What’s better than cooling off under an air conditioner vent in the heat of summer? If you’re prone to dry skin in the summer, you might think revving up your humidifier while you enjoy the air conditioner is the best thing. But have you ever wondered, “Can I use AC and a humidifier together?”
You can, but it’s inefficient, and you may end up causing both systems to work harder. Triple A AC, Heating, & Plumbing & Heating is here to explain how humidifiers and air conditioners work against each other. Give us a call when you need an AC repair company in Flower Mound, TX.
Understand How These Systems Work
Air conditioners and humidifiers both feel great, and if you have a cool mist humidifier, then they both feel cool. “But, can I use AC and a humidifier together?” Even if they both blow cool air, they actually work against each other and could cost you more money on your electric bill if you run them simultaneously.
How Air Conditioners Work
Since most people use air conditioning in Flower Mound, it’s good to understand how they work. The system looks complicated, but it’s a simple process:
- The outdoor unit sucks in warm air
- Warm air cools over the evaporator coils
- Evaporator coils draw out moisture, making the air drier
- Cool, dry air blows into your home
Air conditioners aren’t dehumidifiers, though they do dry out the air during the cooling process.
How Humidifiers Work
Humidifiers add moisture to the air. Moisture gives us skin and hair benefits and relieves us from nosebleeds and coughing. There are several kinds of humidifiers to choose from:
- Portable: These small units are suitable for one person and won’t significantly change the humidity in your home.
- Whole-home: This unit ties into your HVAC system and turns on when it detects low humidity. We mentioned paying more if you use an air conditioner and humidifier together, but this system is smart enough to alternate between cooling and humidifying for efficiency.
- Cool mist: This type of humidifier blows cool air and may fool you into thinking it works like an air conditioner.
- Steam: Steam humidifiers blow out steam to add moisture to the air. They’re the most effective, but whole-home units will cost more.
- Impeller: You probably have this kind of portable humidifier. It uses a rotating disc to make water droplets and releases them as a mist.
Ideal Humidity Levels in Flower Mound, TX
Humidity levels should be between 30% and 60% in your home. Going below 20% will cause your skin to dry out, and you may start coughing a lot. Going above 80% can lead to mold, eventually causing you health problems and house damage.
AC and Humidifier Compatibility
“So, can I use AC and a humidifier together?” you ask. You may want to use them together if you’re battling an illness. It’s okay to do so, but you should understand how they interact first.
How the Two Are Inefficient Together
The air conditioner dries the air while the humidifier moistens it, causing both systems to strain if they stay on.
Drying out the air is part of the air conditioning process. If you’re humidifying your home while the air is on, the air conditioner will take in air from your home via the return vent and dehumidify it as it does with outside air. Because it’s so moist, the system will use extra electricity to try to absorb more moisture.
Meanwhile, humidifiers that can be programmed to turn on when the air hits a certain level will stay on because they detect dry air. Both systems will stay on and use up your electricity.
When To Use Both at Once
Use both at once if you have a portable system that won’t affect the overall humidity level in your home. If you have a larger system, use a hygrometer to measure the humidity of your home. Turn off the humidifier if your home becomes too humid.
When You Shouldn't Use Both
Stop using both systems if your home exceeds 60% humidity. 80% humidity is when mold becomes a possibility, so stop before it can get to that point.
You should also stop if your air conditioner strains to cool your home. Watch your electricity bill to determine how efficient your systems are.
Seek HVAC Assistance in Flower Mound, TX
If you’re wondering, “Can I use AC and a humidifier together?” or need help debunking common AC myths, call Triple A AC, Heating, & Plumbing & Heating in Flower Mound, TX, at 469-444-9383.