US Patent 11703237 Controlling drying conditions to maintain humidity levels during HVAC operation

An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes a heat exchange module, at least one humidity sensor, and a controller. The heat exchange module includes a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a second heat exchanger, and an absorbent disposed on an outer surface of the first and second heat exchangers. The controller is configured to control to stop a normal operation and perform a drying operation for supplying air to any one of the first and second heat exchangers serving as an evaporator when it is determined that a predetermined drying operation condition is satisfied based on humidity information of air passed through the any one of the first and second heat exchangers serving as the evaporator, during the normal operation in which the any one of the first and second heat exchangers serves as an evaporator and the other serves as a condenser.