August 2025 - Apex Air HVAC Contractor - Residential and Commercial Heating & Air Conditioning Services

Top Benefits of a Dehumidifier: Improving Comfort, Health & Home Quality

When summer heat hits Washington homes, air conditioning becomes essential. But if you’ve ever cranked the AC and still felt hot and sticky, you might be overlooking a major factor in your indoor comfort: humidity.

Humidity levels that are too high don’t just make you uncomfortable — they can impact your health, damage your home and put extra stress on your HVAC system. Fortunately, there is an easy solution: a dehumidifier.

Let’s take a closer look at why humidity matters and how a dehumidifier can help.

Why High Humidity Feels So Uncomfortable

Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air. When humidity levels rise, the air feels heavier and warmer. That’s because your body relies on sweating to cool down — but sweat can’t evaporate effectively in humid conditions. The result? You feel hotter, even if your thermostat says you’re at a comfortable temperature.

Too much moisture can also:

Make your skin feel clammy
Cause your hair to frizz or go flat
Create musty odors in your home
Fog up windows and mirrors
Increase dust mites and mold growth

These are just a few common symptoms of high humidity in home environments that Washington residents often experience, especially in the late summer months.

The Hidden Costs of High Indoor Humidity

It’s not just about discomfort — excess humidity can take a toll on your home and HVAC system:

More strain on your AC: Your air conditioner has to work harder to remove moisture from the air, not just cool it.
Higher energy bills: Overworked AC units use more electricity.
Indoor air quality issues: Damp air can trigger allergies, asthma and respiratory irritation.
Structural damage: Prolonged moisture exposure can warp wood, damage drywall and invite mold.

How Dehumidifiers Work

A dehumidifier pulls moisture from the air and collects it into a reservoir or drains it through a hose. By reducing the humidity in your home, it helps your air conditioner run more efficiently and improves your overall comfort.

You can choose from:

Portable dehumidifiers: Ideal for basements or single rooms
Whole-home dehumidifiers: Integrated into your HVAC system for balanced moisture control throughout your home

Top Benefits of a Dehumidifier in Washington Homes

Installing a dehumidifier can dramatically improve your indoor climate. Here’s how:

Keeps your home cooler without lowering the thermostat
Reduces allergy and asthma triggers like mold and dust mites
Protects furniture, wood floors and structural components from moisture damage
Helps your AC last longer by reducing wear and tear
Cuts down on musty odors

In short: Drier air feels cooler, cleaner and healthier.

What’s the Ideal Indoor Humidity Level in Washington?

For maximum comfort and health, your indoor humidity should stay between 30% and 50%. Anything above 60% is considered too humid, and levels over 70% can lead to serious mold growth.

Ready To Regain Comfort in Your Home?

If you’re constantly asking, “Why does it still feel muggy even with the AC on?” — a dehumidifier could be the answer.

Whether you’re dealing with musty rooms, persistent allergies or just want to make your air conditioner more effective, Apex Air is here to help. We offer both portable and whole-house dehumidifier solutions perfect for Washington’s climate and your unique home.

Don’t Let Humidity Take Over Your Comfort

Contact Apex Air today for your free consultation. We’ll help you find the right dehumidifier solution to keep your home cool, dry and comfortable — no matter how hot and humid it gets outside.

Visit our website to learn more and schedule your appointment.

Why Your AC Blows Warm Air & How To Fix It: Troubleshooting Guide

There’s nothing worse than turning on your air conditioner during a Washington heatwave… only to feel warm air blowing through your vents. An AC blowing hot air is one of the most common AC complaints — and luckily, it’s often fixable.

If you’ve been wondering, “How do I fix my AC blowing warm air?”, our experts at Apex Air have created a guide to help you. Below, we’ll walk through some of the most frequent causes and what you can do to restore that cool comfort fast.

1. Start With the Thermostat

Before assuming the worst, double-check your thermostat settings. It’s possible the system is:

Accidentally set to “heat”
Set to “fan only,” which moves air but doesn’t cool it
Programmed incorrectly or stuck in an old schedule

Make sure your thermostat is set to “cool” — at a temperature lower than the current indoor temp — and the fan is set to “auto.”

2. Check for a Dirty Air Filter

A clogged filter restricts airflow and can cause your AC to overheat — or fail to cool altogether. If it’s been more than 1–3 months since your last filter change, swap it out and see if that helps.

Clean airflow is key to efficient performance and comfortable indoor temperatures.

3. Look for Refrigerant Issues

Refrigerant is the chemical that actually cools the air. If your system has a refrigerant leak or low levels, it may still run — but only blow warm air.

Signs include:

Ice on the outdoor unit or evaporator coil
Hissing or bubbling noises
Long cooling cycles with little temperature change

This isn’t a DIY fix — you’ll need an HVAC pro to inspect, repair the leak and recharge the system.

4. Inspect the Outdoor Unit

Your condenser coils live in the outdoor unit and help release heat from inside your home. If they’re covered in dirt, leaves or grass clippings, they can’t do their job — and your home stays warm.

Gently rinsing the unit with a garden hose (never a pressure washer) may help. Or, schedule a professional coil cleaning as part of routine maintenance.

5. Check Circuit Breakers

If your indoor fan is running but the outdoor AC unit isn’t, a tripped circuit breaker could be the culprit. Head to your breaker box and see if any switches have flipped.

Reset the breaker and listen for the outdoor unit to turn back on. If it doesn’t — or the breaker keeps tripping — it’s time to call in a technician.

6. Compressor Problems Could Be To Blame

The compressor is a critical part of your cooling system. If it’s malfunctioning or has failed completely, your AC may run but only push out warm air.

This is a more serious issue and often requires replacement. The sooner it’s diagnosed, the more repair options you may have.

Preventive Maintenance Makes a Big Difference

Many of these issues can be avoided with regular seasonal maintenance. An AC tune-up includes:

Checking refrigerant levels
Cleaning coils and filters
Inspecting electrical components
Testing system performance

Don’t wait for a warm-air emergency to take action — maintenance helps you catch small issues before they become big problems.

Call Apex Air — We’ll Help Fix It Fast

Still need help? Don’t sweat it. The team at Apex Air is here to help.

We’re proud to serve homeowners across the Portland and Vancouver metro areas with expert diagnostics, reliable repairs and affordable service. With over 55 years of combined experience, we’ll get your system back to cooling the way it should.