Homeowners rely on their air conditioning systems to control their houses’ temperatures, but many forget about the humidity levels. If the humidity is too high, it can overwhelm your system. Here’s what every homeowner should know about excess humidity and what you can do about it.

What Happens When Humid Air Meets an Air Conditioning Unit?

Your air conditioning equipment cools the air in your home by passing it over a cold evaporator coil, so water from that air naturally condenses onto this surface. The air that passes through your unit is dryer, and the water from the evaporator coil falls down into your air conditioner’s drip pan and runs out of the home through the drain line. This constant moisture can cause mildew, so the drip pan and drain line need to be cleaned at least once a year.

When the humidity is over 60%, the air conditioning still removes some water; however, there’s a limit to what one evaporator coil can do. Damp air feels warmer than dry air, so you’re likely to set the thermostat lower and make your air conditioning system work harder to maintain your home at a comfortable temperature. This puts unnecessary strain on the AC, so you’re more likely to need air conditioner repairs due to wear and tear, and it also uses extra electricity.