Central Air Conditioning - shouldn't it help dehumidify your house???

[Wishing on a star]

We just got back from a weeks vacation at a timeshare unit.
Even though it was plenty hot and humid, It was always dry and comfortable in there. Towels that were hung up after use were dry the next morning.

Not so here at home!

Shouldn't central airconditioning pull more humidity out of the air.

Is there anything that we can do to help this?

I hate to think about buying a dehumidifier.

 

[kimmar067]

We just got back from a weeks vacation at a timeshare unit.
Even though it was plenty hot and humid, It was always dry and comfortable in there. Towels that were hung up after use were dry the next morning.

Not so here at home!

Shouldn't central airconditioning pull more humidity out of the air.

Is there anything that we can do to help this?

I hate to think about buying a dehumidifier.

...how often do you change your filter??

 

[clh2]

Yes, central air does pull humidity out of the air, but not all. Usually, there are things that "oppose" this effort. How cool is your thermostat setting. Many people, like us, try to keep the thermostat setting as high as possible to minimize energy costs, in addition, we have a set-back thermometer, to only cool when we are home. This doesn't help with the overall humidity in the house.

In our subdivision - many A/C's were undersized (by a lot) to save costs. I'm glad we bought our hosue without air, and we have an appropriate sized unit. An undersized unit will also not help the humidity.

Keeping your A/C tuned up will help it run more efficiently too! (furnace too!!)

We have a huumidifier in our basement. And do not give it a second thought. And, yes we know it adds to the elctricity bill. It definitley keeps the "mugginess" out of the basement.

 

[luvmy3]

We just got back from a weeks vacation at a timeshare unit.
Even though it was plenty hot and humid, It was always dry and comfortable in there. Towels that were hung up after use were dry the next morning.

Not so here at home!

Shouldn't central airconditioning pull more humidity out of the air.

Is there anything that we can do to help this?

I hate to think about buying a dehumidifier.

Was the temp at the time share set much lower than at your home, that makes a difference.

 

[bicker]

This is one reason why we have a service contract ... by keeping our a/c tuned up, we hopefully avoid a lot of these problems.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Me again,

Our unit is getting on in age, but it seems to be working fine, and seems adequate for our small home.

Yes, I change the filter very often!
Yes, I like it cool, and have even run the air until it was a bit chilly in here to try to draw out some humidity... According to the little temperature/humidity thing we have, it might lower it 3 or 4 or 5 percent... like from 56% down to 52%... But, that's it.

I just can't get over how much drier it was in our condo unit on vacation at Williamsburg a week ago!

Our towels and swimsuit would be mostly dry again my morning.

 

[Wishing on a star]

This is one reason why we have a service contract ... by keeping our a/c tuned up, we hopefully avoid a lot of these problems.

We used to know a guy who did HVAC...
To bad he is no longer available!

Last time we had trouble with our unit, the company that came out was ready to sell us a new one.... We didn't bite, and were able to get ahold of this family friend... He came out, all it needed was a new fuse!!!

 

[golfgal]

I would say that your problem is more of an issue with your unit then anything. I have never had a problem with our towels not drying overnight even on the most humid days here. We do occasionally run a dehumidifier in the basement but that doesn't do anything for the rest of the house.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

How often does your AC unit kick on? It sounds like it might be either undersized or just too old. The older AC units worked differently than the newer ones. The newer ones focus on lowering humidity rather than temperature. Your home can be very cool and comfortable at 76 degrees with low humidity. It can be uncomfortable at 72 degrees with higher humidity. My advice - consider a unit upgrade - but call in a few HVAC companies for ideas first. You are probably spending 2x - 3x more on electricity running the older unit than you would running a new unit.

 

[kidshop]

I think indoor humidity is supposed to be around 50%. mine is currently at 51%, the thermostat is set at 78 degrees and we are comfortable.

I live in FL and it is always super humid outside, so maybe that is why it's higher inside and still feels great, but I have never had trouble with moisture in the house or towels not drying etc.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Almost 80' and 50' humidity....
I would melt! Especially while working, cooking, vacuuming....

Less energy and AC in the summer if you like it warm!!!!

I think a newer unit might help.
I hate the thought of the cost of a new unit.
We just bought a washer and dryer...
Have replaced every major appliance except my stove since last Fall!!! (dishwasher, water heater, fridge. etc..)

Thanks everyone.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Almost 80' and 50' humidity....
I would melt! Especially while working, cooking, vacuuming....

Less energy and AC in the summer if you like it warm!!!!...

Not true - if you go into a home that has one of the better new units, your opinion would change.

 

[Art 1]

Make sure your fan selector switch is in the auto position. If it is make sure that the indoor fan cycles off when the unit reaches temperature. If the fan is running all the time this will greatly raise the humidity level. We see it all the time.

 

[DVCKennyD]

Definitely agree with the fan selector switch advice... Should be in the "Auto" position so it will only run when the A/C cycles. If it is in the "On" position, it will run continuously. Sounds good, until you realize that the moist,warm outside air is also being drawn into the conditioned space at the same time. No house is perfectly air-tight, and infiltration is a constant year round battle regardless of season.

Also, humidity removal is directly related to unit run times... In other words, if the outdoor condensing unit is not running, there is no humidity removal taking place. Unit run times are directly related to the sizing of the A/C system. An oversized unit will pull the house down to temperature too quickly, thus leaving you with a cool yet sticky/humid house.

Ken