The humid summers in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, can get muggy and uncomfortable. You change the thermostat to a ideal temperature. The AC kicks on right away. But, even after your air conditioner operates, your home still feels moist and clammy.
That’s not very comfortable.
It can be frustrating when the air conditioner seems to be doing its job, yet your home doesn't actually feel pleasant. If your rooms feel humid but thermostat says cool, you're not alone. Many area homeowners have this problem.
Why? Temperature and humidity are two different factors in indoor comfort. A temperature only tells you how comfortable the air is within your home. It doesn't measure the amount of moisture in the air. When humidity levels are extremely high, your home can feel much hotter than the thermostat indicates, due to indoor humidity problems.
In this guide, you'll learn how humidity affects your comfort, common reasons your home feels humid even when the temperature is correct and basic troubleshooting steps you can try to reduce humidity in your Siloam Springs, Arkansas, home. That way, you’ll know when you should contact experts like the team at Siloam Springs Heating & AC for support.
Why Your Home Can Feel Humid Even Though the Temperature Is Right
Your home's temperature is only part of what makes your house enjoyable. The amount of moisture in the air is also an equally important factor. The majority of homes are typically more comfortable when indoor relative humidity falls between 30% and 50%. When a home has high indoor humidity, the air feels warmer, heavier and stickier—even if the actual air temperature is cool.
High humidity can also encourage dangerous mold growth, mildew, bad smells 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 removing enough moisture.
Reasons Your Home Feels Humid Even with the AC Running
Residing in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, excess moisture can be a problem.
Plenty of area homeowners deal with the same question: What's making my house feel humid?
There are several common causes. Identifying what's creating excess humidity is the best place to start toward fixing the problem.
Here are several common reasons for high indoor humidity levels in Siloam Springs, Arkansas:
Oversized Air Conditioner
1. Oversized Air Conditioning
An AC that's larger than your home actually needs cools your home too quickly. The problem is an oversized AC often doesn’t eliminate humidity effectively because it stops operating before completing a proper cooling cycle.
2. Dirty Air Filter
A blocked air filter restricts airflow throughout your HVAC system. This makes it challenging for your equipment to extract humidity while cooling your home.
3. Clogged Condensate Drain
Your air conditioning pulls out moisture from your indoor air and drains it outside through a condensate line. If that drain becomes blocked, moisture can't leave the system properly, contributing to increased humidity levels.
4. Frozen Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil extracts both heat and moisture from your home's indoor air. Dirt and grime on the coil limits its effectiveness and often requires professional AC repair services to restore performance.
5. Damaged Ductwork
Ductwork transports cool air throughout your living space. Gaps in ductwork can allow warm, humid air from attics, crawl spaces or other uninhabited areas into your HVAC system. This additional moisture makes it harder to maintain comfortable humidity conditions.
6. Thermostat Fan Set to “On” Change to “Auto”
If your thermostat fan is running on "On" instead of "Auto", the blower keeps running after the cooling cycle ends. This can push moisture collected on the evaporator coil back into your home instead of letting it to drain away.
7. Exceptionally Humid Weather
During the area’s extremely humid summers, your HVAC system has to work harder 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. Aging HVAC Equipment
As HVAC systems age, they often become less efficient at controlling humidity. HVAC maintenance optimizes performance, improves efficiency and helps detect worn-out parts. Putting off regular air conditioning maintenance can limit performance, including your system's ability to remove moisture.
Simple Checks to Make Before Contacting an HVAC Technician
If your house feels humid, there are a few simple things you can check before booking service. These DIY tips are easy ways to improve indoor comfort by helping your heating and cooling system remove moisture more effectively.
- Check your HVAC air filter. A clean heating and cooling system air filter allows proper airflow, helping your system cool and dehumidify your home better.
- Make sure the thermostat fan is set to Auto. This allows moisture to drain away after each cooling cycle instead of being circulated 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 limit airflow throughout your home.
- Check for water around the indoor unit. Water near your AC equipment may indicate a clogged condensate drain or another drainage-related issue.
- Monitor 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 like it should, it's time to have the system evaluated by a professional.
Even if your thermostat still says cool but house feels humid, do not attempt repairs involving refrigerant, electrical components or internal HVAC parts. Do-it-yourself fixes may be tempting, but these repairs require advanced training and should always be handled by a qualified HVAC technician.
Does Your Home Need a Whole-Home Dehumidifier?
If you struggle with 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 with your HVAC system to control humidity throughout your entire house.
Just one of Siloam Springs Heating & AC's indoor air quality solutions, a whole-home dehumidifier makes your home more comfortable while lowering the risk of mold, musty odors and excess moisture. It can be extremely beneficial for homes in damp climates or properties that still have humidity even with a properly functioning AC.
When It's Time to Schedule HVAC Service
Ongoing HVAC humidity issues often are caused by an larger problem that needs professional repair. The technicians at Siloam Springs Heating & AC will check refrigerant charge, airflow, blower performance and evaporator coils to find why your system isn't removing humidity effectively. They can also evaluate ductwork, condensate drainage and overall system sizing to pinpoint the root cause.
We also can get you set up with an HVAC tune-up. Routine seasonal tune-ups help catch small problems before they become major breakdowns. That's why Siloam Springs Heating & AC offers an HVAC maintenance plan that helps make regular inspections cost-effective and hassle-free.
If basic troubleshooting doesn't fix your problem, trust Siloam Springs Heating & AC for dependable HVAC service in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
Schedule HVAC service online or call 479-448-2261 today to restore your comfort.
