According to certain embodiments, operating an HVAC system comprises receiving zone temperature data from a temperature sensor, zone humidity-ratio data from a humidity sensor, a temperature set point from a user, and a relative-humidity set point from a user. A humidity-ratio set point is determined based on the temperature and relative-humidity set points. A first command to the HVAC system to perform a cooling operation is communicated upon determining that the temperature data exceeds a temperature threshold based on the temperature set point. Determining if the humidity data has reached a humidity-ratio threshold based on the humidity-ratio set point after determining that the temperature data has reached the temperature threshold. Operating the HVAC system according to a dehumidification-based cooling procedure upon determining that the humidity data has not reached the humidity-ratio threshold.