Troubleshoot: Why Is My Mini Split Not Dehumidifying My Home In The Summer?
Did you know your mini split dehumidifies your home while cooling it? That’s not a bonus or extra feature. It’s an essential part of the cooling process.
So if it’s not happening, something’s wrong with your system. And, you’re probably dealing with a muggy house, rising temperatures, and a generally uncomfortable home.
In this article, we’ll look at why dehumidification is important. Then, we’ll help you troubleshoot the problem you’re experiencing in your Boise Metro or Valley County home.
Much of this applies to conventional central air as well as mini splits. But, our article deals with ductless systems. After all, that’s our specialty.
If you’re having the same problem with traditional forced-air, we recommend you contact Snowflake Air in Boise for your air conditioner repair needs. When it comes to mini split cleanings or indoor air quality concerns, we’re here to help. Call us at (208) 779-5596.
Air Conditioning And Dehumidification
Your air handler draws in warm air from the room where it’s located. That air passes over a coil, where it meets a coolant. The interaction draws the heat out of the air, so it’s much cooler when your unit sends that air back to the room.
The drop in temperature also causes water vapor to condense back into liquid. It drains from the system, so the air returning to the room is dryer and feels cooler as a result.
Ideal Summer Summer Humidity Settings
In the summer, the ideal relative humidity for your home is between 30 and 50 percent. Dry enough to keep you comfortable and prevent asthma attacks or mold growth. But not so dry that you get cracked skin or nosebleeds.
Since mini splits run almost constantly, they’re excellent for humidity control — unless something’s gone wrong.
Five Reasons A Mini Split Won’t Dehumidify
Five common reasons your mini split won’t dehumidify your house are:
- An Oversized System
- Wrong Settings
- Dirty Air Filter
- Clogged Condensate Line
- Dirty Or Clogged Coil
You can fix some of these on your own, while others require a professional.
An Oversized System
Mini splits are designed to run for long periods, and in part, that’s because you get constant humidity control.
A system that’s too powerful or oversized blasts too much cool air into your home at once. The temperature drops quickly, and it shuts off without removing as much moisture as it should.
What To Do
Unfortunately, there’s usually nothing you can do about this except start from scratch with a new system.
Related: Why Is My Mini Split Blowing Hot Air?
However, if this is a new problem after you’ve had your mini split for a whole, an oversized system isn’t the culprit. If it were, you would have noticed it right away.
Wrong Settings
Today’s robust air handlers have plenty of thermostat options, and it’s easy to get them confused. Any number of settings at the wrong time of year can cause humidity problems.
What To Do
Make sure your system is set to “Cool” and not “Heat” or “Fan Only” in the summer. And check that the separate humidity setting is between 30 and 60 percent. You can also use “Dry Mode” for extra moisture removal.
Dirty Air Filter
A dirty airflow interrupts airflow. That means less warm air getting cooled and dehumidified.
What To Do
Clean your air filter once a month. That way, it never gets so full that it blocks air from traveling through the system the way it should.
Clogged Condensate Line
Water vapor condenses inside your air handler and drains through a plastic condensate line. But, if that line gets clogged, the water backs up into the system.
Related: 5 Reasons You’ll Love A Mini Split Cleaning
What To Do
Turn off your system and find the end of the drain line outside your home. Look for a blockage. And, check for signs of moisture on or behind the wall near your air handler.
Call your HVAC tech if you notice these. Sometimes you can clean a drain line yourself, but it’s more important to prevent the problems from happening again.
Dirty Or Clogged Coil
The biggest problem with mini splits is dirty or clogged coils inside the air handlers. Besides excess humidity, they can also become a breeding ground for mold.
And, they’ll make the system less efficient: You’ll notice higher energy bills as your air handlers work harder to overcome the obstacles.
Related: Five Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Cleaning
It’s common because it’s hard to clean the coil. It’s not easily accessible, and it’s made up of tiny fins or ridges. All sorts of debris build up between them. It takes forever to scrub in between each one manually, and you risk damaging those tiny, delicate parts.
Related: How Often Should A Mini Split Be Cleaned?
What To Do
The best way to deal with a dirty coil — and a dirty air handler in general — is with a specialized mini split deep cleaning. HydroKleen uses customized equipment to flush out everything stuck between the coil fins, behind the barrel fans, and in every corner of your system.
Related: What Does It Cost To Clean A Heat Pump?
Thanks to more than a decade of research and development, our process usually takes about an hour or two, and we don’t have to remove the air handlers from the wall or take them apart. Plus, our cleaning solutions are non-toxic and safe for the environment.
Related: What To Expect At Your HydroKleen Appointment
Mini Split Deep Cleaning In Boise, ID
HydroKleen208 provides the best mini split cleaning in Boise, ID and surrounding areas. If you don’t notice the difference immediately, you don’t pay for your visit. And, we pay for a competitor to come out after us. Click below or call us at (208) 779-5596.