This One Thermostat Setting Can Make You Sweaty in Summer

Everyone in the south knows: It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity that makes us feel so hot.

But you’re safe from the humidity inside your home right?

Think again.

You can make your home overly humid, even when the AC runs, by setting your thermostat’s fan to ON instead of AUTO.

Why the ON fan setting can make you sweaty

Long story short, keeping the fan setting to ON turns your air conditioner into one big humidifier (the last thing you want in summer).

Here’s how.

The fan setting controls your air conditioner’s indoor blower, which circulates air around your home.

When the fan setting is set to AUTO, the blower only works when your home needs cooling.

But when the fan setting is set to ON, the blower runs 24/7. But, why would that make you all sweaty? Well, the blower circulates warm air over a evaporator coil, the part that cools the air.

When warm air hits the cold coil, condensation forms (it’s just like how moisture forms on a glass of cold sweet tea). Normally that condensation drops down a drain and that’s the end of it.

However, if the blower keeps working when the evaporator coil isn’t cooling, moisture on the coil is circulated back into your home. Say hello to a sweaty, humidity-filled home!

Not only that, but the blower is also running up your energy bill.

So, when it doubt, leave your thermostat’s fan setting to AUTO.

What’s the purpose of the ON setting anyway?

While there are plenty of cons to using the ON setting 24/7, you can use it occasionally for these nifty uses:

• Constantly circulate air through an air cleaner (perfect for those with allergies and asthma).
• Distribute cool air more evenly throughout your home (though if your home has uneven cooling or “hot spots” then you may have other problems like leaky air ducts).

Want to stay comfortable this summer?

Even if your thermostat is set to AUTO, your AC needs to work properly to cool and dehumidify your home.

One way to do that is to get a professional air conditioner tune-up.

Just like your car needs maintenance before a long trip, your AC needs maintenance to get you through summer without a hitch. And according to ENERGY STAR, your AC should get professional maintenance at least once a year to prevent breakdowns and keep the system efficient.

Contact Coolray for professional AC maintenance if your system has not had a tune-up yet.