Humidity Makes Warm Weather Feel Hotter (and Stickier)
Indoor humidity problems can definitely make a hot day feel more miserable. And Myrtle Beach is no stranger to heat and humidity. Even the humidity charts label half of the year in coastal South Carolina as “oppressive” and “miserable.” Those “muggy” conditions happen when excess moisture remains in the air. Thankfully we live in an age where adequate cooling is the norm. It’s not uncommon in Myrtle Beach to hang inside on the hottest, most humid days, and venture outside for some beach fun or exercise in the late afternoon and evening.
Modern HVAC systems regulate indoor humidity, removing excess water from the air. This water leaves the house via a drain pipe. If your system is doing a good job removing moisture, cool air with feel drier inside, and you’ll have that sweet relief from Myrtle Beach’s muggy summer weather. If your AC isn’t removing moisture well, it will first seem as though your HVAC system isn’t cooling as well. You might also notice that it feels “stickier” and more humid in parts of your home.
Why Your HVAC May Not Be Removing Moisture and Lowering Humidity
There are a few reasons why your HVAC system may not be handling humidity control well. We’ll break it down so you’ll see the cause of the issue as well as the solution that your professional HVAC company will recommend.
Dirty, Clogged Coils: Your evaporator coil is responsible for for removing heat and humidity from the air. If your HVAC system isn’t filtering particulates, dust, and debris, you’ll end up with coils that are covered in grime. Dirty coils are less efficient in cooling and dehumidifying the air. The solution is a professional coil cleaning as well as regular change of all air filters. Keeping coils clean doesn’t take a lot of work. A scheduled clean and service twice a year is more than enough to keep your system in shape for the heavy workout a South Carolina summer calls for and potentially prevent indoor humidity problems.
Low Refrigerant Charge: Your AC system needs coolant, or refrigerant, to cool your air. The amount of refrigerant, or charge, is dependent upon HVAC system type, size, and ambient temperature. Too low a charge and your evaporator coil will be starved for coolant on those hot and humid days. Too much charge and you could find yourself with a flooded condenser should there be a sudden cold snap heading into fall. Chances are that an HVAC professional will check your refrigerant charge if there are complaints of indoor humidity. Adjusting the charge is a quick solution.
Incorrect Fan Speed: Higher fan speed is better, right? Not necessarily. If you move cool air into your home too quickly, you may not being getting your evaporator coil to remove enough moisture. Airflow at 400cfm (cubic feet per minute) may lower temperature indoors but not sufficiently tackle the humidity. Lowering the fan speed means airflow is slightly slower, giving the condenser adequate time to remove moisture.
Call Cooper for All Your HVAC Needs
Indoor humidity is no fun. Myrtle Beach is hot and sticky enough outside. You should be comfortable in your home. In addition to the causes of indoor humidity listed above, you might also experience poor humidity control if your system is improperly sized. While dehumidifying systems and other solutions exist, it’s best to investigate first to see if the problem has a simpler solution.
If you think your HVAC isn’t working as it should, give us a call. Cooper Mechanical Services has been helping Grand Strand homeowners and businesses since 1989. Let our family help keep your family comfortable. Call Cooper!