Why You Should Pair a Dehumidifier With Your Air Conditioning

Batman and Robin. Jordan and Pippen. Peanut butter and jelly. Everyone loves a dynamic duo. When it comes to keeping your home cool and comfy this summer, don’t make your air conditioning do the job alone. Give it a powerful, new partner – a dehumidifier.

Why managing humidity is important in your home

When we look at indoor moisture levels, we use the relative humidity level. This is a percentage of the maximum humidity level present for the current temperature. If the relative humidity level is 100% and the temperature is 80, that means the air can’t hold any more water vapor.

Inside, relative humidity can change the way a room feels, even if the temperature stays the same. For example, if the indoor temperature is 75 degrees but the relative humidity level is high, it will feel even hotter than 75. But if we can lower the relative humidity level, then it will feel cooler than 75. 

Your central air conditioning system does pull some moisture out of the indoor air, but these capabilities are limited. That’s where a whole-home dehumidifier comes into play. 

How a dehumidifier works with your air conditioning

When installed with your existing ventilation system, a dehumidifier can remove excess moisture from the air in your home. Even more important, it can control the relative humidity level to provide the maximum comfort. We recommend the humidity level being 30-50% in the summer.

So how does this impact your air conditioning? In a few different ways. Since the humidity level is taken care of, the AC can focus on what it does best – cooling and circulating air. This reduces wear-and-tear on the air conditioning unit, which can help it work better and extend its service life.

Second, when the humidity level is properly managed, it will feel cooler inside than the thermostat says. So many of our customers are able to set their ACs a few degrees higher, which cuts down on energy use. In other words, you stay just as comfortable but save money. Sounds like a win-win to us.

Dehumidifier installation

Now’s the time to get prepared for another hot, humid summer here Virginia. With the dynamic duo of air conditioning and a whole-home dehumidifier, you’re sure to be cool and happy inside your home. For a free estimate on installing a dehumidifier, contact the HVAC experts at Robert B. Payne, Inc. Send us a message or call (540) 373-5876 to schedule an appointment today.