How does high humidity impact HVAC system efficiency?

High humidity significantly affects HVAC system efficiency by making systems work harder to cool indoor spaces. When the humidity levels are high, the air holds more moisture, which means that the HVAC system must remove this excess moisture to maintain a comfortable and healthy indoor environment. This process, known as dehumidification, requires additional energy, leading to increased workload on the system.

As the HVAC system operates to both cool the air and remove humidity, it must run longer and at higher capacities than it would in drier conditions. This increased workload can lead to higher energy consumption and can also put more strain on the components of the system, potentially shortening its operational lifespan over time. Thus, effective humidity control is crucial to optimizing HVAC performance and efficiency.