Humidity: The Hidden Key to Energy-Efficient Homes

By: Dan Bereiter, Senior Product Manager, Resideo

Homeowners looking to improve energy efficiency can invest in the best insulation, windows, and HVAC systems available, but they may still feel uncomfortable. The missing link in many high-performance homes isn’t temperature control – it’s humidity. Humidity plays a critical role in determining how comfortable a space feels and how efficiently its systems operate.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends maintaining indoor relative humidity between 30% and 50%. High humidity keeps the air moist and increases the likelihood of mold.

As builders continue to push for higher performance standards than in the past, homes are increasingly being built and upgraded with tighter building envelopes. The EPA notes that weatherization measures – such as sealing air leaks and adding insulation – are used to reduce uncontrolled air exchange between indoors and outdoors. That shift can help improve efficiency, but it can also change how indoor environments behave. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) notes that in hot and humid climates, indoor spaces are not comfortable unless both temperature and humidity are properly controlled; without proper humidity management, even a well-designed HVAC system may struggle to deliver the comfort homeowners expect.

This shift is reshaping how builders and HVAC professionals think about high-performance homes. As humidity moves to the forefront of home performance, new solutions are redefining how it’s managed. The Honeywell Home Whole Home Dehumidifier, named a “2026 Sustainable Product of the Year” by Green Builder Media, reflects this shift, bringing together efficient moisture removal, integrated ventilation, and serviceable design to help contractors and homeowners treat humidity as a core part of an energy strategy rather than an afterthought.

© 2026 Resideo Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. The Honeywell Home trademark is used under license from Honeywell International Inc. This product is manufactured by Resideo Technologies, Inc. and its affiliates.

The challenge of tighter, modern homes

To understand why humidity matters more today compared to older, naturally ventilated homes, it helps to look at how homes themselves are changing. Modern construction techniques prioritize airtight building envelopes to reduce energy loss. According to the DOE, reducing the amount of air that leaks in and out of the home is a cost-effective way to cut heating and cooling costs and increase comfort.

At the same time, everyday activities, from cooking and showering to doing laundry, continue to introduce moisture indoors. In a tightly sealed home, that moisture has limited pathways to escape and can accumulate over time. The EPA states that weatherization can reduce the exchange of indoor and outdoor air, and that pollutants can build up indoors if not properly managed.

Temperature alone is no longer a reliable indicator of comfort either. An HVAC system may reach the thermostat setpoint, but homeowners may still feel uncomfortable because humidity, airflow, ventilation, and filtration all interact to shape the indoor environment. As many contractors have experienced firsthand, the thermostat can say everything is fine while the homeowner is still uncomfortable. In many cases, the missing variable is humidity.

How balanced humidity impacts comfort and efficiency

Humidity directly influences how people perceive temperature. In the summer, excess humidity can make a room feel warmer than it is, leading homeowners to lower the thermostat and increase cooling demand. In the winter, overly dry air can create discomfort that prompts occupants to raise the heat.

From an HVAC system perspective, moisture also represents a significant portion of the cooling workload. The EPA notes that in humid climates, air conditioners must both cool the air and remove moisture to maintain comfort; otherwise, the air will feel uncomfortably damp even if the temperature is cool. When humidity is not properly managed, HVAC systems must work harder than necessary to maintain comfort.

Balanced humidity also protects building materials and supports cleaner indoor environments. For example, the EPA notes that excess moisture may lead to mold growth and damage to building materials. For this reason, humidity management is increasingly considered a core component of whole-home performance.

The role of whole-home dehumidification

Our new whole-home dehumidifiers are evolving to meet the demands of modern high-performance homes. New systems are being engineered with greater efficiency compared to previous models, improved serviceability to streamline maintenance, and flexible installation options designed to accommodate confined mechanical spaces commonly found in modern construction.

Our portfolio includes ENERGY STAR® certified dehumidifiers designed to address real-world installation and service challenges that contractors encounter in the field, along with a range of capacities to meet different home needs. Features such as a tri-directional outlet configuration help provide flexibility when connecting to existing ductwork, which can simplify installations in tight spaces such as attics, closets, and crawlspaces.

Serviceability has also become a major design priority. The system includes replaceable components, standard sized filters, and side-panel access to simplify maintenance and support long-term reliability. Extensive lifecycle testing helps ensure the equipment can withstand the long runtimes common in humid environments.

© 2026 Resideo Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. The Honeywell Home trademark is used under license from Honeywell International Inc. This product is manufactured by Resideo Technologies, Inc. and its affiliates.

Advanced sensing and diagnostics are also improving how humidity systems operate and how they are serviced. By monitoring conditions such as temperature, humidity, and pressure differentials within the unit, they can adjust operation to maintain performance and alert contractors to potential issues before they escalate.

Efficiency remains another major focus. Our Whole Home Dehumidifiers are designed to deliver high moisture removal while minimizing energy consumption. In humid climates or tightly built homes, that efficiency can contribute to meaningful energy savings while improving overall comfort.