Colder Air
Yesterday the thermostat was reading 78 deg., and I was comfortable.
Today, my thermostat still reads 78 deg., but now I am hot!
Why is it that on one day we are comfortable at a given temperature, yet on another day we are hot at that same temperature?
Our perception of “cold air” in our homes is actually dependent upon the relationship between the temperature and humidity levels of the indoor air environment.
The drier the air, the colder it feels.
Yet our air conditioning systems are only controlled by temperature. Truthfully, most thermostats have no idea what the humidity level is. Controlling the humidity in the air is simply a by-product of the thermostat operation. The thermostat will shut down your air conditioner at the 78 deg. set point, and the humidity levels could still be unacceptable!
South Florida is one of the most humid areas of the country. Humidity levels can vary from 45% on one day, and rise to 90% the next. In order to maintain a more consistent level of comfort in our homes we require more specialized equipment to deal with the moisture in the air.
In our area, the air conditioning system’s ability to monitor and maintain constant humidity levels is just as important as its ability to maintain temperature set points. Some may say it’s even more important!
Products designed to offer drier, colder air include:
- Variable speed air handlers
- Multi-stage cooling equipment
- Dehumidifiers
- Temperature/humidity thermostat combinations.
- At a temperature of 80 deg., and humidity reading of 55%, we feel like its 81 deg.
- At a temperature of 80 deg., and humidity reading of 40%, we feel like its 79 deg.
- That’s a 2 deg. Difference!
The relationship between temperature and humidity has a profound effect on how comfortable we are in our home. Yet most a/c systems today our controlled by temperature alone!
