What You Need to Know about Air Conditioning and Humidity
admin • June 26, 2013

“It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.” This is a common phrase that most of have heard (or said) during the summer. It seems that despite the best efforts of our air conditioners, we may still find that the humidity and heat are unstoppable during the dog days of summer. Even homes that have excellent air conditioners with high performance values may be frustrated by stuffy and uncomfortable levels of humidity in the home. While your AC does dehumidify the air, this does not often impact the relative humidity of the entire home enough. In today’s post, we’d like to examine the relation between air conditioning and humidity in more detail. Call the Portland, OR air conditioning technicians at Clean Air Act today for cooling services throughout the Portland, CA area.

As part of the cooling cycle process, your AC dehumidifies the air. The indoor evaporator circulates a cool, liquid refrigerant through its coils. As the warm indoor air blows through the coils, it causes the refrigerant inside to evaporate. In turn, this cooling process partially dehumidifies the air, which leaves condensed water on the coils that drips into the condensate drain pan. But this process only dehumidifies as part of the cooling process as a whole, and high humidity levels outside will still entail high humidity inside the home, too.

When this dehumidification process is not enough, you should consider installing a whole-house dehumidifier. While portable units can be good in a pinch, to be truly comfortable and to be able to control the level of humidity in your home, you need a device that integrates directly within your existing HVAC system. High humidity can lead to stuffy air, mold growth inside your ductwork, condensation on the walls and floors, and even damp carpeting.

If you’re looking for a way to improve your comfort, you need to make sure that your air conditioner is in great working shape, and that you’re taking all the necessary steps towards excellent indoor air quality. Call Clean Air Act today for excellent air conditioning services throughout the Portland, CA area .

A thermostat with a smiley face on it is covered in a knitted hat.
By Rodger Brown May 5, 2025
Learn four common signs that you need a new gas furnace.
The inside of an electric furnace is shown with the door open.
By Rodger Brown April 21, 2025
Learn the early warning signs can help you avoid a complete breakdown and keep your home warm, safe, and energy-efficient throughout the colder months.
A woman and a boy are playing with a dog on a couch.
By Rodger Brown April 7, 2025
Learn the top benefits of getting ahead of AC repairs before minor problems turn into major headaches. The post What Are the Benefits of Taking Action Early on AC Repairs? first appeared on Clean Air Act Inc..
A person is holding a remote control in front of an air conditioner.
By Rodger Brown March 24, 2025
Learn about the key steps involved in a ductless heat pump installation and why professional expertise makes all the difference. The post Steps for Installing a Ductless Mini Split System first appeared on Clean Air Act Inc..
A close up of a humidifier in a room with a plant in the background.
By Rodger Brown March 10, 2025
Learn about the benefits of a humidifier and how one of these unique systems can benefit your family.  The post What Are the Benefits of a Whole-House Humidifier? first appeared on Clean Air Act Inc..
The Clean Air Act Technician is holding a thermometer in front of a furnace.
By Rodger Brown February 24, 2025
Learn about three repairs that we get calls for when it comes to gas furnaces and the signs of each one. The post 3 Common Gas Furnace Repair Needs first appeared on Clean Air Act Inc..
Show More