If your home feels too warm or chilly at times, but the thermostat reading says you should feel comfortable, there’s a disconnect between your actual comfort level — the “feels like” temperature — and what’s displayed on the thermostat screen. This discrepancy is often caused by the level of moisture, or humidity, in the air. Learning more about why it’s occurring can help you bring the two back into balance.
Effective Home Cooling and Humidity
High outdoor humidity directly affects how well your heat pump or air conditioner works. When there’s excess moisture in the air, the equipment may not be able to cool and dehumidify effectively. This can leave your home feeling sticky and decrease your comfort even when the thermostat’s temperature setting is being met.
Cooling Equipment Capacity and “Feels Like” Temperature
Cooling equipment that isn’t sized accurately can make temperature inconsistencies even worse. Oversized equipment satisfies the temperature setting on the thermostat too quickly, then shuts off again without removing sufficient humidity. This is called “short cycling,” and it can make your home feel too cold and clammy when the system is running, and then too hot and sticky when it shuts off.
How to Harmonize the “Feels Like” and Actual Temperatures
If you want to increase comfort and balance the “feels like” temperature and actual thermostat reading, an adequate amount of moisture needs to be pulled from the air. An experienced HVAC professional is your best source of advice on how to accomplish this, but here are some suggestions:
- Keep up with routine equipment maintenance. Yearly maintenance keeps the equipment working at maximum efficiency and capacity, so it’s more effective at handling humidity.
- Have a professional cooling system assessment. Have the equipment capacity checked, and get the ductwork inspected for any deficiencies, as both impact humidity control.
- Investigate adding a dehumidifier. Adding a dehumidifier to the HVAC system can boost your comfort and lighten the equipment’s workload so you save energy and prolong its service life.
For expert advice about achieving a more comfortable “feels like” temperature in your Indianapolis home, contact us at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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