether it is set to use it.
The fan speed
A fan that runs too fast gives the coil little time to pull water out.
The ducts
Leaks pull damp attic or crawlspace air into the house.
Questions
Air conditioning and humidity.
Will a bigger air conditioner fix a clammy house?
Usually not. An oversized system cools the air quickly and shuts off before it has removed much moisture. We time your cooling cycles before suggesting any change.
Can a portable dehumidifier do the job?
For one room or a closet, often yes. For a whole house, or the air under it, a portable unit runs constantly and still leaves the rest damp. The readings show which case you have.
Do you work on mini-splits and duct systems?
We install and service the equipment that controls humidity: ducted dehumidifiers, air handlers and their drains, and ductless units where a room has no ducts. We aren't a general plumbing or roofing company.
Check the cycles first.
A logger and a stopwatch on a warm afternoon will tell you more than the nameplate.