While it may not be quite as muggy here in Brisbane as somewhere like Cairns or Townsville, Brisbane can still get awfully humid from time to time.
As such, it’s important that your air conditioning in Brisbane accounts for humidity.
Hold on, we hear you say. “What exactly does humidity have to do with air conditioning?”
You might be surprised to hear that the answer is, in fact, quite a lot!
During air conditioning installation and system design, Tri-Tech’s mobile tech team looks at a lot of different factors to ensure that your air conditioning system is perfectly suited for your home or business.
And one of those criteria is humidity.
Need air conditioning in Brisbane?
Tri-Tech are Brisbane’s leading air conditioning team, offering system design, installation, and replacement of all types of air conditioning systems in Brisbane.Whether you’re a builder looking for a cooling solution for a new block of units, or a school that needs to improve comfort for its students, Tri-Tech is the team to call!
For air conditioning in Brisbane, Tri the best: call Tri-Tech today on (07) 3394 0222 or fill in this form for a free quote.
Why humidity matters in air conditioning installation
Have you ever wondered why a humid 25°C feels hotter than a dry 25°C?
Humidity, that’s why!
We’ve mentioned before that modern air conditioning systems work using evaporation – when liquid converts into vapour, it takes heat with it.
This is also how sweating keeps our bodies cool.
The problem is that when the relative humidity is high, sweat evaporates at a much slower rate, as the air is already saturated with water vapour. So even though the nominal temperature might be the same, one feels considerably hotter than the other!
By keeping humidity to a comfortable level, air conditioning installation can help you stay comfortable even when the humidity climbs.
How air conditioning impacts humidity
The goal of air conditioning is to ensure that your home feels comfortable. Temperature is just one part of the comfort equation – humidity is another.
As such, many air conditioning systems also function as dehumidifiers.
By combining dehumidification with cooling, air conditioners are able to create a more comfortable home or business.
In fact, that’s the reason the world’s very first air conditioner was created – cooling just happened to be a fringe benefit!
Air conditioners contain all the same components you’ll find in a dehumidifier – both use a compressor, condenser, fans and most importantly, an evaporator.
In fact, some systems come with the option to run them solely in dehumidifier mode.
Why is the humidity so high in my house with the AC running?
We’ve talked at length about the importance of good system design in air conditioning installation, and why it’s important that you choose the right type of air conditioner for your needs. There are three main reasons why you may still be feeling hot and uncomfortable in your home, even when the AC is running.
Size
Part of this is choosing a system that’s appropriately-sized.
Not only can a system that’s too big and powerful waste power, but it can also make your humidity problem even worse.
To help dehumidify your home, your aircon needs to run for a normal length-cycle. As we’ve talked about before however, a system that’s too powerful runs for short cycles.
As a result, you don’t get to enjoy that dehumidifying power.
Dirty air con
Another reason why you may still be feeling hot and bothered, even while your AC is running, is that the condenser coils are dirty and as such are not effectively absorbing heat and moisture.
Old system
Additionally, it could also be the case of an aircon system that has simply run its course and can no longer keep you and your family cool the way it once did.
Older units lag behind when it comes to features and technology, so if your system is more than 10-15 years old, it might be worth organising an inspection. We can help you determine whether you need air conditioning repairs in Brisbane or you’re better off replacing your unit with a brand-new, efficient and effective system.
What impact does high humidity have on an AC system?
It isn’t just your air conditioning system that has an impact on humidity – the opposite is also true. The level of relative humidity can impact which type of system you choose for your air conditioning in Brisbane.
Here are a couple of examples…
Humidity influences your air conditioning system
Last week, we talked about the difference between evaporative and reverse-cycle air conditioning systems. If you missed that post, catch up here.
Like we mentioned in that previous blog, one of the downsides of evaporative cooling is that it’s more affected by humidity.
Specifically, while it may fill your home with cool air, that air is considerably more humid than the air pumped out by reverse-cycle cooling.
In certain parts of Brisbane, this added humidity can limit how cool you really feel with an evaporative system, making these types of air conditioners unsuitable.
Humidity can make your air conditioner wear out faster
As we mentioned above, humidity affects how cool you feel. You might be left feeling hotter than the thermostat says.
That means the air conditioner might be left on for longer as you look for relief.
Excess humidity forces your air conditioner to work longer and harder to provide you with comfort.
Not only does this increase electricity usage (and therefore drive up energy bills), it can also result in your air conditioning system wearing out faster than expected by forcing it to work extra hard just to keep up.
This is especially problematic for businesses that generate a lot of humidity during their day-to-day operations.
Restaurant kitchens are a great example of this. While range hoods help, there’s always going to be a degree of extra humidity in a commercial kitchen thanks to the stoves, the cooking and the dishwashers.
What if my air conditioner doesn’t have a dehumidifying function?
Good news: in some cases, it can be added on afterwards!
Some HVAC systems that don’t have dehumidifier functions can be retrofitted with dehumidifiers. In many cases, it will be installed after the air has been run through the condenser and cooling coils, but before it has been pumped back into your home or business.
The dehumidifier will work to pull excess water from the air before it re-enters your property, leaving.you with drier, cooler air.
Of course, whether or not this is feasible depends on how your HVAC or ducted cooling system is set up. You’ll want to contact an air conditioning upgrade and replacement expert from Tri-Tech to see whether it’s possible!
What humidity level should a house be with air conditioning?
When humidity levels reach above 65%, you’ll start to feel sticky, hot, and bothered. So, the ideal level of humidity in the home, to ensure you feel comfortable and cool, is around 30% to 50%. Below this, and the air will be too dry, while above, you’ll start feeling uncomfortable.
Sticking within this range creates a safe, clean, and healthy home living environment!
Efficient AC solutions for Brisbane’s unique climate
Fight back against humidity!
We’ve talked before about the importance of system design in air conditioning installation.
Now that you understand how air conditioning impacts humidity (and vice-versa), you’ll have a better understanding of why you can’t just install any old system willy-nilly.
And to ensure that you get the right system, you need the right advice and experience backing you up.
Tri-Tech has been performing air conditioning installation in Brisbane for three decades for Australia’s most trusted brands such as My Air, Daikin and Mitsubishi Electric helping homes and businesses of all sizes enjoy superior comfort, every day of the year.
System design that perfectly accommodates for your requirements – humidity included – is just one of the things our team offers.
You can also be confident that your air conditioning installation will also be carried out with expert workmanship that’s a cut above the rest!
Tri the best for air conditioning in Brisbane – give Tri-Tech a call today on (07) 3394 0222, or click here to get in touch online.
