You’ve surely heard people say, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.” Maybe you’ve said it yourself! And there’s no doubt that air at the same temperature will feel hotter and heavier when it’s humid than when it is dry. Why does humidity make you feel hotter? What can be done about it? With a dehumidifier, you can feel cooler while using your air conditioner less. Here’s why.
How Our Bodies Cool Themselves
Human beings are good at regulating our bodies’ temperatures. That’s why humans can live in such a wide variety of climates around the world. We use energy from food to create our own warmth, and we also have a pretty decent cooling system as well. When people perspire, a sheen of moisture appears on our skin. As that moisture evaporates into the air, it carries some of our heat away with it, and our body temperature gets lower.
How Humidity Affects Our Cooling Process
Humidity is a measurement of how much moisture is being carried in the air. When the humidity is low, it is easy for the air to absorb more moisture, helping the perspiration evaporate quickly from your skin. When the humidity is high, there is already a great deal of moisture in the air. When the air is so saturated, it does not do a great job of absorbing any more water. This means evaporation is slowed, and your body’s temperature will stay higher.
Humidity and Your Air Conditioner
Because of the way an air conditioner works—running icy refrigerant through evaporator coils to absorb heat from your home—it naturally causes some of the moisture in the air to condense on the coils just as it would condense on the outside of a glass of cold water. This moisture is caught in the condensate pan and drained away from your home. But the air conditioner’s purpose is to decrease the temperature, so it does not dramatically affect the humidity.
When your body is very hot, you are likely to keep your thermostat set lower. This means your air conditioner will be running more of the time, putting strain on the compressor and causing wear and tear to all components. If you’re not feeling as hot, you’ll be able to set your thermostat a bit higher, and there will be less strain on your AC system. This will lead to more efficient operation, lower electric bills, fewer repair needs, and an air conditioner that has a longer lifespan.
Consider a Dehumidifier
When you add a dehumidifier to your home, you’ll feel cooler even when the temperature isn’t any lower. You’ll run your air conditioner less of the time, helping it stay in better condition for longer. You’ll even avoid other issues, like water damage, mold growth, swollen door and window frames, and damaged furniture, paint, and wallpaper. There are many options available. If you’re ready to learn more about dehumidifiers in Monroe, GA, we’re ready to help you explore the possibilities and find the system that’s best for you, your home, and your budget.
Reach out to Wall Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. to make an appointment.