There is a misconception that HVAC systems are all about controlling the temperature. While it is the main focus of these appliances, air conditioners and heaters are also designed to manage humidity. The moisture level in the air can make the environment feel hotter or colder that what the temperature reading might suggest. If it is not addressed properly, then it the uncomfortable feeling will not go away. HVAC units simultaneously manage heat and humidity for best results.
Air Conditioning and High Humidity
Sweating is the body’s natural way of cooling itself. When the indoor humidity is high, a hot room can feel even warmer because the sweat on our skin cannot evaporate as readily as it should. The windows might even fog up because of the vapor in the air. In extreme cases, it dampens things inside the house which eventually creates a musty odor. These are best resolved by using a dehumidifier in addition to an A/C.
For mild humidity, the air conditioner should be able to handle things by itself. The condenser coils get cold enough to turn the moisture in the air into liquid form which eases things a bit. This should work well as long as the size of the A/C is right for the room. If it is too small, then it will have a hard time providing enough cooling power. If it is too big, then it will cool the room too quickly and go idle before removing enough moisture from the air.
Heating and Low Humidity
Low humidity triggers the opposite effect. The sweat on the skin evaporates much faster so it tends to feel colder than it really is. Turning up the thermostat settings may help with this but it would consume a lot of fuel. Heaters are capable of slightly increasing the humidity level for better comfort. In case homeowners are not content with this, they can use a humidifier for added moisture. This can be installed on the heating system to augment humidity before the warm air goes through the ducts.
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