High humidity is a major problem with staying cool during the summer. Especially during the late summer. The high levels of moisture in the air make it harder for your body to release heat through sweating, and that trapped heat makes the hot temperatures feel even hotter. There isn’t much you can about this when you’re outside… but you can change it inside your home.
Your air conditioning system can’t do it alone
An air conditioner does have some dehumidifying abilities; it’s a natural part of how it cools down the air. The evaporator coil indoors draws thermal energy out of the air, and as it does this, it also draws out moisture. The moisture forms on the coil, and then drips down into a pan below, where a drain and pump removes it.
However, this is not sufficient to alter the relative humidity levels in a home. You will still receive cooling from the air conditioner, but it will have to work harder to counteract the feeling of higher heat indoors.
To properly balance your home’s humidity for better comfort and energy savings, you need a dedicated dehumidifier. Some air conditioning systems come with a dehumidifier built in. If your system does not have this, you will need to contact an indoor air quality professional to integrate one into your HVAC system.
A dedicated dehumidifier operates in a similar fashion to an air conditioner’s evaporator coil. Refrigerant in a coil absorbs moisture (as well as heat), which is then pumped out of the system. However, the dehumidifier afterwards uses electric heating elements to warm the air back to its original temperature so it won’t interfere with the operation of the air conditioner and end up making the house too cold.
Are you interested in installation of a whole-house dehumidifier? Or are you looking for assistance with your air conditioning system? Then pick up the phone and call Malek Heating & Cooling. We service Evanston, IL and the rest of Chicagoland.