When you live in Florida, your home’s AC system does far more than just battle the heat. You’ll also need to rely on the AC unit to remove heavy moisture from the air that occurs year-round. High humidity forces the air conditioning system in your home to work harder and run longer to eliminate moisture in the air than it would in other environments.
When the AC unit can’t keep up, you might notice sticky indoor air and uneven cooling in your house. Having the AC run stop could also lead to rising energy bills while you still feel sticky and clammy. With the extra strain high humidity in Florida puts on AC systems, it’s common for them to have increased repair needs and shortened life spans.
The good news is that our team has lots of solutions for addressing the AC issues that high humidity causes. From scheduling routine HVAC maintenance to installing a new system, here’s everything you need to know to manage Florida’s moisture overload.
Quick Takeaways
- High humidity in Florida makes AC systems work longer and harder.
- Increased indoor moisture is uncomfortable, even if the thermostat says it’s the right temperature.
- An oversized system will have trouble removing humidity properly.
- Dirty coils and low airflow can worsen humidity problems.
- Humidity causes increased wear on AC components such as blowers and evaporator coils.
- Routine professional AC repairs and maintenance can help systems in Florida manage moisture better.
Understand Why Florida Humidity Is Hard On Air Conditioners
As AC systems cool the air, the evaporator coils condense moisture into droplets that are meant to drain away from the unit. But, Florida’s constant moisture load can lead to longer cooling cycles that naturally generate more condensation.
In the Florida panhandle, it is common to experience humidity levels that are over 80% in the summer months. Considering that the ideal humidity levels for inside a home fall within the range of 30% to 50%, you can see why an AC system needs to work double time to reduce moisture. Even then, it might not be enough, and the constant strain can lead to premature AC system breakdowns.
Know How Your AC Removes Humidity Every Time It Is Running
Air conditioners need everything to work just right to maintain cool temperatures and the right humidity levels. Evaporator coils can freeze up if there isn’t proper airflow.
When this happens, the condensation can freeze and accumulate instead of going down the drain line. A properly operating AC system will draw the moisture out of the air and send it down the condensate line to promote lower humidity.
Why Does High Humidity Make Your AC Run Longer?
As you are already experiencing, humid air feels much warmer compared to when it is dry. This extra heat can cause thermostat satisfaction delays.
When the thermostat detects heat, you’ll notice the system has extended cooling cycles. Seeing higher monthly cooling costs during swampy Florida summers can indicate inefficiency with the system.
Why Does Florida Humidity Create a Strange “Cold Air, Swamp Feeling” In Homes?
You can trust that you aren’t alone in feeling uncomfortable despite the cold air coming from the vents. Shorty cycling is closely connected to incomplete moisture revival that leaves everything feeling slightly damp. Our technicians also tend to find that oversized AC systems contribute to sticky indoor air conditions.
Does the Humidity Cause Increased Wear and Tear on AC Components?
Florida air conditioning systems can run year-round, which leads to excess wear and tear on these essential components and reduced lifespans overall.
- Compressors
- Evaporator coils
- Blower motors
- Condensate drains
Could Humid Air Be Coming In From Other Places In My Florida Home?
Duct leaks are another common reason why you could be feeling clammy. Florida attic conditions can intensify humidity problems, and it is possible that you could have leaks in the ductwork that allow moisture to infiltrate the cooled air.
Watch for Humidity Issues That Signal It’s Time to Call for an AC Repair
If you feel hot and sticky, then it is probably already time to call us out for an HVAC inspection. These signs can confirm your concerns:
- Freezing evaporator coils
- Noticeably long cooling cycles
- Water leaks are showing up around the unit
- Short cycling
- Spiking utility bills
- Worsening comfort indoors
FAQs
Why does the humidity in Florida make my AC run constantly?
Humid air has more moisture and heat, which triggers the thermostat to keep turning the AC on.
Could high humidity damage my air conditioner?
The humid air can damage the coils, blowers and other main components by causing extreme wear and tear, along with contributing to corrosion on metal parts.
Is there a reason why my house feels sticky even though the AC is running?
Poor dehumidification, accompanied by short cycling, is the main reason why indoor air feels sticky.
Can an oversized unit make the humidity worse?
When a unit is too big for the size of the house, it can have short run times that contribute to incomplete moisture removal.
Which is better: setting the thermostat to AUTO or ON in Florida?
The AUTO setting ensures that the system operates using the cooling mechanisms that remove moisture.
Restore Your Comfort by Reducing Humidity in Your Niceville Home
As a local company, we know how Florida humidity can push even newer AC systems to their limits, along with your tolerance for the heat. If you’ve noticed that your Niceville home has a cold air, swampy feeling, then you can rest assured that you don’t have to feel like you’re stuck in a wet beach towel for long.
Give our team at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating a call to get a diagnosis for your home’s AC problems. Whether we find frozen coils, an oversized system or refrigerant issues, we’ll provide prompt repairs that bring you greater comfort. Considering that we’re always on time or you won’t pay a dime, you can feel relieved knowing that our friendly HVAC technician is on their way to fix the problem ASAP.