Trane Air Conditioner Not Removing Humidity: Why And How To Fix It?

Are you feeling uncomfortable due to high humidity in your room, even with your Trane AC running?

Wondering what you can do to alleviate this discomfort? This article will help you address this issue.

If your Trane AC isn’t effectively reducing the high humidity in your home, you should take the following steps:

1. Clean the air filters.
2. Ensure the refrigerant is charged to the correct level.
3. Adjust the fan speed.
4. Install or adjust the thermal expansion valve (TXV).

Read on to discover more about how you can help your AC remove heat and moisture from your home. We’ll also discuss other factors that can hinder your AC’s ability to dehumidify your house.

Why Does My AC Increase Humidity In My House?

Some people may believe that only low moisture levels cause irritation and trigger allergies. However, both low and high humidity can lead to discomfort, adverse health effects, and other consequences within the living environment.

High humidity inside your house can damage wood furniture, walls, floors, and insulation by promoting the growth of fungi, mold, and mildew. This can result in wood rotting, staining, and warping. Moreover, these unwelcome organisms can trigger asthma attacks, allergies, and respiratory problems.

Controlling the humidity level in your house is crucial. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can help you regulate moisture in each room, while air conditioners also play a role in reducing humidity.

Your AC absorbs heat and moisture from the indoor air, effectively lowering humidity levels and creating a more comfortable and healthier home environment.

However, if your Trane air conditioner is unable to accomplish this, it indicates that something is wrong. Here are the areas to investigate to address the high humidity in your house:

Air Filters
Accumulated dirt on your air filters can hinder AC performance by sticking to the evaporator coils. When the coils become dirty, they struggle to remove heat and humidity from the room. Regularly clean your air filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent this issue.

Refrigerant Charge
Adequate refrigerant charge is necessary for your AC to function properly. If the refrigerant gas leaks out, you may notice oily residue, ice formation on the coils, or inefficient AC operation resulting in higher electricity bills. If the refrigerant is depleted, consult an HVAC professional to restore it to the correct level.

Fan Speed
Your AC’s fan is responsible for expelling hot air from the room, allowing you to enjoy cooler air. You can adjust the fan speed to control how quickly it cools the indoor air. Most ACs offer low, medium, high, and auto fan speed settings. If using the auto setting, the AC will automatically adjust the fan speed based on your desired temperature. However, if manually controlling the speed, ensure it is sufficient to cool the air and remove humidity effectively.

Thermal Expansion Valve (TXV)
The TXV is connected to the evaporator and regulates the release of refrigerant in response to the cooling load. It optimizes the performance of the evaporator coil, facilitating the removal of more heat and moisture from the air. A professional can install a thermal expansion valve if necessary or adjust an existing one that is not functioning correctly. This ensures efficient operation by maximizing the capacity of the evaporator coil.

These are the primary components to check on your Trane air conditioner if it fails to reduce high humidity levels in the room.

Why Isn’t My Air Conditioner Removing Humidity?

At times, your AC may not be the cause of the muggy feeling inside your house, even when it is functioning correctly. Several factors can contribute to this situation:

Overcrowding
When more people are present in the house, their body heat and perspiration increase the indoor humidity level. This can overwhelm your AC if it is not adjusted to accommodate the additional load. If this occurs sporadically, you can adjust your AC settings to suit the number of people in the room. However, if it happens frequently, it might indicate that your AC is undersized for your family’s needs. In such cases, consult an HVAC professional for guidance.

Humidity Outside
Sometimes, the humidity level outside your home becomes too high for your air conditioner to handle. For example, during a thunderstorm in the summer, the increased humidity in the air can make your home feel muggy and sticky. By making appropriate adjustments to your AC settings, you can achieve a comfortable temperature indoors.

Indoor Cooking
Cooking without proper ventilation in the kitchen can increase moisture in the air. Evaporating water and hot air from cooking appliances contribute to a stuffy indoor environment. Ensure that you open windows or use exhaust fans while cooking to promote proper air circulation.

Appliances
Certain household appliances can elevate humidity levels. Appliances that involve combustion, like stoves, and those that generate moisture, such as dryers, contribute to high humidity. The use of humidifiers and steam radiators also adds moisture to the room. Even showering without adequate bathroom ventilation can increase humidity levels. These are some common reasons why your house may feel humid despite having a functional air conditioner. Ensure that you have the right HVAC system for your family’s needs and maintain proper ventilation to avoid humidity-related issues and their consequences.

Does High Humidity Impact The Air Conditioner’s Performance?

We have discussed how increased indoor humidity can cause discomfort and affect your home environment. But how does it impact your air conditioner’s performance?

When humidity levels rise, your AC has to work harder to cool your home. Regular AC settings may not be sufficient to maintain comfort because your home feels much warmer than usual.

This puts a strain on your air conditioner, requiring it to operate for extended periods to achieve your desired temperature. This increased workload accelerates wear and tear on the AC system.

To assist your AC in coping with the elevated moisture in the air, experts recommend using dehumidifiers. Signs that you may require a dehumidifier include musty odors, foggy windows, and moist skin. Dehumidifiers effectively extract excess moisture, reducing the workload on your AC. This not only enhances comfort but also helps prevent costly AC repairs.

Conclusion

If your air conditioner fails to remove heat and moisture effectively from your indoor space, have your air filters, refrigerant charge, fan speed, and thermal expansion valve inspected. Make the necessary adjustments to experience relief and comfort when your air conditioner is operating optimally.