Nashville summers are hot and humid, making a reliable AC a must-have for staying comfortable. When the temperatures rise, there’s nothing better than cooling off indoors.
However, all this humidity can damage your AC. Want to know a secret from AC repair Nashville, TN pros? Your AC maintenance checklist needs to reflect our Tennessee climate and account for the effects of high humidity on your AC systems and moving parts.
Read on to learn more about how humidity affects your AC system and what it means for maintenance.
High Humidity Means Removing More Moisture from the Air
With scorching hot temperatures as high as 90°F, we don’t blame you if your AC is on most days!
It’s important to understand how your AC cools your indoor air – and what these high temperatures mean.
Your AC uses a closed system to circulate refrigerant. As the refrigerant travels through evaporator coils, the system blows hot air from inside your home over the coils. This allows the refrigerant to absorb the heat from your indoor air, and the system can then blow cool air back into your home.
That’s not the only thing happening inside your AC. When hot air comes in contact with cool coils, water vapor condensates and becomes liquid. What does this mean? Your AC removes humidity from your indoor air by turning water vapor into liquid droplets that drip down into a pan located under the coils – and eventually exit your AC system through a drain line.
Removing water vapor from the air is important. High humidity means sweat stays on your skin, making you hot and uncomfortable. An AC that works well will cool your indoor air and lower its humidity level.
Common Nashville AC Issues from High Humidity
The more humid the weather gets, the more uneasy and sticky you’ll feel – and the more you’ll keep your AC running.
Running your AC more often and for longer periods of time means your HVAC system will go through more wear and tear than usual. Moving parts, such as the fans blowing air through your AC ducts or the compressor pumping refrigerant through the entire system, can fail.
High humidity levels can also lead to varied HVAC issues:
- Coils can get dirty faster as more condensation forms on them.
- With more water going through the drain line, more debris can also end up in the line and end up clogging it.
- If humidity gets too high and the condensation can’t exist in your AC system fast enough, the drain pan can overflow.
- Coils can freeze if condensation doesn’t drip from them quickly enough. This creates a thin layer of ice that prevents the refrigerant from absorbing heat effectively. If this happens, your AC will stop cooling, and you’ll likely see your energy bills go up.
- If your AC can’t get condensation out fast enough, humidity can build up inside the entire system and lead to corrosion.
- Water and electricity don’t mix! Humidity spreading through your AC can also lead to a number of electrical issues.
HVAC Maintenance Tips for Humid Nashville Summers
What’s the best way to prevent a costly AC repair in Nashville, TN? We recommend keeping up with a few simple AC maintenance tasks.
Keep AC Coils Clean
Cleaning outdoor coils is easy, but the ones at risk of freezing in the summer are located indoors. The best way to clean them is to have an HVAC technician do a checkup twice a year.
Flush Your Drain Line
An HVAC pro can check your drain line for clogs and flush it if needed. It’s also a simple DIY fix:
- Turn your AC off.
- Look for the drain line near your outdoor unit.
- Open the cap covering the access point.
- Pour a quarter of a cup of distilled white vinegar.
- Let the vinegar sit for a while before turning your AC back on.
- If this doesn’t remove a stubborn clog, it’s time to call an HVAC pro.
Reduce Wear and Tear
Because humid Nashville summers make your AC work harder, you should reduce wear and tear by keeping up with AC tune-ups, changing the filter often, and adjusting your thermostat.
Address Humidity Issues
Ideally, your indoor humidity levels should fall somewhere between 30 and 50%. If humidity exceeds this sweet spot, you can look into getting a dehumidifier to help your HVAC remove moisture from your indoor air (and cut your energy bills).
Installing exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen can also help. And if the humidity seems unusually high, it might be time to call a plumber and have them check your home for leaks.
Quality HVAC Maintenance and AC Repair in Nashville, TN with Airstream
Is your AC struggling to lower humidity levels and keep your home cool? Do you need an AC tune-up ahead of a hot and humid summer?
Our HVAC experts are here to help! Airstream has been proudly serving the Nashville area since 2012. We deliver high-quality work at an affordable price, and you can count on us for all your AC repair needs in Nashville, TN, as well as preventive maintenance and regular HVAC checkups.
Don’t let high humidity catch you off-guard this summer! Schedule your HVAC service today or call us at (866) 238-5432.
FAQ
What is the average AC repair cost?
It depends on what’s wrong with your AC. Fixing small issues can cost as little as $200, but replacing a major component can cost thousands.
Can high humidity damage my AC?
High humidity means your AC is working harder, which can lead to more wear and tear. AC problems can also cause humidity to build up inside your system and damage different parts.
How do I fix high humidity in my air conditioner?
Having an HVAC tech clean your indoor coils and check the drain line is a good start. If there is high humidity inside your AC, scheduling a service call should be a priority.
Why is my AC not bringing down humidity?
Air is either not moving through the system as it should, or your evaporator coils aren’t working right. Either way, you’ll need an HVAC pro to look at the problem.
Should I turn on my AC if the humidity is high?
Yes! Your AC will lower humidity by extracting water vapor from your indoor air, creating a more comfortable environment.
