The humid summers in Des Moines, Iowa, can get muggy and uncomfortable. You set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature. The air conditioner starts up as expected. But, even after your AC cycles, your home still feels moist and clammy.
That’s not very comfortable.
It can be disappointing when the air conditioner seems to operate normally, yet your home doesn't actually feel very comfortable. If your rooms feel humid but thermostat says cool, you're in good company. Many area homeowners have this problem.
Why is this? Temperature and humidity are two different measurements in your home. A temperature only tells you how comfortable the air is within the room. It doesn't measure how much humidity is in your home. When humidity levels are extremely high, your home can feel warmer than the thermostat indicates, due to indoor humidity problems.
In this article, you'll learn how humidity affects your home comfort, common reasons your home feels humid even when the temperature is right and simple troubleshooting steps you can try to reduce humidity in your Des Moines, Iowa, home. That way, you’ll know when you should call experts like the team at Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling for support.
Why a Home Can Feel Humid Even If the Temperature Is Cool
Your home's temperature is only part of what makes your home enjoyable. The amount of moisture in the air is also an equally important factor. The majority of homes are the most comfortable when indoor relative humidity falls between 30% and 50%. When a home has high indoor humidity, the air feels warmer, more oppressive and stickier—even if the actual air temperature is cool.
High humidity can also promote dangerous mold growth, mildew, musty odors and other indoor air quality issues. That's why your house feels humid but the AC is running—your system may be cooling the air without extracting enough moisture.
Reasons Your Home Feels Humid Even with the AC Running
Making your home in Des Moines, Iowa, muggy conditions can be a problem.
Countless area homeowners deal with the same question: Why does my house feel humid?
There are a variety of common explanations. Understanding what's creating humidity problems is a good first step toward resolving the problem.
Here are several common reasons for high indoor humidity levels in Des Moines, Iowa:
AC is Too Large
1. Oversized Air Conditioning
An AC unit that's larger than your home actually needs cools your home too quickly. The problem is an oversized AC often doesn’t remove humidity effectively because it turns off before completing a complete cooling cycle.
2. Blocked Air Filter
A dirty air filter limits airflow throughout your HVAC system. This makes it more difficult for your equipment to extract humidity while cooling your home.
3. Obstructed Condensate Drain
Your AC collects moisture from your home’s air and and then it drains from the equipment through a condensate line. If that drain becomes restricted, moisture can't drain from the system properly, contributing to increased humidity levels.
4. Dirty Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil pulls both heat and moisture from your home's air. Ice formation or excessive dirt on the coil limits its effectiveness and often requires professional AC repair services to fix.
5. Damaged Ductwork
Ductwork transports cool air throughout your living space. Gaps in ductwork can pull warm, humid air from attics, crawl spaces or other unconditioned areas into your HVAC system. This additional moisture makes it more difficult to maintain comfortable humidity levels.
6. Thermostat Fan Set to “On” Switch to “Auto”
If your thermostat fan is running on "On" instead of "Auto", the blower continues running after the cooling cycle is finished. This can blow moisture collected on the evaporator coil back into your home instead of letting it to drain away.
7. Extremely Humid Weather
During the area’s very humid summers, your HVAC system has to operate more to remove moisture from the air. Even when your air conditioner is operating correctly, sometimes your home feels muggy because outdoor humidity continues to seep into your home through doors, windows and normal air leakage.
8. Poorly Maintained HVAC Equipment
As heating and cooling systems wear out over time, they often become less capable at controlling humidity. HVAC maintenance enhances performance, increases efficiency and helps find worn-out parts. Neglecting regular air conditioning maintenance can decrease performance, including your system's ability to control moisture.
What You Can Check Before Calling an HVAC Technician
If your house feels humid, there are some simple things you can check before scheduling service. These DIY tips are easy ways to improve indoor comfort by helping your heating and cooling system remove moisture more effectively.
- Replace a dirty air filter. A clean heating and cooling system air filter allows proper airflow, helping your system circulate air through and dehumidify your home more efficiently.
- Confirm the thermostat fan is set to Auto. This allows moisture to flow out after each cooling cycle instead of being blown back into your living spaces.
- Check that supply and return vents are open and unobstructed. Rugs or furniture over the vents or closed vents can restrict airflow throughout your home.
- Check for water around the indoor unit. Water by your AC equipment may signal a clogged condensate drain or another drainage issue.
- Pay attention to how your air conditioner should run. If the AC is short cycling or turning on and off frequently, or it seems to run constantly without cooling your home, it's time to have the system inspected by a professional.
Even if your thermostat still says cool but house feels humid, do not attempt repairs with refrigerant, electrical components or internal HVAC parts. Do-it-yourself fixes may be tempting, but these repairs require professional training and should always be left to a qualified HVAC technician.
Could You Benefit from a Whole-Home Dehumidifier?
If you have humidity in your house during summer or year-round moisture problems, a whole-home dehumidifier may be worth considering. Unlike portable units that only help reduce moisture in one room or area, a whole-home dehumidifier works alongside your HVAC system to control humidity throughout your entire house.
Just one of Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling's indoor air quality solutions, a whole-home dehumidifier keeps your home more comfortable while helping reduce the risk of mold, musty odors and excess moisture. It can be especially helpful for homes in damp climates or properties that continue to have humidity even with a properly functioning AC.
Signs It's Time to Request HVAC Service
Persistent HVAC humidity issues often point to an larger problem that needs professional repair. The technicians at Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling will check refrigerant charge, airflow, blower performance and evaporator coils to determine why your system isn't managing humidity effectively. They can also check ductwork, condensate drainage and overall system sizing to identify the root cause.
We also can get you scheduled for a heating and cooling tune-up. Seasonal seasonal tune-ups help find small problems before they become potentially expensive repairs. That's why Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling offers an HVAC maintenance plan that makes regular inspections budget-friendly and stress-free.
If basic troubleshooting doesn't fix your indoor humidity problems, trust Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling for dependable HVAC service in Des Moines, Iowa.
Schedule HVAC service online or call 515-278-2900 today to fix your indoor humidity issues once and for all.