The warm summers in Bloomfield, Indiana, can get muggy and uncomfortable. You change the thermostat to a pleasant temperature. The air conditioning starts up automatically. But, even after your AC cycles, your home still feels humid and uncomfortable.
That’s not very comfortable.
It can be frustrating when the air conditioner appears to work properly, yet your home doesn't actually feel comfortable. If your rooms feel humid but thermostat says cool, you're not the only homeowner. Many area homeowners have this problem.
Why? Temperature and humidity are two different factors in indoor comfort. A temperature only tells you how warm or cool the air is within the space. It doesn't measure how much moisture is in the air. When indoor moisture is very high, your home can feel much hotter than the thermostat indicates, due to indoor humidity problems.
In this article, you'll learn how humidity affects your indoor comfort levels, common reasons your home feels humid even when the temperature is correct and simple troubleshooting steps you can try to reduce humidity in your Bloomfield, Indiana, home. That way, you’ll know when it’s time to call experts like the team at Stanford Heating & Cooling for expert assistance.
Why Your Home Can Feel Humid Even When the Temperature Is Nice and Cool
The temperature is only part of what makes your house pleasant. The amount of moisture in the air is another important factor. Most homes are the most comfortable when indoor relative humidity stays 30-50 percent. When a home has high indoor humidity, the air feels warmer, more oppressive and stickier—even if the actual air temperature is cool.
Too much indoor moisture can also encourage dangerous mold growth, mildew, unpleasant odors and other indoor air quality issues. That's why your house feels humid but the AC is running—your system may be chilling the air without extracting enough moisture.
Home Feels Humid? Here are 8 Common Causes
Residing in Bloomfield, Indiana, high humidity can be a frequent concern.
Countless area homeowners ask the same question: Why does my house feel humid?
There are a variety of common explanations. Identifying what's creating excess moisture is a key first step toward resolving the problem.
Here are several common reasons for indoor humidity problems in Bloomfield, Indiana:
1. AC is Too Large
An AC unit that's too big for your home cools your home too quickly. The problem is an oversized AC often doesn’t remove humidity effectively because it shuts off before completing a proper cooling cycle.
2. Blocked Air Filter
A blocked air filter restricts airflow throughout your HVAC system. This makes it challenging for your equipment to control humidity while cooling your home.
3. Blocked Condensate Drain
Your air conditioning removes moisture from your home’s air and that excess water drains from the unit through a condensate line. If that drain becomes blocked, moisture can't exit the system properly, contributing to excess moisture indoors.
4. Frozen Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil pulls both heat and moisture from your home's air. Dirt and grime on the coil limits its effectiveness and often requires professional AC repair services to fix.
5. Damaged Ductwork
Ductwork carries cool air throughout your home. Gaps in ductwork can allow warm, humid air from attics, crawl spaces or other unconditioned areas into your HVAC system. This added moisture makes it more challenging to maintain comfortable humidity conditions.
6. Thermostat Fan is on “On” Setting Change setting to “Auto”
If your thermostat fan is running on "On" instead of "Auto", the blower continues to operate after the cooling cycle ends. This can blow moisture collected on the evaporator coil back into your home instead of letting it to drain away.
7. Exceptionally Humid Weather
During the area’s very humid summers, your HVAC system has to run longer to remove moisture from the air. Even when your cooling system is working properly, sometimes your home feels muggy because outdoor humidity keeps entering your home through doors, windows and normal air leakage.
8. Poorly Maintained Heating and Cooling Equipment
As heating and cooling systems wear out over time, they often become less capable at controlling humidity. HVAC maintenance enhances performance, boosts efficiency and helps identify worn-out parts. Neglecting regular air conditioning maintenance can decrease performance, including your system's ability to reduce moisture.
Things to Check Before Calling an HVAC Technician
If your home feels humid, there are several simple things you can check before scheduling service. These strategies are easy ways to improve indoor comfort by helping your heating and cooling system remove moisture more effectively.
- Replace a dirty air filter. A clean heating and cooling system air filter allows proper airflow, helping your system circulate air through and dehumidify your home better.
- Make sure the thermostat fan is set to Auto. This allows moisture to leave the system after each cooling cycle instead of being sent back into your living spaces.
- Check to ensure your supply and return vents are open and unblocked. Rugs or furniture over the vents or closed vents can limit airflow throughout your home.
- Inspect for water around the indoor unit. Water by your AC equipment may suggest a clogged condensate drain or another drain problem.
- Know how your AC should run. If the AC is short cycling or turning on and off continuously, or it seems to run constantly without improving comfort, it's time to have the system evaluated by a professional.
Even if your thermostat still says cool but house feels humid, do not attempt repairs involving refrigerant, electrical components or system components. Do-it-yourself fixes may be tempting, but these repairs require professional training and should always be handled by a qualified HVAC technician.
Does Your Home Need a Whole-Home Dehumidifier?
If you struggle with humidity in your house during summer or year-round moisture problems, a whole-home dehumidifier may be worth considering. Unlike portable units that only remove humidity from one room or area, a whole-home dehumidifier works alongside your HVAC system to reduce humidity throughout your entire house.
Just one of Stanford Heating & Cooling's indoor air quality solutions, a whole-home dehumidifier helps keep your home more comfortable while helping reduce the risk of mold, musty odors and excess moisture. It can be especially helpful for homes in damp climates or properties that continue to have humidity even with a properly functioning cooling system.
Signs It's Time to Schedule HVAC Service
Persistent HVAC humidity issues often trace back to an larger problem that needs professional repair. The technicians at Stanford Heating & Cooling will check refrigerant charge, airflow, blower performance and evaporator coils to determine why your system isn't managing humidity effectively. They can also inspect ductwork, condensate drainage and overall system sizing to identify the root cause.
We also can get you on the schedule for an HVAC tune-up. Seasonal seasonal tune-ups help catch small problems before they become major breakdowns. That's why Stanford Heating & Cooling offers an HVAC maintenance plan that helps make regular inspections easy and affordable.
If simple troubleshooting doesn't solve the indoor humidity problems, trust Stanford Heating & Cooling for dependable HVAC service in Bloomfield, Indiana.
Schedule HVAC service online or call 812-825-8695 today to restore your comfort.
