Thermostat Humidity Control: Is It Possible?

Thermostat Humidity Control: Is It Possible?

December 6, 2019


Your home's thermostat is used to regulate the temperature, but it can also affect indoor humidity levels. In both the summer and winter months, humidity plays a role in your comfort. It can also affect the performance of your HVAC unit.

Air conditioners are used to cool your home and remove humid air. Without this dehumidifying effect, turning on the heat might make your home feel uncomfortable.

Learning how to control your thermostat's humidity settings will help you control indoor humidity and enjoy a more comfortable home all year-round.

Thermostat Humidity Control: Is It Possible?

Relative Humidity Control

The Relative Humidity (RH) measurement on a thermostat is the level of moisture in the air. During the winter, RH levels indoors should be 40 percent or lower. It can rise to over 60 percent in the warmer months.

Your home's humidity is impacted by your HVAC system and thermostat settings. If humidity levels are too low, the air becomes dry. This can cause illness, discomfort, warped wood floors and furniture, and an accumulation of static electricity.

High humidity levels can cause mold and bacteria to grow. This not only damages your HVAC system but also poses significant health risks. Our HVAC professional technicians can help you balance temperature and humidity indoors by considering your personal preferences, the temperature outside, and the type of system you own.

Keep the Right Temperature

During the summer, your thermostat should be between 72 and 78 degrees. If your thermostat has an “auto” setting, it can help cool your system's evaporator coils and dehumidify the air.

In the winter, setting your thermostat to 68 degrees while you're at home is recommended. Lowering it when you're away or asleep can help you save on your energy bills. It can save you up to 10 percent while giving your system time to recalibrate and dehumidify.

Setting your thermostat to a cooler temperature when the air conditioning is running will not make the house cool any faster. It only increases the strain on your HVAC system, which can lead to premature system failure and breakdowns.

Programmable Thermostats

A programmable smart thermostat stops you from having to manually adjust the temperature during the day and night. You can program the thermostat to be warmer during the day and cooler at night. Some can take seasonal weather changes into account. An HVAC professional from Master Mechanical can help you choose the right programmable thermostat to suit your needs.

Contact us today to learn more about humidity management, thermostats, or any heating and cooling needs!


See all articles

Proof We’re the Best HVAC Company Straight From Our Customers

  • Mini-Split Installation That Exceeded Expectations
    Gwen Anderson
    Jake is amazing! We reached out to get a quote for a mini-split system to cool our server room, and Jake exceeded our expectations. He recommended a more cost-effective solution that has provided us with incredible results. His out-of-the-box thinking and thoughtfulness are so impressive. I had six other HVAC companies provide quotes, but Jake was the only one who made sustainable and well-considered suggestions. The office staff is also super friendly and helpful!
  • Came Right on Time for Our
    Dominique Haffery
    We just had Master Mechanical service our AC units before it gets too hot! This way we know they are operating efficiently! I used to be scared to pay money for these things but it truly saves money in the long run! Master Mechanical was able to come out quickly, give me a shorter window then most companies do in this trade, came right on time, communicated the whole way! They are professional and experts at their craft! Highly recommend!!!
  • A Great Company for Complicated HVAC Problems
    Eric Williams
    Jake did an excellent job helping me solve a complex problem that no one else could help with - I needed a new thermostat installed for a unique 120V water chiller AC system, and all other HVAC companies refused to work on it. Jake was on time, friendly, informative, and had it done in less than an hour. Highly recommended!
  • Saved $1000 With a Second Opinion on AC Repair
    Kris
    I’m glad I called Master Mechanical for a second opinion. They saved me $1000 over the quote for the same repair from another HVAC company. They were professional on time and fixed my unit same day. They also weren’t pushing upsales. They did let me know my options, but unlike the other company, Master Mechanical didn’t try using scare tactics to get me to buy additional services. Master Mechanical will be my first choice going forward and I’ve already recommended their services to family members as well.
  • Repaired My Boiler Instead of Pushing an Unnecessary Replacement
    Kathleen Ferraro
    I am so grateful to Master Mechanical for repairing my old boiler. Danny Chee is very knowledgeable and was able to figure out the problems and repair them. Plus he is a very nice, polite person. He made sure everything was working correctly before leaving, even after 5:00. The people on the phone, Paul and a woman whose name I can't recall, are professional and helpful. I received texts and emails confirming appointments and letting me know when Danny was on his way. They could have sold me a new boiler but instead fixed the old one at a fraction of the cost. I highly recommend them and will continue to rely on them in the future.