Why Summer Humidity Makes Your Home Feel Hotter (and What Your AC Can Do About It)
Have you ever noticed that an 85-degree day can feel much hotter when the humidity is high? That’s because humidity affects how your body cools itself, and it can make your home feel uncomfortable even when your thermostat says the temperature is under control.
What is Humidity?
Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air. Water vapor is the gas form of water, and it’s a crucial component of our atmosphere. Meteorologists define humidity in two primary ways:
• Absolute humidity measures the actual amount of water vapor in the air, regardless of the air temperature. It’s the literal grams of water vapor per cubic meter of air.
• Relative humidity, on the other hand, is a percentage comparing the current amount of water vapor in the air to the maximum amount the air can hold at a given temperature.
Fortunately, your air conditioning system does more than just cool the air. A properly functioning AC system also removes excess moisture from your home. As warm air passes over your system’s evaporator coil, moisture is pulled from the air and drained away, helping reduce indoor humidity levels.
When your AC is operating efficiently, you’ll notice improved comfort, even at slightly higher thermostat settings. Lower humidity can make your home feel cooler, reduce that sticky feeling, and help improve indoor air quality.
If your home still feels humid despite running the air conditioner, it may be a sign that your system needs maintenance or isn’t properly sized for your home. Dirty filters, clogged coils, low refrigerant levels, or aging equipment can all impact your system’s ability to control humidity effectively.
Regular HVAC maintenance helps ensure your system is removing both heat and moisture efficiently throughout the summer. During a professional tune-up, technicians can identify issues before they lead to discomfort or costly repairs.
If your home feels warmer than it should this summer, humidity may be the culprit. The team at Action Air can inspect your system, improve its performance, and help keep your home cool, comfortable, and dry all season long.
Schedule your maintenance today and beat the rush before temperatures climb.
When you need action, call or text Action Air at (931) 647-8525.