It seems like we spend all winter trying to get our home humidity levels up and then all summer trying to get them down.
What exactly is humidity and the dew point and why does it matter?
Relative humidity is the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of the amount of moisture in the air to the maximum amount that can be present at that temperature. The dew point is the temperature at which a given sample of air will have a relative humidity of 100%, or the saturation temperature. All three of these measurements – temperature, humidity, and dew point – are bound together and determine what is comfortable and what is not.
Warm air can hold more water vapor than cool air. Relative humidity and dew point determine the saturation. When the relative humidity is less than 40% it feels dry, when it is above 80% it feels moist. The higher the dew point in relation to the humidity, the more uncomfortable the air feels.
Thus, when the dew point is over 65° and the humidity is over 80% (as it has been lately) it becomes uncomfortable.
The optimum combination for human comfort is a dew point around 60° or lower, a relative humidity level between 50% and 70%, putting the temperature around 75° F.
The Comforts of an Air Conditioner
Air conditioners cool homes by removing heat and moisture from the air. High humidity in your home can cause moist and clammy air, foggy windows, or a musty odor (coming from dampness around the home.)
The air conditioning system should effectively remove moisture from the air.
Bigger Not Always Better
Many people think that a larger and more powerful AC unit will cool the home more effectively. However, this is not necessarily true. If the AC is larger than needed it will not be able to remove the moisture efficiently and the humidity levels will remain high. This is because the unit will not need to run as often, as it is more powerful, thus the unit will not remove the humidity as it rises in the home. This makes it crucial to have an AC unit that suits your home.
When the AC Just Isn’t Cool Anymore
If your air conditioner is older, not sized correctly for your home, or just isn’t working properly it’s time to consider a new system.
While a new system may cost more than you want to spend, it will save you money in the long run. Having a system that works properly, efficiently, and capably will save you on your monthly bills and unexpected repairs, as well as keep your home comfortable.
We Can Help
If you aren’t sure how well your air conditioning system is working, let our professionals help. We provide free, in-home estimates to make sure your system is working the way it should to keep you and your family cool during these hot summer months. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
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Brian Sloan is the President of TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, one of the western Chicago suburbs' leading family owned home service companies, serving homeowners across more than 80 communities throughout Will, Kendall, DuPage, Kane, and Cook counties.
TR Miller is more than a business to Brian, it's a family legacy. The company was founded by his father, Tim Miller, and Brian and his brother Jim have played an important role in growing the business from a small local operation into a full service residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical company serving homeowners throughout the greater Chicagoland area.
Brian's perspective on the home services industry comes from firsthand experience. Before taking on leadership responsibilities, he worked in the field as an HVAC Service Technician and Fabrication Technician, diagnosing heating and cooling systems, assembling custom HVAC components, and supporting residential installations throughout the western suburbs.
That hands on foundation continues to influence the way Brian leads TR Miller today. He understands both the work taking place inside a customer's home and the systems, training, and support required behind the scenes to consistently deliver a great customer experience.
Over the course of his career at TR Miller, Brian has worked across nearly every major area of the business, including operations, marketing, sales, job coordination, customer service, finance, and leadership. Today, as President, he is responsible for the overall strategy, growth, culture, and performance of the organization.
That breadth of experience across both the technical and business sides of home services has helped shape how TR Miller operates: combining the systems and accountability of a professionally run organization with the care, responsiveness, and personal connection of a family business.
Brian's philosophy is straightforward, make home services convenient and reliable while giving homeowners the information they need to make the best decisions for their homes and families. That means educating customers, providing clear options and upfront pricing, and making sure homeowners understand both what was found and why a repair or replacement may be recommended.
Under Brian's leadership, TR Miller has expanded beyond HVAC into plumbing and electrical services, grown across multiple locations, invested heavily in technical and leadership development, and been recognized seven times on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest growing privately held companies.
Credentials & Affiliations:
- President, TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical
- Membership Officer, YPO Chicagoland
- Board Member, Nexstar Network
- Former Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce
- Associate's Degree, Waubonsee Community College
- Former HVAC Service Technician & Fabrication Technician, TR Miller
