What characteristic of an air duct is affected by cooling the air to its dew point for dehumidification?

Cooling the air to its dew point is a key process used for dehumidification. When air is cooled to its dew point, the moisture content in the air condenses onto cold surfaces, effectively reducing the amount of water vapor present in the air. This leads to a lower humidity level in the conditioned space.

Humidity level is a critical factor in climate control, particularly in HVAC applications, as it influences comfort and air quality. If the air is too humid, it can lead to discomfort, mold growth, and increased energy costs because the system has to work harder to maintain comfortable conditions. By cooling the air to its dew point, moisture is removed, and the overall humidity level decreases, providing a more comfortable indoor environment.

The other options—air pressure, air temperature, and airflow speed—are not directly impacted by the process of cooling air to its dew point for the purpose of dehumidification. Air pressure is primarily affected by the overall system design and conditions, air temperature is a result of the cooling process but not the specific characteristic being targeted for dehumidification, and airflow speed can vary based on fan systems and duct design rather than directly from the cooling to dew point.