Summer arrives. Your air conditioner starts running, but your home still feels clammy. Family members keep lowering the thermostat temperature. Now, some rooms are still uncomfortably humid while others feel too cold. Meanwhile, energy bills increase.
This is a common problem during humid summers in Newton, IA. Many homeowners think they can fix it by lowering the temperature, but comfort depends on more than temperature alone. Humidity is a significant factor in how your home feels.
Managing summer humidity in Newton, IA, is often the key to making your home feel more comfortable. When indoor humidity gets too high, your instinct may be to use your AC more. But, that’s often not the most effective solution. Knowing how to reduce indoor humidity in summer can help improve comfort while reducing strain on your air conditioner.
Why Excess Humidity Makes Your Home Feel Less Comfortable
Have you ever wondered, “Why does my house feel sticky?” It’s high humidity levels. Humidity is water vapor in the air. When the air is extremely moist, sweat evaporates more slowly, so you feel warmer than the actual temperature. This can create a damp and uncomfortable home. The air feels heavier, sleeping becomes more difficult and your home isn’t comfortable.
Most experts say ideal indoor humidity levels are between 30% and 50%. When humidity levels are higher, indoor humidity problems can quickly form.
Warning Signs of High Humidity
Many homeowners don’t know humidity is the problem until they start to see issues around their house.
Frequent high indoor humidity symptoms in Newton, IA:
- Condensation on windows
- Musty smell in the house during summer
- Damp-feeling rooms
- Visible mold and mildew
- Uneven indoor temperatures
- Home feels humid with AC running
- Constant thermostat adjustments
Why Constantly Lowering the Thermostat Isn’t the Most Effective Fix for Indoor Humidity
Turning down the thermostat may make your home feel cooler, but it does not solve humidity issues. Overcooling by running your AC hard can raise energy costs, create cold spots and shorten the lifespan of your air conditioner. And, even if you do run your AC hard, your home may still have high humidity.
While your AC can remove some moisture from a humid home, they are primarily designed to control temperature. That’s why lowering the thermostat isn’t a good way to solve the real issue: excess humidity.
How HVAC Equipment Helps Control Humidity
As your air conditioner cools your Newton home, it also removes moisture from the air. Warm indoor air passes over the cooling coil, causing water vapor to condense and drain away.
Some AC units handle moisture more effectively than others.
A variable-speed air conditioner often provides better HVAC humidity control because it operates longer at lower speeds. Running longer allows the system to reduce humidity in your home while maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature.
Smart thermostat can also help. Many models monitor humidity levels, giving you more insight into your home’s comfort conditions.
Routine maintenance is also important. Annual AC tune-ups help improve performance, maintain efficiency and provide peak humidity control while reducing the risk of breakdowns.
Improper AC Sizing: Making Humidity Worse
An AC unit that’s too big for your home can actually cause moisture issues. Because extremely large AC systems cool a home very quickly, they usually run in short cycles. They cool your home quickly, but the system doesn’t stay on long enough to remove as much moisture as it should.
In contrast, a properly sized AC cycles more effectively and provides better HVAC humidity control. This is just one of the reasons professional sizing is so important during new air conditioning installation.
Advantages of a Whole-Home Dehumidifier
An air conditioning system remove some humidity, especially variable-speed air conditioners. However, a whole-home dehumidifier is often the most efficient and effective way to create balanced humidity levels in your home.
A whole-home dehumidifier works together with your heating and cooling system to remove excess humidity during hot, muggy summer weather. Humidity-control systems can also help maintain comfortable moisture levels during dry winter months.
Ways a whole-home humidity control system improves comfort:
- Removes excess moisture throughout the entire home
- Helps the home feel cooler at higher thermostat settings
- Supports healthier indoor air
- Helps reduce mold and mildew growth
- Protects wood flooring and furniture from dry winter air
- Reduces wear and tear on your AC
- Prevents musty smells in your house during summer
- Improves comfort and sleep quality
6 Ways to Manage Summer Humidity
A whole-home humidity control system is the simplest way to control excess indoor humidity in summer, but there are other ways to improve comfort. If you’re wondering how to keep your house comfortable in humid weather, these tips can help.
- Replace Air Filters Often
Blocked filters reduce airflow and reduce system performance. Fresh filters allow your AC remove humidity more effectively. - Use Bathroom and Kitchen Exhaust Fans
Showers, cooking and other daily activities add moisture to your home. Ventilation fans help eliminate that humidity before it spreads. - Address Air Leaks
Tiny openings around windows and doors allow humid outdoor air into your home. Closing those gaps helps keep wet air out. - Schedule Routine AC Maintenance
Routine AC maintenance improves overall system performance, including humidity removal. - Keep Windows Shut When Humidity Is High
Opening windows during peak humidity lets large amounts of moisture into your home. - Look into Indoor Air Quality Enhancements
Indoor air quality solutions such as whole-home dehumidifiers/humidifiers and ventilation equipment are useful tools to create a healthier, more comfortable indoor environment.
Managing Your Indoor Humidity in Newton, IA
If your home feels clammy, muggy or unpleasant in summer, excess humidity may be the problem. The good news is Brookwood Inc offers effective indoor comfort solutions that will make you much more comfortable than lowering the thermostat.
From cooling maintenance and smart thermostats to whole-home dehumidifiers and system upgrades, Brookwood Inc can help you find the right solution for managing summer humidity in Newton, IA. Contact us online or call 641-693-6216 today to explore humidity solutions for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reducing Summer Humidity in Newton
What is the best indoor humidity level in summer for a comfortable home?
The ideal indoor humidity level in the summer is approximately 30% and 50%. Keeping your moisture levels within this humidity level helps your home feel comfortable while reducing the risk of mold development, musty odors and other moisture-related problems.
Why does my house feel humid even with the AC running?
If your AC is not removing humidity effectively, areas of your home may feel sticky even if the air is cool. Frequent causes include blocked air filters/restricted airflow, an AC that’s too big for your home, high outdoor humidity or a system that needs maintenance.
Can a whole-home dehumidifier help lower energy bills?
Yes, a whole-home dehumidifier can improve energy efficiency and cooling costs because it makes your home feel comfortable at at higher temperatures, reducing how often your air conditioner runs. It’s also one of the most reliable indoor air quality solutions and humidity control for homes in Newton, IA.
Is it bad to lower the thermostat too much during summer?
Yes, lowering the thermostat too much to reduce indoor humidity can boost cooling expenses, put extra wear on your air conditioner and create rooms that feel cold but still humid. Addressing humidity directly is usually a more effective solution.
How do I know if my HVAC system is controlling humidity properly?
Your HVAC system is likely controlling humidity properly if indoor humidity stays between 30% and 50%, rooms are comfortable and you do not observe condensation, detect musty odors or find damp areas inside your home.
What causes high humidity levels inside a home?
High indoor humidity in Newton homes is often caused by moist outdoor air, air leaks, poor ventilation, improperly sized AC systems and everyday activities such as cooking, showering and doing laundry. These add moisture that can accumulate in the home.
Does a new AC unit help with humidity control?
Yes, a properly sized variable-speed air conditioner can improve humidity control because it runs longer and removes more moisture from the air. However, homeowners with continued moisture concerns may also benefit from whole-home dehumidifier installation.
