Closing home for summer-choices

[Ohiogirl]

We use a home watch company, and they do whatever we instruct, within reason of course, but everyone seems to prefer different procedures.

Friend of mine says they add a fair amount of white vinegar (2-4 cups) to each toilet and close the lid, everything fine when they return. Here, they have the home watch co. turn on the water and clean the toilets monthly. Does anyone do the vinegar thing here and just leave them alone all summer?

Also, we have 2 refrigerators (one in the laundry room) and plan to empty one and turn off, leave the other on low with condiments, staples like flour, etc. and whatever leftover beer/drinks we don't have room for in our car. Do you prefer to leave the doors closed or open on the turned-off one? I have seen posts advising both.

[Villager Joyce]

My husband will be more than happy to help you with the leftover beer. He prefers imported but will drink most anything available, in moderation of course.

[George Bieniaszek]

I would also love to help you with any leftover beer you may have in the fridge :)

Seriously, when we leave to go back to CT, we basically turn the water off in the house. Keep the electric cart on a Battery Minder, set the humidistat for 60% which will prevent mold and keep the AC costs down low, turn the ice maker off, and secure all the outside and lanai furniture by placing them in the garage.

The house stays empty for 6-8 weeks at the most before we are back so we don't prep the toilets, sinks, etc. We keep the fridge at the same temp figuring that there it will not run as much cause the fridge is closed for that period of time.

[redwitch]

Definitely leave doors open on fridge that is turned off. Otherwise, you get a musty smell.

Strangely different toilets even in the same house have different amounts of sediment. You can leave some with vinegar or bleach in the bowl and all will be well. For others, you'll still have some serious rings. Your home watch people should have some idea of what is needed for your toilets.

[Villageswimmer]

I would also love to help you with any leftover beer you may have in the fridge :)

Seriously, when we leave to go back to CT, we basically turn the water off in the house. Keep the electric cart on a Battery Minder, set the humidistat for 60% which will prevent mold and keep the AC costs down low, turn the ice maker off, and secure all the outside and lanai furniture by placing them in the garage.

The house stays empty for 6-8 weeks at the most before we are back so we don't prep the toilets, sinks, etc. We keep the fridge at the same temp figuring that there it will not run as much cause the fridge is closed for that period of time.

I see 60% on humidistat. What temperature on a/c?
Thanks.

[George Bieniaszek]

I set the AC at 78-80 degrees, but with the humidistat on, it takes over and monitors the humidity in the home. The humidistat disables the thermostat. The temperature in the house can go over 85 degrees but as long as the humidity levels are in check, you minimize the chances of mold.

I had Munn's install the humidistat. It was a couple of years ago and the price was around $150. You can see a payback to your investment within a year in the savings on your electric bill by not having the AC running to cool an empty house.

[bnb8521]

Munns technician told me to set the humidistat and thermostat both on 80 degrees.

[bnb8521]

Putting gallon jugs of water in the freezer will cause the fridge to run less.

[capecoralbill]

I always leave my refrigerators on , I used to turn them off, but then one time after sitting all winter it would not restart, I think had I left it on it would still be running. Something about the seals need to be 'internally oiled' frequently.

[Villageswimmer]

Munns technician told me to set the humidistat and thermostat both on 80 degrees.


Got 3 different answers from Sun Kool. The last guy (who seemed very knowledgeable) said temp 85, humidity 60. We have wood floors and the 85 scares me a little.

Before we got the humidistat (not sure it was worth it) we always set ac to 81. Never had a problem.

[capecoralbill]

Excuse my ignorance, what purpose does a humidistat serve? Have you noticed a difference in comfort or cost? Thanks

[CFrance]

Got 3 different answers from Sun Kool. The last guy (who seemed very knowledgeable) said temp 85, humidity 60. We have wood floors and the 85 scares me a little.

Before we got the humidistat (not sure it was worth it) we always set ac to 81. Never had a problem.
I wouldn't be scared for the wood floors. Wood floors have been around long before air-conditioning, even in the south.

[George Bieniaszek]

Excuse my ignorance, what purpose does a humidistat serve? Have you noticed a difference in comfort or cost? Thanks

If you live fulltime in The Villages, you probably don't need a humidistat. If your home will remain unoccupied for a number of weeks or months, then you should consider a humidistat.

A humidistat monitors the humidity levels inside your house and will turn your AC on when the humidity level reaches a pre-set level (say 60%). High humidity will lead to mold a possibility of mold growing in your home.

You can just set the AC to a higher level than you normally set it when you are not at home and it will do basically the same thing, turning on to recirculate the air in your home and keep the humidity low enough to minimize mold build up, but it will most likely cost you more on your electric bill each month.

Having a humidistat, will run your AC less frequently to maintain a low humidity level and you will probably see a payback in your investment within a year in savings due to lower electric bills.

[TrudyM]

Got 3 different answers from Sun Kool. The last guy (who seemed very knowledgeable) said temp 85, humidity 60. We have wood floors and the 85 scares me a little.

Before we got the humidistat (not sure it was worth it) we always set ac to 81. Never had a problem.

Doesn't it matter if the humidistat is installed inline or parallel? One way as I understand it makes the humidistat totally override the thermostat the other way it goes on if it reaches high humidity or high temp... At least that is what I was told. We put ours inline so it overrides or at least I think we did. Redwitch would know if it is working or not as we aren't there now and she is the goddess looking after things.

[bonrich]

I also turn off the breaker to our our hot water tank. I drain the hot water and replace it with the new water which will not be heated. Cuts out the possible rotten egg smell when you return and start using the water.

[TrudyM]

I also turn off the breaker to our our hot water tank. I drain the hot water and replace it with the new water which will not be heated. Cuts out the possible rotten egg smell when you return and start using the water.

I turned off the breaker but did not then run the water to change out what was in the tank. Why would water that had been previously heated have a rotten egg smell?

[TNLAKEPANDA]

We have the humidistat and set it to 60 and temp at 78 (per Munns). Our summer elec bill is always right around $40. Can't beat that! (1910 sf house).

Bleach in the commodes for sure. Water and WH off. Alarm on and armed. Don't forget to check your sprinkler settings!

See ya in Sept.

[Shimpy]

I wouldn't be scared for the wood floors. Wood floors have been around long before air-conditioning, even in the south.

I grew up in Miami in the early 50's without A/C and we had oak floors. Never a problem.

[bonrich]

I turned off the breaker but did not then run the water to change out what was in the tank. Why would water that had been previously heated have a rotten egg smell?

I was told by our builder that the molecular structure of the water is changed after being heated and just sits in the tank. We had experienced the smell of the hot water for a time period until it has circulated through use. So, much easier to do it before and keep the breaker off since you don't need hot water if you are not there.

[looneycat]

Definitely leave doors open on fridge that is turned off. Otherwise, you get a musty smell.

Strangely different toilets even in the same house have different amounts of sediment. You can leave some with vinegar or bleach in the bowl and all will be well. For others, you'll still have some serious rings. Your home watch people should have some idea of what is needed for your toilets.

good advice, I'd go with the bleach since vinegar will prevent rings but not bacteria

[Ohiogirl]

Got 3 different answers from Sun Kool. The last guy (who seemed very knowledgeable) said temp 85, humidity 60. We have wood floors and the 85 scares me a little.

Before we got the humidistat (not sure it was worth it) we always set ac to 81. Never had a problem.

Just had our a/c tuneup from Sunkool yesterday. We have a combo thermostat/humidistadt. Told to set it on 82 and put humidity at 70%. Think we were told something different by last year's tech.

[kfierle]

Just had our a/c tuneup from Sunkool yesterday. We have a combo thermostat/humidistadt. Told to set it on 82 and put humidity at 70%. Think we were told something different by last year's tech.

I had my tuneup from SunKool a couple of weeks ago. I also have a thermostat/humidistat combo and was told to set it on 82 with humidity at 60%. I ask every year what I should set it at and have never been told anything different.

[2newyorkers]

Please be aware that leaving bleach in your toilet can ruin the "innards-floats, etc." We turn our hot water heater down to last click but do not turn off.

[Rango]

Your beer won't be any good.

[Phanatic Luvr]

As per Munn's ...
Oh no ... sorry for the neck cramp again. Can never get my picture's to come out right on this sight.

[Barefoot]

Munns technician told me to set the humidistat and thermostat both on 80 degrees.
We have a card from Munn's taped inside our pantry door.
The card says thermostat at 78 degrees and dehumidistat at 60 to 65 degrees.

We have the humidistat and set it to 60 and temp at 78 (per Munns). Our summer elec bill is always right around $40. Can't beat that! Bleach in the commodes for sure. Water and WH off. Alarm on and armed. Don't forget to check your sprinkler settings!

We follow the same procedures as Tnlakepanda.
We leave our closet doors open and our ceiling fans running on low.
We leave our fridge on, but we set it at a low temperature.
Our summer hydro bill is around $40/month.
We have Village Watchdogs check our home every week.