Summer arrives. Your AC starts running, but your home still feels clammy. Family members keep lowering the thermostat temperature. Now, some rooms are still uncomfortably humid while others feel too cold. Meanwhile, energy bills climb.
This is a frequent issue during humid summers in Bloomfield, IN. Many homeowners think they can fix it by lowering the temperature, but comfort depends on more than your home’s temperature. Humidity plays a major role in how your home feels.
Managing summer humidity in Bloomfield, IN, is often the key to creating a more comfortable home. When indoor humidity gets too high, your instinct may be to use your AC more. But, that’s often not the best solution. Knowing how to reduce indoor humidity in summer can help you be more comfortable without overworking your air conditioner.
Why Excess Humidity Makes Your Home Feel Warmer
If you’ve ever wondered, “Why does my house feel sticky?” the answer is excess humidity. Humidity is moisture in the air. When the air is extremely moist, sweat evaporates more slowly, so you feel warmer than the actual temperature. This can create a damp and uncomfortable home. The air feels heavy, sleeping becomes more difficult and your home isn’t comfortable.
Most experts say ideal indoor humidity levels fall between 30% and 50%. When humidity levels are higher, indoor humidity problems can develop.
Signs Your Home Has Excess Humidity
Many homeowners don’t know humidity is the problem until it becomes a big issue.
Frequent high indoor humidity symptoms in Bloomfield, IN:
- Window condensation
- Musty smell in the house during summer
- Rooms that feel damp
- Mold growth or mildew
- Some rooms are comfortable and others are not
- Home feels humid with AC running
- Constant thermostat adjustments
Why Turning Down the Thermostat Isn’t the Best Solution for Indoor Humidity
Turning down the thermostat may make your home cooler, but it does not solve humidity issues. Overcooling by running your AC hard can raise energy costs, create cold spots and cause unnecessary wear and tear on your air conditioner. And, even if you do run your AC hard, your home may still have high humidity.
While your AC can remove some moisture during normal operation, they are primarily designed to provide cooling. That’s why lowering the thermostat doesn’t fix the real issue: high indoor humidity.
How HVAC Systems Help Control Humidity
As your air conditioner cools your Bloomfield home, it also reduces indoor moisture. Warm indoor air flows over the cooling coil, causing water vapor to condense and drain away.
Some AC units handle moisture more effectively than others.
A variable-speed air conditioner is a popular choice for effective HVAC humidity control because it runs longer at lower speeds. Running longer allows the system to remove more moisture from the air while maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature.
Smart thermostat provide additional benefits. Many models monitor humidity levels, giving you more insight into your home’s comfort conditions.
AC maintenance plays a role as well. Annual AC tune-ups help improve performance, maintain efficiency and provide peak humidity control while reducing the risk of breakdowns.
Improper AC Sizing: Making Humidity Worse
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 often run in short cycles. They quickly lower the temperature in your home, but the system doesn’t stay on long enough to remove as much moisture as it should.
In contrast, a properly sized AC runs longer and provides better HVAC humidity control. This is an example of the many reasons professional sizing is so important during AC installation.
Benefits of Installing a Whole-Home Dehumidifier
Air conditioners remove some humidity, especially variable-speed air conditioners. However, a whole-home dehumidifier is often the most effective way to control moisture throughout your entire 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.
Benefits of whole-home humidity control:
- Removes excess moisture throughout the entire home
- Helps the home feel cooler at higher thermostat settings
- Supports healthier indoor air
- Helps reduce mold and mildew growth
- Protects wood floors and furniture in winter
- Reduces wear and tear on your AC
- 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 steps you can take to improve comfort. If you’re wondering how to keep your house comfortable in humid weather, using these tips can help.
- Change Air Filters Regularly
Dirty filters restrict airflow and reduce system performance. Fresh filters allow your AC remove humidity more effectively. - Turn on Bathroom and Kitchen Exhaust Fans
Everyday tasks like showering and cooking add moisture to your home. Exhaust fans help remove that humidity before it spreads. - Address Air Leaks
Cracks around windows and doors allow moist outdoor air inside. 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 during peak humidity can introduce large amounts of moisture into your home. - Look into Indoor Air Quality Enhancements
Indoor air quality solutions such as whole-home dehumidifiers and ventilation equipment are useful tools to create a healthier, more comfortable indoor environment.
Humidity Solutions for Bloomfield, IN
If your home feels damp, humid or uncomfortable in summer, excess humidity may be the problem. The good news is Stanford Heating & Cooling offers practical indoor comfort solutions that will make you much more comfortable than lowering the thermostat.
From AC maintenance and smart thermostats to whole-home dehumidifiers and system upgrades, Stanford Heating & Cooling can help you find the right solution for managing summer humidity in Bloomfield, IN. Contact us online or call 812-825-8695 today to discuss indoor comfort solutions for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Managing Summer Humidity in Bloomfield
What is the best indoor humidity level in summer for a comfortable home?
The ideal indoor humidity level during summer is between 30% and 50%. Keeping your moisture levels within this recommended range can help your home feel cooler indoors while reducing the risk of mildew growth, musty odors and other moisture-related problems.
Why does my house feel humid even with the AC running?
If your AC is not removing humidity from your home, areas of your home may feel muggy even at a low temperature. Common causes include blocked air filters/restricted airflow, an improperly sized AC unit, 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 improve energy efficiency and cooling costs because it makes your home feel comfortable at at higher temperatures, reducing how often your air conditioner runs. It is also one of the most effective indoor air quality solutions and humidity control for homes in Bloomfield, IN.
Is it true that it’s a bad idea to lower the thermostat too much during summer?
Yes, lowering the thermostat too much to reduce summer humidity can raise utility costs, 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.
What are signs 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 see condensation, detect musty odors or find damp areas inside your home.
What leads to high humidity levels inside a home?
High indoor humidity in Bloomfield homes is commonly caused by humid outdoor air, air leaks, poor ventilation, AC units that are too large and everyday activities such as cooking, showering and doing laundry. These add moisture that can become trapped inside the home.
Does a new AC help with humidity control?
In many situations, 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 feel more comfortable with additional whole-home dehumidifier installation.
