We've all been there: you come in from a humid Raleigh day, and despite the fact that cool air is blowing from your vents, your home still feels muggy and uncomfortable. Your air conditioner is a powerful cooling monster, but what many homeowners don't realize is that it's also a crucial dehumidifier. When your AC system isn't working right, it's not just your comfort that's lost—your home's ability to dehumidify is compromised, and a host of other issues follows.
At Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, we understand that effective residential AC repair is about more than getting your system to blow cold air again. It's about getting it to operate at full capacity, including its valuable function of removing moisture from the air.
Your AC cools your home by utilizing a process called a refrigeration cycle. Warm, damp air from your home is drawn into the system and passes over the cold evaporator coil. As the air hits the cold surface area, the water in the air condenses into liquid water, much like the condensation that forms on a cold glass of water on a hot day. This water drips into a condensate pan and is drained away, and the now cool, dry air is pushed back into your home. This is the way your AC both dehumidifies and cools your home.
If your house is sticky or damp even when your AC is on, it's a definite indication that a professional home AC repair is necessary. A few typical problems can impair your system's ability to dehumidify.
Correcting these issues with a professional home AC repair service from Ultra Air Heating & Cooling is more than just an issue of added comfort. Proper dehumidification has several long-term benefits to your health and house.
If you call Ultra Air Heating & Cooling to schedule a home AC repair, our technicians conduct a comprehensive diagnostic. We won't just look for a quick Band-Aid, but rather, we'll find out why your AC is experiencing performance issues, whether that's because of poor dehumidification, loss of cooling, or both. We'll provide you with an upfront, honest estimate and install only top-quality parts to build a lasting repair.
Common signs are a sticky, damp feel, musty odors, water condensing on windows or cold pipes, and visible evidence of mildew or mold. You can also gauge the relative humidity in your home with a hygrometer.
No. While a separate dehumidifier will help, it will not fix a problem with your AC unit. Your AC should be your primary source of dehumidification in the summer if it is functioning properly.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that indoor relative humidity be maintained between 30% and 50% to prevent mold growth and dust mites.
Yes. Most of the issues that plague dehumidification, like a clogged drain line or a failing fan motor, can also cause strange noises. A professional repair can often correct both problems.
Prevention is easiest with a regular professional AC tune-up. A technician will clean coils, check refrigerant levels, inspect the drain line, and attend to small issues before they become major ones during an annual service.
You're supposed to be completely comfortable in your home, and that's more than just cool air. If you feel like your AC is struggling to dehumidify, it's time to call in the professionals.
For professional home AC repair that restores both your comfort and your home's health, call Ultra Air Heating & Cooling. We'll have your system operating at its best. Call us today at (919) 348-9399.
At Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, we understand that effective residential AC repair is about more than getting your system to blow cold air again. It's about getting it to operate at full capacity, including its valuable function of removing moisture from the air.
The Science of Dehumidification
Your AC cools your home by utilizing a process called a refrigeration cycle. Warm, damp air from your home is drawn into the system and passes over the cold evaporator coil. As the air hits the cold surface area, the water in the air condenses into liquid water, much like the condensation that forms on a cold glass of water on a hot day. This water drips into a condensate pan and is drained away, and the now cool, dry air is pushed back into your home. This is the way your AC both dehumidifies and cools your home.
Why Your AC Might Be Failing at Dehumidification
If your house is sticky or damp even when your AC is on, it's a definite indication that a professional home AC repair is necessary. A few typical problems can impair your system's ability to dehumidify.
- Dirty Evaporator Coils: The evaporator coil is the heart of the dehumidification process. Over time, it accumulates a layer of dirt and grime. The dirt layer acts like an insulator and does not permit the coil to become cold enough to condense water vapor.
- Refrigerant Leaks: If your system is low on refrigerant, the pressure will be wrong, and the evaporator coil won't get cold enough. This will impact cooling and dehumidification directly. Repair by a professional involves finding and fixing the leak and recharging the system to the correct level.
- Clogged Condensate Drain Line: Your AC's extracted water has to go somewhere. If the drain line is clogged with algae, mold, or other obstructions, the water can back up and cause excess moisture to remain in the system and even cause water damage to your home.
- Improper Sizing: An AC that is too large for your home will cool the space too quickly and "short-cycle" (turn on and off again). This doesn't give the system enough time to run through a complete cycle and effectively remove moisture, leaving your home feeling cool but humid.
The Secret Advantages of a Professional AC Repair
Correcting these issues with a professional home AC repair service from Ultra Air Heating & Cooling is more than just an issue of added comfort. Proper dehumidification has several long-term benefits to your health and house.
- Improved Indoor Air Quality: Excess humidity is a breeding ground for mold, mildew, dust mites, and other allergens. By keeping your home's humidity in a healthy range (30% to 50% is optimal), you can significantly slow the growth of these unwelcome microorganisms, resulting in cleaner, healthier air for your family to breathe.
- More Energy Efficiency: Humid air feels warmer than dry air at the same temperature. So if your house is humid, you'll lower your thermostat to feel comfortable, causing your AC to run more and longer than it needs to. By restoring your system's dehumidifying, you can generally raise your thermostat a few degrees and be more comfortable, and that can mean actual savings on your energy bills.
- Protection of Home and Belongings: Too much moisture can lead to structural damage to your home and its belongings. Wood flooring will buckle, paint will peel, and electronics can be ruined. By keeping appropriate humidity levels, you are protecting your home's integrity and your possessions from water damage.
The Ultra Air Heating & Cooling Difference
If you call Ultra Air Heating & Cooling to schedule a home AC repair, our technicians conduct a comprehensive diagnostic. We won't just look for a quick Band-Aid, but rather, we'll find out why your AC is experiencing performance issues, whether that's because of poor dehumidification, loss of cooling, or both. We'll provide you with an upfront, honest estimate and install only top-quality parts to build a lasting repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know if my home is too humid?
Common signs are a sticky, damp feel, musty odors, water condensing on windows or cold pipes, and visible evidence of mildew or mold. You can also gauge the relative humidity in your home with a hygrometer.
2. Can I use a dehumidifier as a substitute for air conditioning repair?
No. While a separate dehumidifier will help, it will not fix a problem with your AC unit. Your AC should be your primary source of dehumidification in the summer if it is functioning properly.
3. What is the ideal humidity level in a house?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that indoor relative humidity be maintained between 30% and 50% to prevent mold growth and dust mites.
4. Will a professional AC repair quiet my system?
Yes. Most of the issues that plague dehumidification, like a clogged drain line or a failing fan motor, can also cause strange noises. A professional repair can often correct both problems.
5. How can I prevent dehumidification problems down the road?
Prevention is easiest with a regular professional AC tune-up. A technician will clean coils, check refrigerant levels, inspect the drain line, and attend to small issues before they become major ones during an annual service.
Don't Settle for a Sticky Home
You're supposed to be completely comfortable in your home, and that's more than just cool air. If you feel like your AC is struggling to dehumidify, it's time to call in the professionals.
For professional home AC repair that restores both your comfort and your home's health, call Ultra Air Heating & Cooling. We'll have your system operating at its best. Call us today at (919) 348-9399.