a humidity control method is provided for a multi - stage cooling system having two or more refrigerant circuits . a hot gas re - heat circuit having a hot gas re - heat coil , an evaporator and a compressor , such as the evaporator and compressor utilized in one of the refrigerant circuits , is provided . the hot gas re - heat coil is placed in fluid communication with the output airflow from the evaporator of the re - heat circuit . humidity control is performed during cooling operations and ventilation operations . during a first stage cooling operation using only one refrigerant circuit and having a low cooling demand , the request for humidity control activates the hot gas re - heat circuit for dehumidification and activates a second refrigerant circuit to provide cooling capacity . during a second stage cooling operation using multiple refrigerant circuits and having a high cooling demand , the request for humidity control is suspended until completion of the second stage cooling demand .