As the warm sun continues to shine over Jacksonville, Florida, locals know that the weather here isn’t just about blazing heat. Florida’s subtropical climate brings its own challenges—humidity being one of the most persistent. Whether it’s summer or fall, balancing indoor air comfort is a constant goal, especially as the temperatures start to dip. While some may think that cooling concerns vanish with the heat, that’s far from the truth. Fall comes with its own set of HVAC maintenance needs, particularly when it comes to managing humidity levels.

In this guide, we’ll explore how seasonal changes affect your home’s humidity and what steps you can take to ensure your air conditioning system keeps things comfortable all year long.

Understanding the Jacksonville Climate and Its Impact on Indoor Comfort

Jacksonville’s climate can be a double-edged sword when it comes to managing indoor comfort. With average humidity levels often ranging between 70% to 90% throughout the year, homes and businesses face challenges that go beyond just temperature regulation. High humidity can make a space feel much warmer than it actually is, even in cooler weather. This means your air conditioning system is working year-round to not just cool the air, but also control humidity.

When the air outside cools down during fall, the temperature inside may become more comfortable, but excessive indoor moisture can still linger. This leads to that sticky, uncomfortable feeling, potential mold growth, and poor air quality. The good news? With the right maintenance, your AC system can continue to regulate both temperature and humidity effectively, even as the weather cools.

Why Humidity Control Matters

Before diving into specific AC maintenance tips for the fall, let’s discuss why humidity control is so important. High humidity levels can lead to a host of problems that go beyond just discomfort:

  • Mold and Mildew Growth: Excessive moisture is a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can impact both your health and the structural integrity of your home.
  • Health Issues: High humidity levels can exacerbate respiratory issues such as allergies and asthma by promoting dust mites and mold spores.
  • Increased Energy Costs: Humid air feels warmer, which could lead to running the AC more often, driving up your energy bills.
  • Damage to Furniture and Electronics: High humidity can warp wood, damage electronics, and lead to peeling wallpaper or paint.

Now that we’ve covered the importance of humidity control, let’s move on to the fall maintenance tips that can help keep your air conditioning system in top shape and your home comfortable.

1. Check Your Thermostat Settings

As the weather cools down, it’s easy to forget about your thermostat. But to effectively manage humidity and temperature, your thermostat settings need to be adjusted for the season. During the fall, aim to keep the indoor temperature comfortable without overworking your system.

For Jacksonville, setting your thermostat between 75°F and 78°F should maintain a good balance. Additionally, consider investing in a smart thermostat, which can help regulate humidity and temperature automatically based on real-time data and your preferences. Many smart thermostats even have a dehumidification feature that can be useful during the humid fall months.

2. Keep an Eye on Your Humidity Levels

Monitoring your home’s humidity is just as important as tracking temperature. A healthy indoor humidity level should range between 30% to 50%. If it rises above this, you’re likely to experience discomfort, condensation on windows, and even mold growth.

Installing a hygrometer in your home is an easy and affordable way to monitor humidity. Some HVAC systems also come with built-in humidity control, which allows you to set your preferred moisture levels. If your system doesn’t have this feature, portable dehumidifiers are a great alternative for controlling excess humidity in individual rooms.

3. Schedule a Professional AC Inspection

Fall is the perfect time to have your AC system inspected by professionals. Even though your system may not be running as frequently as it does in the summer, this doesn’t mean it doesn’t need attention. A thorough inspection will ensure that your system is ready for the cooler months ahead, while also preparing it for next year’s heat.

During a professional AC tune-up, a technician will:

  • Inspect the Air Filter: Dirty air filters can reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system and exacerbate humidity issues. Filters should be changed regularly—typically every 30-60 days during periods of heavy use.
  • Check the Coils: The evaporator and condenser coils play a key role in dehumidifying air. Over time, they can become dirty or clogged, reducing the system’s ability to remove moisture. Professional cleaning will ensure these components work at peak efficiency.
  • Test the Thermostat: A technician will test your thermostat to make sure it’s reading temperatures and humidity levels accurately.
  • Inspect Ductwork for Leaks: Leaky ducts can lead to excess moisture entering your home. Ensuring they’re properly sealed will prevent this.

4. Clean or Replace Air Filters

One of the easiest and most important maintenance tasks homeowners can tackle themselves is changing the air filter. When filters are clogged with dust, dirt, and debris, your AC system has to work harder to move air through your home. This not only reduces efficiency, but it can also trap moisture in the air, increasing humidity levels.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing a dirty filter can reduce your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%. During the fall, when allergens like pollen and mold are still prevalent in Jacksonville, it’s wise to check your air filters more frequently.

5. Clear Debris from Outdoor Units

During fall, outdoor units can become covered with fallen leaves, twigs, and other debris. If left unchecked, this can restrict airflow, forcing your system to work harder to cool and dehumidify your home. Cleaning around the outdoor unit is a quick task that can prevent long-term problems.

Make sure to clear away any plants, shrubs, or debris at least two feet around the unit. Also, consider rinsing off the unit with a garden hose to remove dirt and dust that might have accumulated during the summer.

6. Consider Installing a Dehumidifier

If your AC system is struggling to keep humidity levels in check, adding a whole-house dehumidifier might be the best solution. Dehumidifiers work by pulling moisture from the air before it circulates through your home, keeping humidity levels at a comfortable range. This is particularly useful in humid climates like Jacksonville’s, where even cooler temperatures come with plenty of moisture in the air.

A whole-house dehumidifier works seamlessly with your existing HVAC system, allowing for greater control of indoor moisture levels without the need for multiple portable units.

7. Inspect the Ductwork

Ductwork plays a crucial role in regulating indoor air quality and humidity. If your ducts are leaking, it can allow warm, humid air from outside to enter your home, making it harder to control both temperature and humidity.

During fall maintenance, it’s important to have your ductwork inspected by a professional. Sealing any leaks will not only improve humidity control but also increase the efficiency of your HVAC system, saving you money on energy bills. According to Energy Star, sealing and insulating ductwork can improve your system’s efficiency by as much as 20%.

8. Ensure Proper Ventilation

Ventilation is key to managing indoor air quality and humidity. Even with a well-maintained HVAC system, poor ventilation can trap moisture inside your home, leading to a host of problems. Make sure your home has adequate ventilation in areas that are prone to moisture buildup, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.

In some cases, adding attic ventilation can help regulate both temperature and moisture levels inside your home. If you’re unsure about the quality of your home’s ventilation, a professional HVAC technician can evaluate your current setup and recommend improvements.

9. Address Drafts and Insulation

While humidity control is important year-round, addressing drafts and poor insulation can further optimize your AC system’s performance as temperatures drop. Drafts allow humid air to enter your home, making your system work harder to maintain comfort. Proper insulation can prevent this by keeping conditioned air inside, reducing strain on your HVAC system.

Check for drafts around windows and doors, and seal them with weather stripping or caulking as needed. Additionally, ensuring your home is well-insulated will help regulate indoor temperature and humidity levels, improving your overall comfort and energy efficiency.

10. Plan for Winter HVAC Maintenance

Though fall is still warm enough to need AC in Jacksonville, it’s never too early to start thinking about your heating system. Fall is the ideal time to schedule a check-up for both your AC and heating systems, ensuring you’re prepared for the cooler months.

Having a technician inspect your entire HVAC system can catch small issues before they become big problems, saving you time, stress, and money in the long run.

For AC Services in Jacksonville, FL, Contact Whitleys Heating and Air Today

Ensuring your home stays comfortable as the seasons change is essential to maintaining a healthy living environment. Whether you need help managing humidity, scheduling a fall tune-up, or considering new system upgrades, Whitleys Heating and Air is here to help. Our team of professionals has the experience and expertise to handle all your HVAC needs, ensuring you enjoy optimal indoor comfort year-round.

Contact us today to schedule an inspection or consultation, and keep your home comfortable, no matter what the Jacksonville climate throws your way!