My AC Is Running But My Home Feels Humid — What’s Wrong?

Just like outdoors, when the humidity is high inside your home, it can make it feel much hotter than it actually is. This is because humidity interferes with your natural cooling mechanism: sweating. When the air is saturated with moisture, it makes it harder for the sweat to evaporate and cool your body.

If your air conditioner seems to be running fine, but it still feels humid in your home, there may be one or more issues affecting your unit:

Dirty Condenser Coils

For an air conditioner to effectively remove heat from your home, it needs good air circulation over the condenser coils in the outdoor portion of the system.

When the condenser is packed with dirt, leaves, grass clippings, and other debris, the air can’t reach the coils to cool them, and the heat exchange process comes almost to a halt.

To get your system working properly again, schedule AC repairs to have the coils professionally cleaned, then keep them clean with annual AC maintenance.

Incorrect Thermostat Settings

When an air conditioner is running, the refrigerant in the evaporator expands and absorbs heat, cooling the air and allowing moisture to condense out, leaving the air less humid. If your thermostat isn’t set correctly, the AC may seem to be running, but only because the blower fan is constantly on.

Check your thermostat to ensure the temperature is set to 78 degrees or lower and the fan is set to auto and not on. The auto setting allows the fan to run only while the compressor is cooling so that warm, humid air isn’t constantly recirculated throughout your home.

Frozen Evaporator Coils

Like the condenser coils, the evaporator coils need good airflow to absorb heat and cool the air. If the coils are dirty, the air filter is clogged, or the blower fan isn’t working properly, airflow may be compromised, which prevents the coil from absorbing heat properly and allows it to freeze, leaving your home hot and humid.

First, make sure a dirty filter isn’t the cause and change your filter if needed. You can thaw your unit by turning the system off and the fan on.

If the issue persists, call for emergency AC repairs to fix the problem. You’ll need an HVAC technician to determine why the evaporator froze up in the first place so you can safely turn it back on.

Inadequate System Size

If your air conditioner is not sized properly for your home, it can cause cooling and dehumidification issues. A system that’s too small will run constantly and struggle to keep your home comfortable.

On an extremely hot and humid day, the compressor may even overheat and shut down, leaving only the fan running. A system that’s too large will also cycle on and off too often, preventing it from dehumidifying properly.

If your AC isn’t matched to the size of your home, an AC replacement is the best option for efficient, reliable cooling.

Advanced System Age

An older air conditioning system may have trouble keeping up with your cooling demands due to wear and tear, failing parts, refrigerant leaks, duct leaks, and more. If your AC is over 10 years old, it may be time for a replacement.

A new air conditioner will cool your home better and use less energy, lowering your utility bills. Consider scheduling an energy audit to identify other ways to improve HVAC efficiency, such as sealing leaky ductwork or replacing drafty windows.

High Outdoor Humidity

When it’s humid outside, it will be much harder for your AC to keep your home cool and comfortable. Consider installing a dehumidifier for your Puget Sound home to help your air conditioner do its job more effectively.

A whole-home dehumidifier efficiently removes excess humidity from the air, leaving it cooler, healthier, and more comfortable.

Schedule Air Conditioning Services in Kent, WA

When you need help troubleshooting and repairing your air conditioning system, talk to AAA Heating & Air Conditioning. Our certified, background-checked technicians are dedicated to your comfort, proudly serving homeowners throughout Kent and the Puget Sound area.

With over 35 years of experience, we offer superior service backed by excellent customer reviews, upfront pricing, and free estimates. Our team is available for 24/7 emergency AC repairs, and we provide special offers to help you save money.

We also offer financing options, so your budget doesn’t prevent you from getting the services you need.

Call AAA Heating & Air today to schedule AC services in Kent, Reston, or the surrounding area.