Reducing the Humidity With An Air Conditioning Unit

De-Humidifying - Removing Moisture from the Air

In addition to removing the heat from the air in the home, the basic central air condition system also lowers the moisture level in the air in the home.  When warm, moist air comes in contact with a cooler surface, drops of water start to form on the cooler surface.  A simple example of this is illustrated by a glass filled with an ice cold drink on a hot summer day.  Water drops develop on the exterior of the cold cup.  This is moisture in the air that is condensing on the cooler surface.  The same occurs when the warm air from the house is passed over the evaporator coil.  Moisture in the air turns to water on the evaporator coil.  As the moisture accumulates on the coil, it will drop into a pan called the condensate tray, which is located under the evaporator coil.  The water will collect here and eventually flow down a pipe into a drain.  The old adage, "It's not the heat, its the humidity" rings true here.  Dryer air allows the sweat produced by a human body to be evaporated from the skin, cooling the body and making the body more comfortable.

Condensate Tray