Do Air Conditioners Dehumidify?
A curious homeowner recently contacted H&H Heating and Air Conditioning with a great question: Do air conditioners dehumidify? This was not only a good question but a timely one, since the dog days of summer are in full force. The short but unsatisfying answer is, Yes, air conditioners most certainly dehumidify. For more on the story, you have to know a little about the behavior of gases and some basic science.
Humidity
During hot summer months, our Delaware Valley air masses are laden with moisture because warmer air holds more water vapor than cooler air. You notice in winter, your house dries out, your throat gets itchy; you may need to improve indoor air quality with a humidifier. In summer, the opposite is true, and you need to pull humidity out of your home’s air.
Dehumidification
The secret to ridding homes of excess moisture is to chill the air as it circulates through ductless mini split installation or larger central air conditioners (single packages or split systems). Cooler air holds less moisture, and the water vapor literally drops from the gaseous mix.
Air conditioners’ evaporator coils are extremely cold; warm, moist house air passes over them. The chill condenses the water vapor out of the air, allowing it to drain from the evaporator coil to outside (or down a drain). This is why you may see water around large split system air conditioners, outdoors—the units’ condensate tubes are draining.
Benefits
Dryer, cooler indoor air is enjoyable in summer. You feel cooler because perspiration evaporates quickly into the dry air. The temperature need not be down to a budget-busting 68°F for everyone to feel comfortable. Most homeowners set their central air conditioners for 74°F or 76°F and let the evaporator pull excess humidity from the air.
To learn more about energy efficiency and dehumidifying your Delaware Valley home’s indoor air while optimizing your home’s central air conditioner, contact H&H Heating and Air Conditioning today.
A curious homeowner recently contacted H&H Heating and Air Conditioning with a great question: Do air conditioners dehumidify? This was not only a good question but a timely one, since the dog days of summer are in full force. The short but unsatisfying answer is, Yes, air conditioners most certainly dehumidify. For more on the story, you have to know a little about the behavior of gases and some basic science.
Humidity
During hot summer months, our Delaware Valley air masses are laden with moisture because warmer air holds more water vapor than cooler air. You notice in winter, your house dries out, your throat gets itchy; you may need to improve indoor air quality with a humidifier. In summer, the opposite is true, and you need to pull humidity out of your home’s air.
Dehumidification
The secret to ridding homes of excess moisture is to chill the air as it circulates through ductless mini split installation or larger central air conditioners (single packages or split systems). Cooler air holds less moisture, and the water vapor literally drops from the gaseous mix.
Air conditioners’ evaporator coils are extremely cold; warm, moist house air passes over them. The chill condenses the water vapor out of the air, allowing it to drain from the evaporator coil to outside (or down a drain). This is why you may see water around large split system air conditioners, outdoors—the units’ condensate tubes are draining.
Benefits
Dryer, cooler indoor air is enjoyable in summer. You feel cooler because perspiration evaporates quickly into the dry air. The temperature need not be down to a budget-busting 68°F for everyone to feel comfortable. Most homeowners set their central air conditioners for 74°F or 76°F and let the evaporator pull excess humidity from the air.
To learn more about energy efficiency and dehumidifying your Delaware Valley home’s indoor air while optimizing your home’s central air conditioner, contact H&H Heating and Air Conditioning today.
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