Your AC has two jobs: make the air cooler, and pull water out of it. In South Louisiana, the second job matters just as much as the first. When it falls behind, the house feels sticky even when the thermostat says it's cool.
1. The fan is set to "On"
Check your thermostat. If the fan is set to On instead of Auto, it keeps blowing even when the AC stops cooling. That blows the water sitting on the indoor coil right back into your house. Switching to Auto is free and often helps right away.
2. The system is too big
An oversized AC cools the house in a few minutes and shuts off before it has time to pull the moisture out. Cold and clammy is the classic sign. Read: what size AC do I need?
3. Dirty coil or filter
A dirty indoor coil or clogged filter cuts airflow and makes the system work worse at everything, including drying the air.
4. Leaky ductwork
A torn return duct in the attic can pull hot, humid attic air straight into your system. A torn supply duct dumps your dry, cool air into the attic. Either one makes the house feel damp. We find this all the time.
5. Mild weather
In spring and fall, it's often humid but not hot. The AC barely runs, so it barely dries the air. That's where a whole-home dehumidifier helps: it pulls moisture out even when the AC doesn't need to cool.
What humidity should your house be?
Somewhere between 40 and 55 percent is comfortable for most people. A cheap humidity meter from the hardware store will tell you where you are.
Why it matters
A damp house feels worse at the same temperature, so you set the thermostat lower and pay more. Over time, too much moisture can also lead to moisture damage around vents, in closets, and in the attic.
What we do
We check the system first: settings, airflow, coil, refrigerant, and ducts. Often the fix is there. If the system is healthy and the house is still damp, we'll talk about a dehumidifier. See indoor air quality.