How Humidity Affects HVAC Energy Efficiency

Cooling and heating costs comprise a significant chunk of your household electricity bill. That’s why it’s important for homeowners to have a basic understanding of the different factors that can affect their HVAC system’s energy efficiency. One such factor is humidity, which not only lowers your HVAC system’s energy efficiency, but also reduces indoor comfort in the summer and winter.

Stone Heating and Air, a trusted HVAC maintenance company, further elaborates below.

HVAC Energy Efficiency

High Indoor Humidity & High Cooling Costs in the Summer

High indoor humidity is the usual culprit behind a muggy smell inside your home and a thick, heavy feeling in the air. Turning on the air conditioner can help reduce indoor humidity. Initially, the air conditioner will have to work harder to get indoor humidity levels under control. However, if it doesn’t have enough capacity or is too inefficient, your home might feel warmer than usual thanks to the excess moisture left in the air. And since not all of the excess moisture is removed, your AC will need to continuously work harder, increasing wear and tear on its sensitive components.

Low Indoor Humidity & High Heating Costs in the Winter

In the winter, you encounter the opposite problem: low indoor humidity, which can dry out your skin and sinuses. It also produces the same problem: a spike in household electricity consumption. Only this time, it’s caused by higher heating costs.

Keeping Indoor Humidity at Optimal Levels 

Indoor humidity levels can’t be too low or too high. In the summer, humidity levels should be below 50%—ideally 30% to 45%—and around 40% in the winter. Here are some tips on keeping indoor humidity at optimal levels:

  • Lowering indoor humidity – Turn on the air conditioner and exhaust fans.

  • Increasing indoor humidity – Install a humidifier and bring some houseplants into your house.

If none of these work, you should have a home heating repair technician inspect your AC or HVAC system. Faulty components might be to blame for lower indoor comfort.

Are you looking for HVAC contractors near you?

Stone Heating and Air offers a wide range of professional HVAC services, including HVAC repair and duct cleaning. To schedule an appointment, call us at (541) 855-5521 or fill out this form.

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We had our AC go out on one of the hottest days of the year. We called as soon as they opened and they came out so quickly and offered us some loaner units to keep our babies and animals cool in the meantime. Matt was so helpful and fixed the problem quickly. He went above and beyond to help us and we will be using Stone Heating and Air to replace our unit when it’s time. They’ll be our first call in the future!

Elizabeth T.

Matt's response was extremely quick, he was very professional and friendly. He explained everything in detail and was very knowledgeable. He had my unit up and running within no time! I highly recommend calling stone heating and air. I will be signing up for the yearly service plan with them!!

Tim S.

I had a wonderful experience to hangout with this superior crewmen who came to install a new HVAC system at my house. To see these professional guys were at work with their best, I would recommend to anyone to do business with this wonderful company! Best regards

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I’ve used Stone Heat and Air for several projects and every time they have preformed beyond my expectations. I would highly recommend them for any of your HVAC needs.

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Excellent Service I could not have been more happy with the service, quality and honesty that I received from Stone Heating and Air. I will refer this HVAC company to all of my friends.

Gene S

Great Service, knowledgeable service technician This was for our guest house heater. I was very happy with the service provided. They were on time, polite and clean. They inspected the Monitor heater and then proceeded to clean it and they were able to fix that. Will definitely use for jobs in the future

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Great Company Dave was fantastic. He is very knowledgeable about the system and his cleaning job was incredible. He was able to explain everything that he was doing and make it make sense for general homeowner. Good Job guys!

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Excellent service! Excellent service! Knowledgeable staff! I was very impressed with the responsiveness and knowledge of your team. Shortly after 1 called for an appointment, Dave and Gino did a thorough inspection of my system and explained all of the areas that needed repair or replacement. They gave me short and long-term options and the benefits of both. HVAC is not something I know a lot about so I had appreciated their patience. Overall, it was a great experience! 5 STARS!! Highly recommend Stone Heating and Air!

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