It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity! Surely you’ve heard it said, and maybe you’ve even said it yourself. If you’ve ever been to someplace like Arizona, you’ve had the opportunity to feel the difference between dry heat and Florida’s humid heat. It makes a huge difference! Why does humidity make you feel hotter? Is it bad for your health? Is it bad for your air conditioning? Here’s what you should know.
How Your Body Cools Itself
When you’re overheated, you perspire. The moisture on your skin is carried away by the air, and with it, heat is also carried away. As long as the air is a tiny bit cooler than your body—say, 90 degrees compared to your 98.6—each air molecule that bumps into you will cool you down a tiny bit. But when that air is already heavily saturated with moisture, it can’t absorb any of your perspiration. You’ll just get sweatier and sweatier without cooling yourself off.
Other Impacts of High Humidity
When your home is very humid, things made of wood swell from the moisture. Windows and doors don’t fit in their frames so well, and it can be hard to shut them properly. Furniture and even structural aspects of your home can be damaged. Wallpaper and paint can bubble and peel.
Perhaps most concerning of all, the higher the humidity in the air, the easier it is for mold to grow. Not only is it unsightly, and hard to thoroughly clean and remove, it gives your whole home a musty, mildew odor. And breathing mold spores in a humid, moldy home can be hazardous to your health! So it is true that poor indoor air quality from humidity can be bad for you as well as for your home.
How Humidity Impacts Your Air Conditioner
Because of the way your body cools itself, humidity has a significant impact on what temperature feels comfortable in your home. Eighty degrees and extremely humid could feel too hot, but eighty degrees with low humidity may feel pleasantly cool by comparison. In order to feel cool enough in very humid air, you will have to set your thermostat lower.
This forces your air conditioner to work more of the time—perhaps constantly, depending on the outdoor temperature. The increased wear and tear will lead to more frequent repair needs, strain on the essential and irreplaceable compressor, and a shorter lifespan for the system. Yes, high humidity in your home will mean you need to buy a new air conditioner sooner.
Whole House Dehumidifiers
While portable dehumidifiers are an option, they have very limited effectiveness in a large space like an entire home. Whole house dehumidifier installation in Pensacola Beach, FL can solve your humidity problem throughout the house for the long term. Your body will feel cooler, your home won’t be damaged by swelling and mold, your indoor air quality will be higher, and your AC system will last longer and need fewer repairs.
For professional dehumidifier services, look no further than Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. Contact us today!