3 Potential Reasons Your Car's AC Produces Humid Air

Nobody likes hot, sticky summer days. While a warm day in the sun can be inviting, high humidity can quickly ruin those summer vibes. Fortunately, air conditioner systems work to both cool and dehumidify. This behavior means the air conditioner in your car can help keep you comfortable on even the balmiest days.

But, what should you do when your AC isn't keeping you nice and dry? Or, even worse, when the air from your vents seems to be more humid than the air in your cabin? Excess cabin humidity clearly indicates trouble with your air conditioning system, but there's not always a clear cause. This article will discuss three possible reasons why your AC is leaving you sweaty and uncomfortable.

1. Refrigerant Charge Issues

Your air conditioning system can't operate correctly unless the refrigerant charge levels fall within a specific and fairly tight band. Both over and undercharging will cause problems with the system, which may cause the compressor to short cycle. AC systems only remove humidity while running, so a short cycling system won't operate long enough to dehumidify, even if it produces cold air.

An AC repair shop will need to check your car for correct refrigerant levels and adjust if they're out of spec. While recharging a system with low refrigerant may work temporarily, it's important to eventually locate and repair the underlying cause of the refrigerant loss.

2. Frozen Evaporator Coils

Your car's evaporator coil is a critical part of the dehumidification process. Water condenses onto the coil as it cools the surrounding air, reducing cabin humidity. This water normally drains away harmlessly through a condensate tube. However, this water can freeze if the coil becomes too cold. As the blower pushes air across the ice, it returns humidity to the air, making the cabin feel damp and sticky.

Frozen evaporator coils can also have a few different causes, including poor airflow due to a faulty blower motor and low refrigerant charge. A frozen evaporator can potentially damage your compressor, so it's important to have a qualified shop look into the problem as soon as possible.

3. Condenser Coil Issues

The condenser coil is at the opposite end of the system from the evaporator. Most manufacturers install this coil in front of the radiator, where the air moving through it can help it to release heat from the system's refrigerant. Problems with the condenser, including damaged or dirty fins, can reduce system efficiency and prevent the evaporator from getting cold enough to dehumidify effectively.

As with refrigerant and evaporator issues, it's best to leave condenser diagnosis to a professional. In addition to damaged or dirty coils, there may also be an airflow issue caused by a faulty radiator fan. A professional will check all these potential causes to help ensure a permanent fix that restores your system's cooling and dehumidifying power. 

For more information, contact a company such as A-1 Auto AC Specialist & General Auto Repair Inc.