How Humidity and Your HVAC Affect Your Comfort

Georgia is known for its humid summers and dry winters, which can make your home uncomfortable year-round. Humidity during the summer is oppressing and dry air in the winter can make it feel colder. Maintaining your HVAC system is the best way to manage your indoor humidity levels and keep your indoor climate as comfortable as possible. Here are how humidity and your HVAC system impact the indoor climate and comfort in your Georgia home.

Humidity refers to the moisture in the air. While the air in Georgia may be higher in humidity in the summer and lower in the winter, indoor humidity is impacted by more than just the outdoor climate. Humidity holds in heat, which makes it feel hotter in the summer and retain heat in the winter. You want to keep the humidity indoors between 45-55% in most cases to keep your home comfortable – too high and it will be hotter during the summer and cause mold and mildew issues. If your humidity drops too low, you can feel colder and have dry air issues that impact your respiratory system.

HVAC Maintenance for Humidity Control

The newer HVAC models have advanced options for controlling humidity levels. However, to perform efficiently, you need to ensure your system is maintained. In the Alpharetta area, it is vital for outdoor units to be serviced regularly to allow for energy efficient climate control year-round. The humidity levels during the summer can be hard on the outdoor units and make the condenser work harder.

Maintenance to keep the condenser coils and vents clean can make a difference on your HVAC performance and humidity levels. Routine tune-ups in the fall and spring are recommended for improved efficiency. For older or simpler HVAC systems without humidity control, adding a dehumidifier or a humidifier to your system can help manage humidity for improved comfort year-round.

At ClimateSmith, we are your source for HVAC repair, installation and maintenance for your home or business in Alpharetta, Cumming, Milton and the surrounding communities. If you want to improve your indoor comfort, schedule a tune-up for your HVAC system. Our techs can check your humidity levels and ensure your system is working efficiently for improved comfort and lower energy bills in all seasons.