Why your house feels sticky even with the AC running.
The thermostat says 74°F. The AC is running. But the house feels... sticky. Clammy. Like the air itself is heavy.
You're not imagining it. High indoor humidity is a real problem in East Texas, and your AC system plays a bigger role in it than most people realize.
Temperature is only half of comfort. Humidity — the amount of moisture in the air — affects how warm or cool you actually feel.
This is why you can set the thermostat lower and lower, and still feel uncomfortable. The temperature is fine — the humidity isn't.
Smith County sits in a humid subtropical climate. Summer humidity regularly exceeds 80% outdoors. That moisture wants to get into your home — and it does, through:
Your AC system is supposed to remove this moisture as it cools. But sometimes it can't keep up.
Air conditioners don't just cool air — they dehumidify it. Here's how:
When this process works well, your AC handles both temperature and humidity. When it doesn't, you get a cool but clammy house.
This is counterintuitive, but a system that's too big for your home can actually make humidity worse.
An oversized AC cools the air quickly, then shuts off. But dehumidification requires the system to run long enough for moisture to condense on the coil. Short cycles = less moisture removal.
Signs of oversizing: System cycles on and off frequently (every 5-10 minutes), house cools fast but feels humid.
When the fan runs continuously (set to "On"), it blows air over the evaporator coil even when the compressor isn't running. This re-evaporates moisture that collected on the coil, putting it right back into your air.
Fix: Set the fan to "Auto" so it only runs when the system is actively cooling.
A coil coated with dust and grime can't absorb heat or condense moisture effectively. This reduces both cooling and dehumidification capacity.
Low refrigerant means the evaporator coil doesn't get cold enough to condense moisture efficiently. You might notice the house is both warm and humid.
If your return ducts have leaks in unconditioned spaces (like attics), they can pull in hot, humid outside air and mix it with your conditioned air. The system then has to work harder to remove moisture it shouldn't have to deal with.
Make sure the thermostat fan is set to "Auto," not "On." This is the simplest fix and often makes a noticeable difference.
A dirty filter restricts airflow over the coil, reducing dehumidification. Replace it if needed.
Run bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans during and after showers and cooking to remove moisture at the source.
For persistent humidity problems, a whole-house dehumidifier (installed in the duct system) or portable units can supplement your AC's moisture removal.
If you've set the fan to "Auto," changed the filter, and the house still feels humid, the problem may be:
These aren't DIY fixes, but they are solvable. A professional can measure humidity levels, assess your system's dehumidification capacity, and recommend solutions.
In East Texas, humidity control is just as important as temperature control. If your house feels sticky even with the AC running, the problem is real — and usually fixable.
Start with the simple things (fan setting, filter). If that doesn't help, the issue is likely something in the system itself that needs professional attention.
Need help with humidity issues in your Smith County home? Call 844-782-0080 to speak with a local HVAC professional.