The humid summers in Newton, Iowa, can get muggy and uncomfortable. You adjust the thermostat to a pleasant temperature. The air conditioning kicks on right away. But, even after your AC operates, your home still feels moist and clammy.
Not a great feeling.
It can be disappointing when the air conditioner seems to be doing its job, yet your home doesn't actually feel very comfortable. If your rooms feel humid but thermostat says cool, you're not alone. Local homeowners often have this experience.
The reason is simple: Temperature and humidity are two different factors in indoor comfort. Your temperature only tells you how comfortable the air is within the space. It doesn't measure how much moisture is in the air. When indoor moisture is too high, your home can feel warmer than the thermostat indicates, due to indoor humidity problems.
In this article, you'll learn how humidity affects your indoor comfort levels, common reasons your home feels humid even when the temperature is correct and easy troubleshooting steps you can try to reduce humidity in your Newton, Iowa, home. That way, you’ll know when to call experts like the team at Brookwood Inc for expert assistance.
Why a Home Can Feel Humid Even When the Temperature Is Nice and Cool
The temperature is only part of what makes your living space enjoyable. Humidity is an extremely important element to consider. Most homes are generally more comfortable when indoor relative humidity stays 30-50 percent. When a home has high indoor humidity, the air feels hotter, denser and stickier—even if the actual air temperature is cool.
High humidity can also promote dangerous mold growth, mildew, musty odors and other indoor air quality issues. That's why your house feels humid but the AC is running—your system may be lowering the temperature of the air without pulling out enough moisture.
Reasons Your Home Feels Humid Even with the AC Running
Living in Newton, Iowa, excess moisture can be a problem.
Countless area homeowners wonder the same question: Why does my house feel humid?
There are several common causes. Identifying what's creating high idoor humidity is a key first step toward solving the problem.
Let's look at several common reasons for high indoor humidity levels in Newton, Iowa:
AC is Too Large
1. AC is Too Large
An AC that's bigger than your home needs lowers the temperature in your home too quickly. The problem is an oversized AC often doesn’t eliminate humidity effectively because it stops operating before completing a complete cooling cycle.
2. Clogged Air Filter
A clogged air filter restricts airflow throughout your HVAC system. This makes it challenging for your equipment to extract humidity while cooling your home.
3. Clogged Condensate Drain
Your AC removes moisture from the air in your home and drains it outside through a condensate line. If that drain becomes clogged, moisture can't drain from the system properly, contributing to increased humidity levels.
4. Dirty Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil extracts both heat and moisture from your home's indoor air. Dirt buildup on the coil limits its effectiveness and often requires professional AC repair services to restore performance.
5. Damaged Ductwork
Ductwork moves cool air throughout your home. Leaks in ductwork can draw warm, humid air from attics, crawl spaces or other unused areas into your HVAC system. This added moisture makes it harder to maintain comfortable humidity throughout your home.
6. Thermostat Fan Set to “On” Change to “Auto”
If your thermostat fan is running on "On" instead of "Auto", the blower continues to operate after the cooling cycle completes. This can blow moisture collected on the evaporator coil back into your home instead of letting it to drain away.
7. Extremely Humid Weather
During the area’s extremely humid summers, your HVAC system has to run longer to remove moisture from the air. Even when your air conditioning is working properly, sometimes your home feels muggy because outdoor humidity continually enters your home through doors, windows and normal air leakage.
8. Poorly Maintained Heating and Cooling Equipment
As home comfort systems age, they often become less efficient at controlling humidity. HVAC maintenance optimizes performance, boosts efficiency and helps find worn-out parts. Putting off regular air conditioning maintenance can decrease performance, including your system's ability to control moisture.
Things to Check Before Calling an HVAC Technician
If your house feels humid, there are several simple things you can check before scheduling service. These strategies are easy ways to improve indoor comfort by helping your AC or heating system remove moisture more efficiently.
- Check your HVAC air filter. A clean heating and cooling system air filter allows proper airflow, helping your system circulate air through and dehumidify your home better.
- Verify the thermostat fan is set to Auto. This allows moisture to leave the system after each cooling cycle instead of being circulated back into your living spaces.
- Check that supply and return vents are open and unblocked. Furniture over the vents or closed vents can restrict airflow throughout your home.
- Look for water around the indoor unit. Water around your AC equipment may indicate a clogged condensate drain or another drainage-related issue.
- Know how your air conditioning should run. If the AC is short cycling or turning on and off frequently, or it seems to run constantly without cooling your home like it should, it's time to have the system inspected by a professional.
Even if your thermostat still says cool but house feels humid, do not perform repairs with refrigerant, electrical components or system components. DIY repairs may be tempting, but these repairs require specialized training and should always be performed by a qualified HVAC technician.
Does Your Home Need a Whole-Home Dehumidifier?
If you have humidity in your house during summer or year-round moisture problems, a whole-home dehumidifier may be a good option. As opposed to portable units that only work in one room or area, a whole-home dehumidifier works with your HVAC system to reduce humidity throughout your entire house.
Just one of Brookwood Inc's indoor air quality solutions, a whole-home dehumidifier makes your home more comfortable while lowering the risk of mold, musty odors and excess moisture. It can be a great choice for homes in damp climates or properties that struggle with humidity even with a properly functioning cooling system.
Signs It's Time to Book HVAC Service
Persistent HVAC humidity issues often trace back to an larger problem that requires professional repair. The technicians at Brookwood Inc will inspect refrigerant charge, airflow, blower performance and evaporator coils to identify why your system isn't controlling humidity effectively. They can also check ductwork, condensate drainage and overall system sizing to find the root cause.
We also can get you on the schedule for a heating and cooling tune-up. Seasonal seasonal tune-ups help identify small problems before they become major breakdowns. That's why Brookwood Inc offers an HVAC maintenance plan that makes regular inspections easy and affordable.
If simple troubleshooting doesn't solve your problem, trust Brookwood Inc for dependable HVAC service in Newton, Iowa.
Schedule HVAC service online or call 641-693-6216 today to take care of high indoor humidity issues for good.
