Does Air Conditioning Reduce Humidity?

If your home feels sticky or muggy during hot and humid summer days in Baltimore, you might be wondering if your air conditioner can help. Most people know ACs cool the air, but what about all that humidity?

The short answer is yes, air conditioning does reduce humidity. But there’s a little more to it. This blog post explains how it works, why it matters, and what you can do if your home still feels humid even with the AC running.

How Air Conditioners Work To Control Temperature & Humidity

Air conditioners help keep your home comfortable by cooling the air and removing extra moisture. When warm air moves over the cold coil inside the unit, the coil pulls out heat and humidity.

That moisture turns into water on the coil, just like how a cold glass gets wet on a hot day. The water then drains away, helping lower humidity in your home.

The system keeps moving air through, cooling it and removing more moisture each time. While lowering humidity isn’t the air conditioner’s main job, it’s a bonus that makes your home feel much more comfortable.

How Lower Humidity Improves Indoor Comfort

When the air is too humid, it feels warmer than it really is. That sticky feeling comes from too much moisture, which makes it harder for sweat to evaporate from your skin.

Lower humidity makes the air feel cooler and more pleasant while helping reduce allergens like dust mites and mold.

Your AC also doesn’t have to work as hard. With less moisture in the air, your system can cool the home faster and more efficiently. That means better comfort and maybe even lower energy bills.

Signs Your AC Is Effectively Reducing Humidity

Not sure if your air conditioner is doing its job? Here are a few signs that it’s working:

• The air feels cooler and drier, not sticky or heavy.
• You don’t see condensation on your windows.
• There’s no musty or damp smell in the home.

If you want to be sure, try using a hygrometer. It’s a simple tool for measuring indoor humidity levels, and it can be found online or in most home stores.

The ideal indoor humidity is between 30% and 50%. If you’re in that range, your AC is effectively managing your humidity.

What To Do if Your AC Isn’t Controlling Humidity Well

If your home still feels damp even with the AC running, your system might need help:

• Check the air filter: If it’s dirty, it can block airflow and make the system work harder to meet your comfort needs.
• Check the evaporator coil: If it’s covered in dust, it won’t pull out moisture like it should. Request AC repair to clean the evaporator coil.
• Make sure your AC is the right size for your home: If it’s too big, it cools the air quickly but doesn’t run long enough to remove moisture. You may need an AC replacement.
• Schedule preventative AC maintenance: Annual tune-ups help your cooling system function effectively.
• Consider installing a whole-home dehumidifier: A dehumidifier can work alongside your AC to better control moisture, especially in humid rooms or damp basements.

Air Conditioners vs. Dehumidifiers: What’s the Difference?

Air conditioners and dehumidifiers both help with comfort, but they do different things:

• An air conditioner’s main job is to cool your home. It also removes moisture.
• A dehumidifier doesn’t cool the air. It just pulls moisture out to make the space feel drier.

A dehumidifier might be a better choice if your home feels cool but still damp or musty. This is common in basements or rooms that stay humid. Dehumidifiers usually use less energy than running the AC all day, so you can feel more comfortable without raising your energy bills.

Request a Service With Len The Plumber Heating & Air

Air conditioning does help reduce humidity, but it might not always be enough on its own.

At Len The Plumber Heating & Air, our experienced HVAC technicians are the best of the best. We always arrive with fully stocked trucks so we’re ready to help. We offer same day service seven days a week with zero surprise fees.

Need help with high humidity or AC issues in the Baltimore area?

Contact Len The Plumber Heating & Air to schedule AC repairs or whole-home dehumidifier installation.