How an AC Unit Fights Against Florida’s Humidity

AC Unit - The outside view of a two-story home during the evening.

Living in Gainesville, homeowners are no stranger to their fair share of weather extremes. But a constant threat to the security of your home, indoor air quality, and overall comfort is humidity. Luckily, a properly maintained AC unit helps to protect your home and your family from humidity. This is because the main purpose of your HVAC system is to drive air to your unit, which conditions your air, pulling impurities and moisture from the air to deliver back to your home.

The Risks of Humidity and the Help of an AC Unit

Humidity poses risks if too much or too little exists in your home. The obvious threat is of course to your comfort, but some risks are not as noticeable and can do more damage.

Too Much Humidity

When your home has too much humidity, mold becomes a much bigger problem. This can cause mold spores to linger and lead to health or breathing problems, especially for those that suffer from allergies. Mold can even cause rashes or eye irritation.

The build-up of mold not only threatens your family, but can also compromise the integrity of your home. Hidden or noticeable mold damage can occur on ceilings, in insulation, or on your walls, causing more money to be spent on repairs.

Too Little Humidity

On the other hand, not having enough humidity can also cause issues. While this may seem like a very uncommon occurrence in Florida, it can happen in the dryer, winter months. Too little humidity can cause dryness and even irritation. Common discomfort with low humidity includes chapped lips, a scratchy throat, and nose irritation.

Like too much humidity, your home can suffer from less-than-optimal humidity levels. Wood floors can warp or shrink along with wood furniture. Plus, wallpaper can actually begin peeling off the wall if it’s too dry!

How an AC Unit Protects Against Humidity

Finding a happy medium with humidity is important, and sometimes requires either a dehumidifier or a humidifier to accompany your AC unit. However, if you have a quality HVAC system, you shouldn’t have to worry about that.

Dehumidifying is a byproduct of cooling down a house and is done if your HVAC system is working as it should. Air conditioning removes moisture from the air in order to blow cold air throughout your home.

Is My AC Unit Working?

How can you tell if your AC unit isn’t pulling its weight? Well, if you are noticing that the inside of your house is humid, (you would detect a musty smell, possible signs of mold, etc.) then it is possible that your air conditioning unit is not working up to its full potential and might need to be fixed or replaced. Aging or damaged units are not reliable when it comes to maximum humidity protection.

You may have a properly working AC unit, but if you have an older home, humidity and moisture may still find their way inside. Make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed, otherwise, your unit will be working overtime while moisture continues to find its way in.

When Should I Be Concerned?

Of course, we all know that summer is the time when you feel the most moisture in the air, but interestingly enough, summer is not always the time when you should be worried about humidity in your house. Humid air often sneaks up on a house not when you feel it most, but when it is mild and your AC unit is not working as hard.

Because a byproduct of HVAC systems is clearing the air of humidity, when your AC unit isn’t being used heavily, then humidity can easily build up in the house. Therefore, look out for humidity in the spring or fall seasons, especially in Florida.

Contact Gator Air & Energy for Air Conditioning Services

In order to keep your house at a comfortable temperature and protected against humidity, your AC unit should be helping you fight the battle against humidity. Contact our team to schedule your AC inspection or repair if you begin to feel the effects of improper humidity levels.

Posted by
MENU