Can Humidity Control Help You Stay Comfortable at Higher Thermostat Settings?

How Humidity Affects Perceived Temperature

If you’ve ever stepped outside on an 85°F day and thought, “It feels hotter than 85°F,” you may have already experienced humidity’s impact on comfort.

Because humid air can make it hard for occupants to feel comfortable, managing indoor humidity may help support a more comfortable indoor environment. This is why humid conditions often feel more oppressive than dry conditions at the same temperature.

Research from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that at a common summer thermostat setting of 75°F, perceived temperature can vary by as much as 11°F depending on indoor humidity levels.1 In other words, two homes at the same temperature can feel dramatically different simply because of moisture in the air. For many homes, maintaining indoor humidity between 30% and 50% can help support comfort while limiting excess moisture.⁴

Can Low Humidity Make Higher Thermostat Settings Feel Comfortable?

Here's where things get interesting: When homeowners can remain comfortable at slightly higher thermostat settings, cooling energy demand may be reduced.^2,3

Research from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America program shows that humidity control plays an important role in maintaining comfort and influencing overall energy use in hot and humid climates.^2,3

Instead of chasing low indoor temperatures, the focus can shift to creating a balanced indoor environment where temperature and humidity work together. For homeowners considering a new HVAC system, the way a system manages humidity can be just as important as how it cools the air.

Advanced heat pumps and air conditioning systems with two-way, communicating inverter technology, like the Daikin FIT, are designed to make small, precise adjustments continuously adjusting cooling output based on indoor conditions. Because these systems with inverter technology are designed to run for longer periods at lower capacities (compared to traditional single-stage systems), this may help improve humidity control by allowing the cooling coil to remove moisture from the air over a longer operating cycle.⁶

Homeowners considering HVAC replacement may wish to discuss humidity-control goals, equipment options, and overall system design with a qualified HVAC professional to determine the most appropriate solution for their home.

HVAC Features That Help Improve Humidity Management

• Two-Way, Communicating Adaptive Inverter Technology

  Systems with two-way communicating, adaptive inverter technology, like the Daikin FIT, are designed to operate for longer periods at lower speeds compared to single-stage systems, which may help support more consistent moisture removal and temperature control when properly selected, installed, and maintained.^2,5

• Smart Thermostats and Humidity Sensors

  Select advanced HVAC controls, like the Daikin One+ smart thermostat, are designed to monitor both temperature and humidity by adjusting system performance to maintain balanced comfort.²

• Properly Sized HVAC Equipment

  Oversized air conditioners may cool too quickly, reducing the time needed for effective moisture removal. Correct sizing is essential for comfort and humidity control.²

Is Raising Your Thermostat Right for Your Home Comfort?

If your home often feels sticky, clammy, or muggy, even while the air conditioner or heat pump is running, it may be worth evaluating humidity levels.

Effective indoor humidity control can help your home feel cool, fresh, and comfortable while supporting indoor air quality and overall home performance. In some cases, managing excess indoor moisture may even allow occupants to remain comfortable at slightly higher thermostat settings.^1,3