High humidity doesn’t only make you sweat and feel uncomfortable; it can also damage your HVAC. Homeowners should understand how high moisture levels in the air can create the need for air conditioning repair. Below are a few potential ways that high humidity can affect your AC.

What Does Humidity Do to HVAC Systems?

1. Causes Mold Growth

If your AC features ductwork, excess moisture will encourage mold growth by wetting the organic materials in the ducts. Skin cells, dust, and dander may all provide food for mold.

Change the filters every two months to prevent these contaminants from entering the system. Have a professional team clean the ductwork every year or two to remove any particles that bypass the filter. Keeping a regular maintenance schedule limits the likelihood of mold.

2. Increases Cooling Bills

Your utility bill increases during high humidity because AC systems must work harder to remove water from the air before cooling it. With the significant workload, you will need air conditioning repairs more often, as the system wears down quicker.  Additionally, humidity can make the air feel warmer, and your family might turn on the fan, further increasing your bills.

3. Lowers the AC Life Span

Since your air conditioner uses more electricity to remove moisture, they tend to cycle more frequently. Air conditioners often run longer during these periods, since it takes more time to mitigate the humidity. Additionally, systems that have evaporator coils may experience premature corrosion as the system stays wet longer. This issue can combine with engine overuse and shorten the life span of the appliance significantly.

If your family is interested in air conditioning repairs to address humidity issues, contact Lenox Heating & Cooling in Ross County, OH. The company has more than two decades of experience and has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau®. Call the Chillicothe-area company at (740) 702-2665 or visit the website for information on their heating and air conditioning repair, air duct cleaning, flat rate pricing system, and emergency services.