With extreme humidity and high heat, Tampa residents are no strangers to how stuffy and uncomfortable humidity can make their homes — even when the air conditioning is running. As a result, many local homeowners may wonder whether their AC is doing enough to keep moisture in check.
In this blog post, the cooling experts at Hawkins Service Company explain how AC systems handle humidity, why you might still experience excess moisture, and when you may want to consider taking additional precautions.
AC Does Remove Humidity from Your Home
Air conditioners aren’t just designed to help reduce the overall temperature in your home; they’re also used to maintain ideal moisture levels. As warm, muggy air passes over your system’s evaporator coils, the coils cool the air. This cooling process causes the moisture to condense into water droplets, which are then drained away.
Dehumidification is a byproduct of normal AC performance and helps ensure a comfortable indoor environment. However, the degree of humidity control your system offers will depend on several factors, such as the system’s size, efficiency, and overall condition. If your air conditioner isn’t running optimally, it may not dehumidify your home effectively.
Call or contact Hawkins Service Company online to schedule air conditioning services in Tampa or Riverview today.
Why Your Home is So Humid with AC
If your home still feels humid despite having the air conditioning on, there could be several culprits to blame, including:
- Clogged or poorly maintained drain lines: If the condensate drain line is clogged, the moisture your air conditioner removes can’t drain properly, leading to higher indoor humidity.
- An improperly sized AC unit: An oversized unit cools the air too quickly without running long enough to dehumidify effectively. By contrast, an undersized system may struggle to keep up with cooling and dehumidifying.
- Old or inefficient AC systems: Older air conditioners may lose efficiency over time, resulting in less effective humidity control.
- Leaky ductwork: Duct leaks can introduce humid air into your home, making it more difficult for your air conditioner to maintain comfortable moisture levels.
- Faulty components: Issues like a broken thermostat or malfunctioning blower can hinder your system’s ability to dehumidify effectively.
It’s important to address issues in your air conditioner promptly to restore your system’s performance and help improve indoor humidity levels before small problems escalate into emergencies.
Do You Need a Whole-Home Dehumidifier?
In Tampa, high humidity is a serious problem for 60% of the year. From April through November, the comfort level is muggy, oppressive, or miserable at least one-third of the time. Given the extreme humidity in our region, it’s common for air conditioners to be insufficient for combating excess moisture in the home. You may want to consider adding a whole-home dehumidifier if:
- Your home feels damp or musty even with the AC running
- You notice persistent condensation on windows or walls
- Mold and mildew are recurring issues
- You want precise humidity control for better comfort and air quality
- Your home doesn’t feel cool enough at normal temperatures
A whole-home dehumidifier works in tandem with your air conditioner to remove excess moisture, creating a healthier, more comfortable, and cooler feeling living environment.
Choose Hawkins Service Company for AC Repair in Tampa
If your air conditioner is struggling to keep your home cool and dry, turn to the team at Hawkins Service Company to get the same-day AC repairs you need. Our team provides 24/7 emergency air conditioning repairs to families throughout Tampa, helping you achieve the perfect balance of comfort and moisture control. From diagnosing and fixing drainage issues to ensuring your system is the proper size, our expert technicians are here to help.
Don’t let humidity take over your home — call us or contact our team online to schedule AC repairs in Tampa or Riverview today.
