Variable-Speed AC vs. Dehumidifiers

Due to Florida's high humidity, moist weather is the norm. Pair that with the state's year-round heat, and you get a recipe for mold growth, warped wood, and damaged furnishings. A humid day is uncomfortable for your family and harmful to your home.

Dealing with Florida's humidity is never easy, but we'll break down what you need to know, including:

• Understanding Florida's humidity challenges
• How a variable-speed AC manages humidity
• Benefits of whole-house dehumidifiers
• Comparing variable-speed AC and dehumidifiers
• Choosing the right solution for your home

You'll feel more comfortable once all that moisture is removed from your home's air.

Melting away in Florida's heat? Whether it's a replacement or a brand-new AC installation, you can trust Advanced Air to keep your home cool and manage humidity. We've been keeping Floridians comfortable since 1989 and know what works best for the humid climate.

Florida consistently ranks among the most humid states, and this humidity impacts comfort. A hot day feels even hotter when the air is moist, making it necessary to run your AC at temperatures that cause your energy bills to soar. Otherwise, mold grows easily.

Controlling the humidity in your home helps:

• Improve comfort
• Avoid structural damage
• Limit mold growth
• Reduce energy consumption
• Enhance indoor air quality
• Protect electronics and furniture

Air conditioners naturally lower the humidity level in your home while running because they cool the air below its dew point. This leads to moisture collecting on the evaporator coil, where it can be drained away. However, this dehumidification comes to a complete halt when your air conditioner's cycle ends.

Variable-speed air conditioners don't always run at full cycle. While great for efficiency, this also has another benefit: your AC continues to remove humidity for longer, which helps keep your home dry. The slower operation speed even minimizes noise.

Whole-home dehumidifiers are separate systems that work in tandem with your HVAC system. So, what does a dehumidifier do? It focuses solely on moisture removal without cooling, making it a targeted but not standalone solution for Florida's humid climate.

Benefits of dehumidifiers include:

• Removal of moisture regardless of temperature
• Prevention of mold and mildew growth
• Prevention of musty odors

However, they require additional installation and maintenance, so they're not a completely hassle-free way to manage humidity.

The benefits of a dehumidifier start and end with removing moisture, which itself results in improved air quality and comfort. A variable-speed AC, on the other hand, also provides cooling, which is something few Floridians can go without.

Variable-speed AC:

• Adapts to your home's temperature and humidity conditions
• Works more efficiently as the dehumidification is a bonus from the cooling process
• Provides a one-system solution for cooling and dehumidification

Maintenance is simplified with a variable-speed AC because it falls under your overall HVAC maintenance commitments. However, AC installation costs more than dehumidifier installation.

Dehumidifiers:

• Run independently without adjusting to ambient conditions
• Increase energy costs when run separately alongside an AC
• Can't cool your home during hot days, which is most days in Florida

Whole-home dehumidifiers require separate maintenance and can be expensive to purchase and install, even though they are cheaper than the average air conditioner.

Is variable-speed AC worth it? Or, is a whole-home dehumidifier the better choice?

No two homes are the same, but the weather in Florida is hot and humid almost year-round. Most homeowners run their AC constantly, which is precisely where variable-speed AC excels at dehumidification. If you're going to run your AC anyway, it makes sense to choose a system that optimizes both the temperature and humidity in your home.

However, the choice may not be so simple if your AC isn't nearing the end of its lifespan or you don't have the budget for an immediate replacement. If in doubt, speak to an HVAC professional to weigh your options.

Looking for solutions for your home's humidity? Our honest, professional technicians bring experience and attention to every AC installation. Call us today, and take advantage of our 100% satisfaction guarantee.