The Standard Un-Enhanced System:
The most inefficient time in the operation of an air conditioning system is the start-up time. The more the system starts and stops the less efficient it will be. For the average system it takes between 8 to 10 minutes of operation for the system to reach its peak operating efficiency and its peak dehumidification capacity. The other problem is when the air conditioner stops the inside coil is saturated with moisture. Some of this moisture runs off, but a lot of it stays on the coil, up to 3 gallons on some new high efficiency coils. When the air conditioner comes back on and the fan starts blowing the warm air across this warm coil, the moisture is blown off the coil back into the house. It then takes about 8 minutes of operation to get the coil cold and moist to start the dehumidification process. This is very inefficient.
Some variable speed units have come out with what they call an enhanced mode that runs the blower at a reduced speed for 8 ½ minutes every time the system starts. This time is not adjustable and in humid climates will cause the unit, ductwork, and grilles to condense water and sweat.
This is unacceptable.