Humidity is one of the most complex parts of managing indoor air quality. Excessively low humidity can be uncomfortable to breathe, but high humidity can be even worse. Not only does it make everything feel unpleasantly sticky, but it can also encourage mold to grow and cause your wood furnishings to warp.
Does an Air Conditioner Dehumidify?
If you are dealing with high humidity, the good news is that an air conditioner does dehumidify your home. As your AC runs, it will naturally pull excess moisture out of the air. If you’re curious whether your AC is dehumidifying your home, look at the drain line that runs outside your house. If water is dripping out of it, your AC is dehumidifying your house.
How Do Air Conditioners Remove Humidity?
Your air conditioner’s ability to remove humidity is a side effect of how it works. To chill air, an AC passes air over coils filled with super-chilled refrigerant. When any air cools quickly, moisture in the air condenses into droplets of water. These drops fall into a drip pan and then drain away outside.
How Much Humidity Will Your AC Remove?
The exact amount of humidity your AC removes will vary depending on the type of system you have, the temperature of your air, and the moisture of your air. However, any time your AC runs, it will passively dehumidify your home. The average AC can remove between 5 gallons and 20 gallons of water from your air daily.
If you’re unhappy with the humidity levels inside your home, Jensen Mechanical Inc. can help. We can install humidifiers and dehumidifiers to fine-tune your humidity levels, or we can help you find an AC that provides the right level of dehumidification. Our professionals also assist Emporia residents with various other HVAC installations, repairs, and maintenance. To learn more about our services, contact Jensen Mechanical Inc. now.
