"It's not the heat; it's the humidity," is a common refrain when summer gets people feeling overheated, sweaty, and uncomfortable. Although so-called "dry heat" can still feel excessively warm, when the air contains high levels of moisture, the atmosphere can be stifling. Thankfully, air conditioners are designed to help with this problem by removing a portion of the moisture from the air, boosting indoor comfort when you need it most. Here's a closer look at how this happens.

How Air Conditioners Work 

At the most basic level, air conditioners blow cold air into a space to lower the temperature. However, the process of creating that cold air is a bit more complex, as the appliances do this by removing warm air and humidity. 

When you switch a central-air system to cooling, the AC pulls in warm air either through the ductwork in your home or a window unit's vents. The warm air passes over an evaporator coil, which removes the heat with the help of refrigerant. The cooled air is blown back into your home with a fan. The absorbed heat in the evaporator turns the refrigerant from a liquid into a gas, which is then pressurized by the compressor and sent outside.

Once outside, the heat from the refrigerant is absorbed by the outside air, causing the refrigerant to condense back into a liquid. The liquid returns to the evaporator, and the process repeats until enough cold air is produced to reach the temperature you set on the thermostat.

Managing Moisture 

When warm, moist air passes over the evaporator in your air conditioner, moisture gets pulled out and condenses. The moisture collects in a condensate pan underneath the evaporator and drains outside your home. 

By pulling moisture out of the air and condensing and draining it, your AC can make your home feel much cooler. Humans sweat to cool down; when the air dries sweat, it helps lower body temperature. In periods of high humidity, sweat doesn't dry, and you continually feel warm and sticky. 

The amount of moisture in the air influences how a particular temperature feels, too. When the temperature is 90 degrees and the relative humidity is 70%, it will actually feel like 105 degrees outside. High heat and humidity increase the risk of heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses, so experts recommend using an air conditioner to cool down and reduce humidity indoors. 

Reduce humidity and stay comfortable indoors this summer with AC service from Comfort Tech Heating and Air Conditioning in Thomasville, NC. Serving homeowners in the Piedmont Triad area, this full-service heating and air conditioning company offers high-quality installation, repair, and maintenance services, giving you energy-efficient comfort year-round.  Request an estimate on guaranteed service by calling (336) 472-5858. Mention their website when you call to save $20 on your service, and ask about their referral program: If someone you refer installs a new air conditioner, heat pump, or furnace, you'll receive a $50 Visa check card.