That sticky feeling isn't just about the thermostat setting. Here's what dehumidification actually does.
Homeowners tell us the same thing every summer: 'The thermostat says 74, but it feels like 80.' They're not wrong. The thermostat only measures temperature, comfort is temperature plus humidity, and in Florida, humidity is the bigger lever.
The 55% rule
Indoor relative humidity above 60% feels muggy, encourages mold, and makes 74°F feel warm. Below 45% and static shocks return. The sweet spot is 45–55%. Once you live in it, you'll never go back.
Why your AC alone isn't enough
An air conditioner dehumidifies as a side effect of cooling. If your system is oversized (very common), it satisfies the thermostat in a five-minute blast and shuts off before pulling meaningful moisture out of the air. Result: cool and clammy.
What actually works
- Right-sized, variable-speed equipment that runs longer at lower output
- A whole-home dehumidifier tied into your return duct
- Sealing duct leaks and attic bypasses that pull humid outdoor air in
- A thermostat with a true humidity setpoint, not just temperature
Fix humidity and you can raise your thermostat 2–3°F without noticing. That's real money on the power bill.
Sunshine State Heating & Air technical team
Florida state certified HVAC contractor, license CAC1817890 · Google Guaranteed · serving Flagler, Volusia and St. Johns counties since 2014
Our guides are written and reviewed by the licensed technicians who run our service calls out of Bunnell, Florida. Family owned and operated since 2014, we work on residential systems across Flagler, Volusia and St. Johns counties every day, and everything published here reflects what we actually find in the field.
Published June 4, 2026 · Reviewed by our licensed team on May 4, 2026