Whether you’re just visiting or looking to put down roots in the Ohio River Valley, this part of the Midwest is widely recognized as a great place to both vacation and raise a family. With lots of outdoor activities at your disposal, historic steamboats to tour, beautiful cities and downtown areas to explore, and the Bourbon trail just a stone’s throw away, there’s plenty to see, do, and sample throughout the area.
But when you consider all of the great things about the Ohio River Valley, you also have to consider some of the challenges – and arguably the most significant one is none other than the weather in this region. Specifically, it tends to be very hot and humid at certain times of the year, which can make things uncomfortable for year-round residents and visitors alike. In this post, we’ll discuss why the region is subject to these temperatures and how to beat the heat and humidity. Here’s a closer look:
Ohio River Valley Weather Explained
The Ohio River Valley region is characterized by cool winters, warm springs, and hot summer months. While the least humid month tends to be April, the most humid month in the Ohio River Valley is actually December. Relative humidity tends to also be high during the summer months of June, July, and August before decreasing in the fall. The summer months in the Ohio River Valley also tend to see little precipitation, which can make them feel even warmer.
Much of the Ohio River Valley is in the humid area of the continental climate zone and bordering on the subtropical climate zone thanks to its Midwest-to-Southern location. In the next section, we’ll discuss how a high-functioning HVAC system can help you beat the heat and humidity in the Valley.
How to Beat the Heat and Humidity
Aside from taking a dip into one of the many lakes or rivers, or visiting one of the beaches located throughout the Ohio River Valley, the best way to beat the heat and humidity is with a highly efficient HVAC system. Whether you have or are looking to install a new central air conditioning system or a ductless mini-split system, both types of cooling units are able to effectively and efficiently cool a property and remove humidity from it if they’re well maintained and working properly.
Your air conditioner works to keep your property cool and comfortable during the hottest months of the year, but you may not know that it can also help reduce humidity. There are a few key things to know about properly maintaining your AC system to beat both the heat and humidity, such as:
- Keep evaporator coils clean: These help remove heat and humidity from a property but must be clean to work to their full potential. Dirty air filters can help accelerate dust and debris buildup on the coils, which can impact an air conditioner’s efficiency.
- Refrigerant: An AC system’s refrigerant charge must be adequate to ensure the unit is able to work properly. Too low of a refrigerant level could also impact the compressor or evaporator coil.
- Fan speed: Many people think the higher the AC fan speed, the better the system works. That’s not always the case in humid environments. If your AC unit is operating at a higher fan speed than 350 CFM (cubic feet per minute), you may need to adjust it to the sweet spot for removing humidity from your property.
- Install a TXV Coil: A TXV coil has a thermostatic expansion valve, or a device that controls the amount of refrigerant liquid that is injected into the AC unit’s evaporator. It can help improve the working efficiency of your air conditioning unit and remove more humidity and heat from your property.
Contact Air Comfort of KY, Inc. Today
Now’s the time to fine-tune your current air conditioning unit or consider replacing your aging system with a new, high efficiency model. The summer heat and humidity in the Ohio River Valley will be at their peak soon. Make sure you’re prepared to beat the heat and humidity by contacting Air Comfort of KY, Inc. today.
