传统上，传统空调被认为足以控制住宅应用中的空间湿度水平。然而，随着潮湿气候下的住宅变得更加节能，有证据表明，住宅中的相对湿度水平一直在增加（陆克文和亨德森，2007年）。这意味着建筑物的显热增益比湿负荷减少得多，导致潜在负荷和显热负荷的混合，与传统空调系统的显热比不匹配。 此外，根据ASHRAE标准62.2提供机械通风会影响典型家庭的空间湿度水平。一些高效住宅的建筑商安装了补充除湿系统，以明确提供除湿（Rudd等人，2003年；Rudd等人，2005年），并提供更精确的湿度控制。设备制造商开发了一系列除湿器、增强型空调和创新控制方法，以解决潜在负荷，降低高空间湿度水平的普遍性。

Conventional air conditioners have traditionally been deemed adequate for controlling space humidity levels in residential applications. However, as homes in humid climates have become more energy efficient, there is evidence that relative humidity levels in homes have been increasing (Rudd and Henderson 2007). This implies that sensible heat gains to the building have been reduced more than moisture loads, leaving a mix of latent and sensible loads that is poorly matched to the sensible heat ratio of conventional air conditioning systems. Furthermore, providing mechanical ventilation per ASHRAE Standard 62.2 affects space humidity levels in a typical home.Some builders of high efficiency homes have installed supplemental dehumidification systems to explicitly provide dehumidification (Rudd et al. 2003; Rudd et al. 2005) and provide more precise humidity control. Equipment manufacturers have developed a range of dehumidifiers, enhanced air conditioners, and innovative control approaches to address latent loads and reduce the prevalence of high space humidity levels.