When your air conditioner is running, it’s not just cooling down your home; it is lowering humidity levels as well. That’s because when heat is removed from the air, moisture is released in the form of condensation. So if something goes wrong with your air conditioner, your home’s humidity levels can get too high and cause all kinds of issues. Today we’re going to talk about the effects of high humidity levels at home and what you can do to ensure your air conditioner can effectively remove moisture from the air!
The effects of high humidity at home
- Comfort and efficiency issues. When humidity levels are high, homes tend to feel warmer than they are. As a result, many people lower their thermostat settings to compensate for the uncomfortable environment. This is a waste of energy because your air conditioner will have to work harder to make your home feel comfortable.
- Unhealthy air. Airborne contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and dust mites tend to thrive in areas of high humidity. Not only does this increase the likelihood of people in your home getting sick, but it also makes symptoms worse for people who suffer from asthma or allergies.
- Excess condensation. High humidity means there is excess moisture in the air. This tends to be most visible on your windows where you can see condensation dripping down the glass. If this happens for a prolonged period, it can damage wooden frames and nearby walls.
- Damage to furniture. When there is a lot of moisture in the air, wooden furniture can get damp and stained. In severe cases, this can cause permanent damage.
- Damage to musical instruments. Humidity can be a huge problem for instruments that are made of wood, such as guitars and violins. The moisture in the air causes the wood to swell, which can cause glue joints to fail, finish to lift, and neck angles to go bad.
- Spoiled food. Certain foods can go bad quickly if humidity levels are high. This is most problematic for food that you would normally store in a cabinet or on the counter, such as bread and starchy vegetables.
Keep humidity levels under control by taking care of your air conditioner
The best way to ensure that humidity levels stay under control during summer is to take good care of your air conditioner. If your air conditioner is dirty, experiencing operational issues, or having problems with the condensate line, it will not be able to remove moisture as effectively as it should. By scheduling annual tune-ups and regularly changing your air filter, you can greatly help avoid problems like these and keep your home’s humidity at the right levels.
If you have any questions about the effects of high humidity at home, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed, contact Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning, your St. Louis air conditioning contractor. We provide service all over the St. Louis area, including towns like Ladue, Lake St. Louis and Manchester, MO.
