Air Conditioning - Humidistat vs Delayed Timer

Humidistat vs Delay Timer

To control dehumidification, I am aware of two methods.
1. Using a delayed timer, reduce blower speed for a specific time interval when AC is first turned on.
2. Install a dehumidification humidistat.

Which method is preferred? And, would there be a problem if both methods were used?

Thanks,
Jerry

Your question is not quite clear..............I assume you mean dehumidify with a central air conditioner.

You can not use a dehumidistat alone because without controlling the air flow the a/c can over cool the space before the humidity lowers to where you want it.

Where positive humidity control is needed there is another way that uses a strip heater running along with the cooling unit.
This allows the a/c unit to dehumidify and maintain a set temperature at the same time.

It depends on where you are at.

-Blower ramp delay.

Will be good in area where humidity isn't extreme, and your budget don't allow you to do a higher end control But you can use a basic humidistat.

-Humidistat control of blower speed.

Is good in area where humidity can be high, and where days are wet and mild when you don't have a lot of cooling demand.


Honeywell has a good stat called the IAQ. That stat will control will tell the furnace to slow down the blower to remove the humidity. When the humidity is below set point, then the blower will go back to it's high speed. And say if the day is very humid, mild, and the humidity is going up in the home, the t-stat will start off the A/C when the humidity is 5% over set point, and will try to dry out the home, and may over cool the home up to 3˚.

It depends on where you are at.

-Blower ramp delay.

Will be good in area where humidity isn't extreme, and your budget don't allow you to do a higher end control But you can use a basic humidistat.

-Humidistat control of blower speed.

Is good in area where humidity can be high, and where days are wet and mild when you don't have a lot of cooling demand.


Honeywell has a good stat called the IAQ. That stat will control will tell the furnace to slow down the blower to remove the humidity. When the humidity is below set point, then the blower will go back to it's high speed. And say if the day is very humid, mild, and the humidity is going up in the home, the t-stat will start off the A/C when the humidity is 5% over set point, and will try to dry out the home, and may over cool the home up to 3˚.
Jay –

Thanks Greg and Jay -
I think Greg H, by reading your comments, understands what I was asking. However, I can see where my query might have been confusing.

With your explanation of the two options, would you see a problem if both options were used?

And, with your explanation of using a humidistat, here is my question. Does the AC (and blower fan) have to be running first before the humidistat can reduce the air flow speed? If I read your statement correctly, it seems to say your recommended humidistat can start the AC based only on humidity needs.

Jerry