Updated: May 23, 2025
Summer in Austin and San Antonio isn’t just hot, it’s also humid. Humid days are uncomfortable. Luckily, air conditioners do provide us relief by removing some of the humidity from the air. But how much humidity does an air conditioner remove exactly?
If you find that your air conditioner is running, but your house still feels humid, then call Radiant Plumbing and Air Conditioning. Our HVAC technicians are experts in climate control. Don’t suffer in the heat this summer; call us to repair your air conditioner today.
What Is Humidity?
Humidity measures the water vapor in the air. Warm air can hold more water vapor compared to cold air. At higher temperatures, water molecules move faster, which prevents condensation from occurring. Cooler air does not automatically mean lower humidity; humidity levels show how much moisture the air can hold.
To understand humidity, you need to know two things: absolute humidity and relative humidity.
- Absolute humidity measures the total amount of water vapor in the air. It does not change with temperature. More water vapor means higher absolute humidity.
- Relative humidity shows how much water vapor the air has compared to the most it can hold at a certain temperature. It is usually given as a percentage. For example, 50% relative humidity means the air holds half the water vapor it could at that temperature. If relative humidity is 100%, the air is full of moisture. This can cause condensation, often seen as fog.
How Do Air Conditioners Remove Humidity?
Your air conditioning system works by taking in the indoor air through vents and registers in your home toward the evaporator coil in your AC unit. The coil contains a cooling chemical called refrigerant. Refrigerant cycles through your air conditioner, changing between a liquid and gaseous form. The refrigerant absorbs the moisture and warmth from the indoor air and transmits it back into your home. The excess condensation collects in the unit’s drain pan and then is funneled outside through a condensate drain pipe.
How Much Humidity Does an A/C Remove?
You want the relative humidity in your home to be between 30-50%. Many things decide how much moisture your air conditioner can take out, including the current humidity outside and the type of HVAC system you have. Well-maintained air conditioners can do a good job of removing humidity. However, when the humidity levels are too high, ACs can struggle to keep your home’s humidity level at a comfortable range. If you’re finding that your home is too humid, even when the humidity levels are not sky high outside, then call Radiant Plumbing and Air to inspect your AC system.
Problems Caused If the Humidity in Your Home Is Too High or Too Low
A humid home can promote the growth of mold and mildew. You may also notice condensation on toilet tanks and windows if your home is too humid. A home that isn’t humid enough, meanwhile, can cause dry air, which causes dry skin, sinus issues, and static electricity. This is why the air in your home is dry in the winter because there isn’t enough humidity.
Make sure your home is properly ventilated and that fans in bathrooms and kitchens are working optimally to prevent excess humidity. Dehumidifiers can also help remove humidity in certain rooms, but if you have poor HVAC humidity control, you may want to consider a whole-house dehumidifier.
Restore Comfort with Our Expert AC Repair
A well-functioning air conditioning system is essential for maintaining a comfortable home environment. If you find that your home still feels too humid despite your AC running, it may be time to call Radiant Plumbing and Air Conditioning for professional AC repair. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, our skilled technicians will diagnose and resolve any issues that may be preventing your air conditioner from effectively removing moisture from the air. Don’t let high humidity make your home uncomfortable; trust us to restore the optimal cooling and air quality you deserve.
Too Humid at Home? Just Call Radiant.
If you have more questions about how humidity can affect your home, talk to the professionals at Radiant Plumbing and Air Conditioning to see how you can improve the comfort levels in your home.
