How Humidity Affects Air Conditioning Efficiency

Air conditioner efficiency is affected by humidity because an air conditioner’s consumption is linked to the relative humidity and outside temperature. When it’s functioning correctly, an air conditioner decreases the temperature and also decreases relative humidity in your house. Decreasing moisture (which is what causes humidity) is essential to comfort because humidity that is high drags down the skin’s sweat.

The evaporator’s refrigerant helps remove heat from blown air. However, this chilled coil’s outer part also causes condensation as room air moisture gets to the dew point. Also, condensation lets out heat that is taken out of the air conditioner. The result of higher humidity is more condensation, and increased condensation makes more heat the air conditioner must work harder to remove. This ultimately raises electricity costs.

Humidity adversely affects the efficiency of your air conditioner, so be sure and take measures to reduce home humidity. Here are a few ways to decrease your home’s humidity:

Put a ground-moisture barrier in your crawl space and decrease summer inside humidity.

Place your dryer vent outdoors.

Do not dry clothes indoors on a line.

Put covers on pots when using them to cook.

Install and utilize fans in the kitchen and bathrooms, if you do not have them.