Do Air Conditioners Dehumidify?
Do Air Conditioners Dehumidify?
Do air conditioners dehumidify the air in your home?
Technically, the answer is yes.
As household air is drawn over the refrigerant coils in your air conditioner, moisture as well as heat is extracted from the air. Known as condensate, the excess moisture is directed through a condensate drain to the outside of your home.
Are most air conditioners engineered to keep your home at the relative humidity deemed best for human health? The answer is no. Although some models are designed with features like two-stage compressors that aid in dehumidification, cooling is an air conditioner’s primary job. When an air conditioner just isn’t enough to make your indoor environment feel comfortable, our home dehumidifiers offer a solution.
Does Home Humidity Matter?
Too much humidity in a home promotes the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria. For sensitive populations like those who suffer from allergies, asthma or respiratory conditions, excess humidity can make breathing difficult. Because humid air feels warmer than dry air, high humidity levels can drive up your energy costs as you run the unit longer to get the level of comfort that you want. Even when your home does reach the desired temperature, rooms can still feel clammy and damp.Dehumidifier Options
Dehumidifiers are available as portable units or as an upgrade to your existing central HVAC system. They are sized according to the amount of moisture that they can remove and the square footage that they can cover.- Consoles. Consoles are commonly used for problem areas within a home, such as a damp basement. They’re also an effective solution as a room enhancement or bedside companion for someone suffering from a respiratory ailment. Models come with built-in buckets to collect moisture that must be periodically emptied by hand. Some have attachments that allow you to hook up a drain hose to the unit as well.
- Whole House Dehumidifiers. Whole-home dehumidifiers are designed to eliminate excess humidity in all the rooms of your home. The systems come with filters that remove moisture from the air while delivering fresh air to your home’s living spaces. They’re also equipped with drains that automatically deposit accumulated moisture outside.
Size Matters Too
Oversized air conditioning systems cool a home so quickly that the system shuts off the blower before household air has a chance to circulate fully. This increases the air’s humidity levels. If you’re considering replacing your current air conditioning system, we can suggest products with enhanced dehumidifying features and ensure that they’re sized right for your home as well. A call to our HVAC specialists is your first step toward achieving a comfortable atmosphere within your home. Our savvy techs can analyze your home’s specific cooling demands to help you determine the optimal dehumidifying solution.Are you interested in installing a dehumidifier in your home? Search for a local hvac company
Last Updated by Stanley Simmons