How long should AC run to remove humidity?

Author: Morton Mraz  |  Last update: Saturday, December 6, 2025

Generally, it can take anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours to significantly reduce humidity levels. For best results, the AC should run in cycles, with each cycle lasting at least 15-20 minutes. Short cycles may cool the air but won't run long enough to remove much moisture.

Should I run AC to reduce humidity?

It is best to run the AC. You're going to get mold growing and fabrics in the house will start to mildew. If you just keep it running, it will maintain the humidity at a lower level. If it's not keeping the humidity down, it's not working right and the homeowner needs to address that.

What is the best AC setting to dehumidify?

Dry mode helps dehumidify your home, making it more comfortable and reducing the exhaustion and perspiration that come with high humidity levels. By drawing out excess moisture, this feature creates a cosy living space that's easy on the body. Say goodbye to the discomfort of a humid environment.

Why is my AC not running long enough to remove humidity?

Check the refrigerant charge. If the charge is too low, your AC will struggle to remove enough heat or humidity from your home to keep you comfortable. Eventually, this problem could morph into something worse: freezing of the coil or even compressor failure.

Why is my house humid even with the AC on?

If your house is humid with the ac on, there is likely an issue with your air conditioner that is preventing it from dehumidifying. Frost build-up on your evaporator coils is the most common reason for humidity, but can also be caused by leaking ductwork or excess amounts of dirt and debris.

What's the Best Humidity Level for Your Home?

How much does AC reduce humidity?

Generally, a home with an efficient air conditioner can lower humidity levels by as much as half. However, this can vary depending on the unit, the home size, and the humidity levels in your area. Keep in mind the ideal relative humidity level for most people and animals is 30-50%.

How to get rid of high humidity in a house?

Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners, especially in hot, humid climates, to reduce moisture in the air, but be sure that the appliances themselves don't become sources of biological pollutants. Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows.

How long does it take for AC to dehumidify a house?

Generally, it can take anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours to significantly reduce humidity levels. For best results, the AC should run in cycles, with each cycle lasting at least 15-20 minutes. Short cycles may cool the air but won't run long enough to remove much moisture.

What is the best temperature to remove humidity?

Set the thermostat to a consistent temperature, even at 78°F, to keep humidity levels in check. Invest in a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers are designed to extract excess moisture from the air. Place one in areas like bathrooms, basements, or laundry rooms for best results.

Which mode in AC removes humidity?

By activating "Dry Mode", the AC system dehumidifies the air, removing excess moisture and creating a more pleasant and breathable indoor environment. Enhanced Comfort: High humidity can negatively impact the perception of temperature, making it feel warmer than it actually is.

Does leaving an AC fan on increase humidity?

Leaving your AC fan set to ON allows the moisture in your home to accumulate and reach mold-growing levels of humidity. To ensure that you and your family stay cool and healthy this summer, keep your AC thermostat fan setting to AUTO.

Can I run my AC on dry mode all day?

You should only use dry mode for just one to two hours at a time. Letting your air conditioner run indefinitely while in dry mode can leave you with excessively dry indoor air. This can lead to sneezing, dry eyes, dry skin, and other uncomfortable symptoms.

What should I set my thermostat to reduce humidity?

Relative Humidity Control

The Relative Humidity (RH) measurement on a thermostat is the level of moisture in the air. During the winter, RH levels indoors should be 40 percent or lower. It can rise to over 60 percent in the warmer months. Your home's humidity is impacted by your HVAC system and thermostat settings.

How long does it take to get humidity out of a house?

How long will it take to get the moisture under control? As long as the dehumidifier you choose is large enough for the area it is working in, and there are no specific damp problems, then a dehumidifier will normally reduce the humidity to the chosen level within a few days to a week.

How to get AC to dehumidify better?

Make sure your thermostat fan setting is on the “auto” position instead of “on.” Your AC system will run the fan only when necessary to keep your indoor air temperature at the level you choose. It will also let the condensation that collects on the evaporator coil to drain out of the unit as intended.

Does having a fan on reduce humidity?

Open your windows whenever possible, make sure you have proper airflow and check for blockages in your ductwork. Turn on the ceiling fans: Keeping the air moving is an essential part of keeping excessive moisture away.

Should AC keep humidity down?

You already know that air conditioners cool off your home, but you may not realize that it also reduces the humidity in your home as well.

What temperature should I dehumidify?

What's a low temperature? In the case of TOSOT dehumidifiers too low is 40°F or lower. If you need to dehumidify your space (most probably your basement), make sure that you turn on the heater to temperatures higher than 40°F. For best performance try temperatures around 60°F and higher.

Is 70% humidity too high for house?

High humidity can cause problems in your home if relative humidity regularly exceeds 60%.

Why is my AC cooling but not removing humidity?

Dirty evaporator coils and clogged air filters can hinder your air conditioner's ability to dehumidify the air. When the evaporator coil is dirty, it can't absorb heat and humidity as effectively. Similarly, a clogged filter restricts airflow, reducing the system's overall efficiency.

What should humidity be in a house with AC running?

The answer to "What should humidity be in a house with air conditioning" is that humidity levels should fall between 30% and 50%. Humidity levels should increase when the temperature climbs and drop as temperatures begin to fall. Even with an air conditioner running full-blast, humidity levels shouldn't dip below 30%.

Can you over dehumidify a house?

Leaving your dehumidifier on all the time can result in dehumidifying too much, leading to a dry indoor environment. It can cause dry air, leading to respiratory issues, dehydrated skin, and static electricity.

How to get humidity out of house without a dehumidifier?

Probably one of the fastest and most practical ways to decrease humidity in the house is to open a window. A fresh, dry breeze will quickly absorb moisture in spaces like your bathroom or kitchen. Turn your air conditioner down if you open a window to prevent your unit from working too hard.

What humidity level is uncomfortable?

While there's no set humidity threshold above which general comfort level begins to deteriorate, NOAA typically considers relative humidity (RH) levels of 50% or more, and dewpoints (a more direct measure of humidity) above 65 F (18 C) to be uncomfortably high.

Does opening windows reduce humidity?

Appropriate Ventilation

Ensure your house has enough airflow by opening doors and windows to allow a cross-breeze, installing ceiling fans, or employing exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to reduce dampness. This maintains ideal humidity levels by letting damp air escape and allowing fresh air to flow.

Previous article
How to make a room colder with just a fan?
Next article
What can I use instead of a skeleton key?