Thailand
Heavy Rain! Which Air Conditioner Mode Is Best?
The rainy season brings rapid changes in weather. Many households feel cooler when it rains, but humidity also rises, causing stuffy indoor air, difficulty breathing, and sometimes musty odors or mold. That’s why many people still use air conditioners on rainy days to keep indoor air cool and fresh. A common question is: “Which AC mode is best during rain?” to strike the right balance between cooling, energy savings, and health. Let’s clear that up.
Why Use the AC When It’s Raining?
Even though it’s cooler on rainy days, the higher humidity makes the air feel heavy and uncomfortable, can cause breathing difficulties, and encourages mold growth indoors. Using the AC helps reduce indoor humidity, making the air cooler and fresher while preventing mold and bacteria that thrive in moisture.
Which AC Mode Should You Use on Rainy Days?
Modern air conditioners offer various modes, each with features suited to different conditions. Here’s a guide to help you choose:
1. Dry mode (dehumidify) — best for rainy days
Dry mode (symbolized by a water droplet) is ideal during heavy rain because it removes excess moisture from the air, preventing stuffiness and reducing mold and musty odors. It also uses less energy than Cool mode since the compressor cycles on and off instead of running continuously.
Benefits of dry mode:
- Effectively reduces indoor humidity
- More energy-efficient than regular cooling mode
- Keeps indoor air fresh and comfortable
- Lowers the risk of mold and unpleasant odors
2. Cool mode — standard cooling
Cool mode (symbolized by a snowflake) is commonly used year-round. The AC runs at full capacity to cool the room to your set temperature. If it’s raining but still feels warm or humid, this mode works well. Set the temperature between 25°C and 27°C to avoid overcooling and save energy.
Benefits of cool mode:
- Cools the room quickly
- Allows precise temperature control
- Suitable for rainy days when it still feels hot and humid
3. Auto mode
Auto mode (symbolized by “A” or “AUTO”) lets the AC automatically choose the best setting based on the room’s temperature and humidity. This mode is perfect if you don’t want to adjust settings frequently or are unsure which mode to use daily.
Benefits of auto mode:
- Convenient, no manual adjustments needed
- Automatically adapts to current conditions
- Suitable for all seasons
4. Fan mode
Fan mode (symbolized by a fan) works like a regular fan—it doesn’t cool but circulates air in the room. This is great for cool days when you want air circulation without cooling.
Benefits of fan mode:
- Most energy-efficient mode
- Helps ventilate the room
- Ideal for cool days needing fresh air circulation
Tips for Using AC on Rainy Days
Using a fan alongside your AC helps circulate air in the room, spreading the cool, dry air more effectively. It also speeds up sweat evaporation, keeping you comfortable even with the AC set a bit higher.
Keep doors and windows tightly closed to prevent outdoor humidity from entering. Any gaps make the AC work harder to control moisture. Thick curtains block humidity better than thin ones.
Don’t forget to clean your AC filters regularly, especially during the rainy season, since humidity encourages dust and germs buildup. Clean filters help your AC run efficiently and keep indoor air cleaner.
Benefits of Using the Air Conditioner Properly on Rainy Days
Using the AC correctly helps prevent health issues caused by high humidity, such as allergies, asthma, and mold growth. Proper humidity control also improves sleep quality and reduces that sticky, uncomfortable feeling in the air.
Additionally, choosing the right mode saves electricity—dry mode in particular uses less energy than regular cooling. Saving energy lowers your bills and benefits the environment.
Selecting the AC mode that suits the weather keeps your home comfortable, conserves energy, and extends your air conditioner’s lifespan. Next time it rains, try switching to dry mode—you’ll notice the difference.