Learn How To Improve Cooling Efficiency
Monsoon season can get very humid. Not only is it uncomfortable for you but also for your air conditioning system—especially if your system is an older model because it may not come with the dehumidifier similar to newer models.
You’ll know your indoor humidity is too high if:
- Your windows are foggy.
- The air feels moist and heavy.
- It smells musty.
3 Ways Humidity Negatively Affects Your Air Conditioner
When the humidity is too high, it negatively affects your cooling system in the following ways:
- Your home feels warmer: The higher the humidity, the warmer it feels. High humidity cancels your air conditioner’s cooling effect, making your AC run harder and longer.
- Increased wear and tear: During humid days, your AC will not optimally cool all rooms in your home evenly. When indoor humidity levels are high, your AC will be strained, resulting in wear and tear on the system.
- Increased energy usage: The higher the humidity, the more energy you will spend keeping your home cool. This not only increases your energy usage, but it increases your energy bill as well.
Penguin’s Tips for Reducing Indoor Humidity
Here are some tips to reduce indoor humidity:
- Change your air filter at least once a month: Since monsoon season increases the dust, dirt, and debris in the air, your filters will get dirty much sooner. Clogged filters limit the amount of moisture your AC can remove from your home, so be sure to change them OFTEN. Learn how to change your air conditioner filter.
- Keep vents open: Keeping all your vents open prevents humid outdoor air from entering your home. This includes vents in unused rooms because closed vents result in negative pressure inside your home, meaning your AC takes in more air than it’s expelling, raising the indoor humidity.
- Set thermostat fan to auto: If your fan is set to run constantly, all the moisture on the evaporator coils gets blown back into your home before it can drain away. Setting your fan on auto allows the fan to stop blowing between cooling cycles and allows the moisture to drain away from the evaporator coils.
- Gently clean the outside of your AC unit: If the outside of your AC unit is clogged with dirt and debris, it can’t effectively push heat outside, making your AC work harder. After every storm, check the outside of your unit and use these air conditioner cleaning tips. If it’s dirty, gently hose the exterior off or call us for a tune-up of your system!
Contact a Penguin Pro online or call (480) 550-9943 for more advice and ways to deal with the high humidity levels this time of year.
We have many ways to help improve your cooling efficiency. And if you haven’t already, schedule a tune-up to ensure your air conditioner is working at peak performance, even during the rainy season!