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Tallahassee summers are known for their intense heat—but it’s the high humidity that often hits the hardest. If you’ve ever felt sticky inside your own home even with the air conditioner running, you’re not imagining things.
The truth is, summer humidity can overwhelm your AC system. We often hear from homeowners who are frustrated by uncomfortable indoor conditions even when their cooling system seems to be working. Here’s what you need to know about how humidity affects your air conditioner, what problems it can cause, and the AC repair and other solutions that can fix it.
The Role of Your AC in Humidity Control
Your air conditioner does help reduce humidity to some extent. As warm indoor air passes over the cold evaporator coil, moisture in the air condenses on the coil and drains away.
But there’s a catch: your AC is designed primarily to cool the air—not to dehumidify it.
In Tallahassee’s muggy summer climate, there’s often more moisture in the air than any residential AC can reasonably handle. Once humidity rises beyond a certain level, your system has to work harder to maintain comfort, and the results aren’t always satisfying. In fact, they rarely are.
Signs Humidity Is Overwhelming Your AC
If your home feels cool but clammy, or you find yourself constantly lowering the thermostat but never quite feeling comfortable, excessive humidity may be the issue. Here are a few common signs:
- Sticky or damp indoor air
- Foggy windows
- Muggy feeling despite a low thermostat setting
- Musty smells
- Mold or mildew growth
- AC running longer or short cycling
These symptoms indicate that your AC system is struggling to keep up with both cooling and moisture removal. Over time, leads to wear and tear on your system, higher energy bills, and air quality concerns.
How Humidity Can Damage Your AC
When humidity levels are consistently high, your AC must run longer to reach your desired temperature. This prolonged operation will speed up the wear on components like the compressor and blower motor. Additionally, excess moisture can lead to:
- Frozen evaporator coils due to restricted airflow
- Corrosion of internal components
- Increased likelihood of system breakdowns
High humidity also interferes with your thermostat’s readings, which can cause your AC to cycle on and off too quickly (short-cycling). This strains equipment and reduces energy efficiency.
Why You Should Consider a Whole-House Dehumidifier
Because your air conditioner can’t handle Tallahassee’s extreme humidity on its own, we recommend pairing it with a whole-house dehumidifier. These systems are designed specifically to draw excess moisture from the air before it enters the AC.
Benefits of a whole-home dehumidifier include:
- Improved comfort at higher thermostat settings
- Reduced strain on your air conditioner
- Better indoor air quality
- Lower energy bills
- Protection against mold, mildew, and moisture damage
When properly installed, a whole-house dehumidifier works seamlessly with your HVAC system to balance humidity levels throughout your home.
Get Relief From Tallahassee Humidity
Don’t let Florida’s summer humidity take over your home. Peaden is here to help homeowners in Tallahassee beat the heat and the moisture with expert AC repair and whole-house dehumidifier installation.
Call today to schedule an appointment with the Peaden Pros and find out how we can restore real comfort to your home with dehumidifier installation and AC repair in Tallahassee this summer.