How does high humidity affect refrigeration systems?

High humidity significantly affects refrigeration systems because it introduces additional moisture into the air that needs to be dehumidified before effective cooling can occur. When the air is humid, more energy is required to remove this moisture, effectively increasing the load on the system. This additional load means that the refrigeration unit has to work harder to maintain the desired temperature, resulting in reduced cooling efficiency.

When humidity is high, the evaporator coil has to absorb more heat and moisture from the air, leading to an increase in energy consumption and potentially causing the system to cycle more frequently. These factors together contribute to reduced overall efficiency in the refrigeration system.

Understanding this relationship helps technicians optimize system performance, particularly in humid environments, by ensuring that equipment is appropriately sized and maintained to handle the increased load presented by high humidity.