Summer is here. Your air conditioner starts running, but your home still feels sticky. Family members keep lowering the thermostat temperature. Now, some rooms still feel sticky while others feel too cold. Meanwhile, energy bills increase.
This is a common problem during humid summers in Newark, OH. Many homeowners think they can fix it by lowering the temperature, but comfort depends on more than the air temperature. Humidity is a significant factor in how your home feels.
Managing summer humidity in Newark, OH, is often the key to creating a more comfortable home. When indoor humidity gets too high, your instinct may be to make your cooling system work harder. But, that’s usually not the best solution. Knowing how to reduce indoor humidity in summer can help improve comfort while reducing strain on your air conditioner.
Why Humidity Makes Your Home Feel Hotter
Ever ask yourself, “Why does my house feel sticky?” It’s because your house has high humidity. Humidity is moisture in the air. When moisture levels are high, sweat evaporates more slowly, making you feel warmer than the actual temperature. This can create a muggy feeling inside your home. The air feels heavier, you may have trouble sleeping and your home isn’t comfortable.
Most experts say ideal indoor humidity levels are between 30% and 50%. When humidity levels are higher, indoor humidity problems can develop.
Warning Signs of High Humidity
Many homeowners don’t realize humidity is the problem until they start to see issues around their house.
Common high indoor humidity symptoms in Newark, OH:
- Window condensation
- Musty smell in the house during summer
- Rooms that feel damp
- Visible mold and mildew
- Uneven comfort
- Home feels humid with AC running
- Frequent thermostat changes
Why Turning Down the Thermostat Isn’t the Best Solution for Indoor Humidity
Turning down the thermostat may make your home feel cooler, but it isn’t the way to solve humidity issues. Overcooling by running your air conditioner hard can increase utility bills, create cold spots and cause unnecessary wear and tear on your cooling system. You may end up with a house that feels chilly but still uncomfortable.
While an AC unit removes some moisture from your home, they are primarily designed to control temperature. That’s why lowering the thermostat isn’t a good way to solve the real issue: excess humidity.
How HVAC Systems Help Control Humidity
As your air conditioner cools your Newark home, it also removes moisture from the air. Warm indoor air flows over the cooling coil, causing water vapor to condense and drain away.
Some air conditioning systems handle moisture more effectively than others.
A variable-speed air conditioner provides enhanced HVAC humidity control because it operates longer at lower speeds. Running longer allows the system to reduce humidity in your home while maintaining a steady indoor temperature.
Smart thermostat can help, too. Many smart thermostats monitor humidity levels, giving you more insight into your home’s comfort conditions.
Routine maintenance is also important. seasonal AC tune-ups help boost performance, maintain efficiency and support humidity control while reducing the risk of breakdowns.
How Incorrect AC Sizing Increases Indoor Humidity
An air conditioner that’s too big for your home can actually lead to humidity problems. Because extremely large AC systems cool a home very quickly, they tend to run in short cycles. They quickly lower the temperature in your home, but the system doesn’t stay on long enough to remove enough moisture to make your home comfortable.
On the other hand, a properly sized AC cycles more effectively and provides better HVAC humidity control. This is an example of the many reasons professional sizing is so important during AC installation.
Benefits of a Whole-Home Dehumidifier
Air conditioners remove some humidity, especially variable-speed air conditioners. However, a whole-home dehumidifier is often the best, most effective way to remove excess humidity from your home.
A whole-home dehumidifier works alongside your HVAC system to remove excess humidity so common in this area during the summer. Humidity-control systems can also help maintain comfortable moisture levels during dry winter months.
Ways a whole-home humidity control system improves comfort:
- Removes excess moisture throughout the entire home
- Improves comfort at higher thermostat settings
- Improves indoor air quality
- Helps reduce mold and mildew growth
- Protects wood floors and furniture in winter
- Helps reduce cooling system strain
- Prevents musty smells in your house during summer
- Helps improve sleep and overall comfort
6 Ways to Manage Summer Humidity
A whole-home humidity control system is the most effective solution reducing indoor humidity, but there are other ways to improve comfort. If you’re wondering how to keep your house comfortable in humid weather, following this list of summer humidity tips can help.
- Replace Air Filters Often
Blocked filters reduce airflow and reduce system performance. Fresh filters allow your AC remove humidity more effectively. - Turn on Bathroom and Kitchen Exhaust Fans
Showers, cooking and other daily activities add moisture to your home. Ventilation fans help eliminate that humidity before it spreads. - Seal Air Leaks
Cracks around windows and doors allow moist outdoor air into your home. Closing those gaps helps keep wet air out. - Schedule Routine AC Maintenance
Seasonal AC maintenance helps overall system performance, including humidity removal. - Keep Windows Closed During Humid Weather
Opening windows when outdoor humidity is high can introduce large amounts of moisture into your home. - Explore Indoor Air Quality Improvements
Indoor air quality solutions such as whole-home dehumidifiers/humidifiers and ventilation equipment can create a healthier, more comfortable indoor environment.
Humidity Solutions for Newark, OH
If your home feels clammy, muggy or unpleasant in summer, excess humidity may be the reason. The good news is Luikart Heating & Cooling offers proven indoor comfort solutions that will make you much more comfortable than lowering the thermostat.
From air conditioner tune-ups and smart controls to whole-home dehumidifiers and system upgrades, Luikart Heating & Cooling can help you find the right solution for managing summer humidity in Newark, OH. Contact us online or call 740-344-5497 today to explore humidity solutions for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reducing Summer Humidity in Newark
What is the recommended indoor humidity range for summer months?
The ideal indoor humidity level for a comfortable home during summer is approximately 30% and 50%. Keeping indoor moisture levels within this humidity level helps your home feel more pleasant while reducing the risk of mold development, musty odors and other moisture-related problems.
Why does my home feel humid even with the AC running?
If your AC is not removing humidity effectively, areas of your home may feel muggy even if the air is cool. Frequent causes include blocked air filters/restricted airflow, an oversized air conditioner, high outdoor humidity or a system that needs maintenance.
Can installing a whole-home dehumidifier help lower energy bills?
Yes, a whole-home dehumidifier can reduce monthly energy costs because it makes your home feel comfortable at higher thermostat settings, reducing how often your air conditioner runs. It’s also one of the most reliable indoor air quality solutions and humidity control for homes in Newark, OH.
Is it bad to lower the thermostat too much during summer?
Yes, lowering the thermostat too much to reduce summer humidity can increase energy bills, put extra wear on your air conditioner and create rooms that feel cold but still humid. Managing indoor humidity with a dehumidifier is usually a more effective solution.
How can I tell if my HVAC system is controlling humidity properly?
Your HVAC system is likely controlling humidity properly if humidity levels remain between 30% and 50%, rooms are comfortable and you do not observe condensation, smell musty odors or find damp areas inside your home.
What causes high humidity levels inside a home?
High indoor humidity in Newark homes is often caused by moist outdoor air, air leaks, poor ventilation, improperly sized AC systems and everyday activities such as cooking, showering and doing laundry. These increase indoor moisture that can accumulate inside the home.
Can a new AC help with humidity control?
Yes, a properly sized variable-speed air conditioner can improve humidity control because it runs longer and removes more moisture from the air. However, homeowners with ongoing humidity issues may benefit even more from whole-home dehumidifier installation.