Originally Posted by OpusX1 (Post 215173) We are gone all summer and leave ours running with the thermostat set at 86. Keeps the air moving and seems to keep the mold and mildew away. Electric has been running about $25.

Originally Posted by oatmealgirls (Post 215165) If you're away for an extended period, say 3 - 6 months, do you leave your AC running? If so, at what temp? What about just the fan? Does anyone not run anything and shut down the systems? Thanks.

Originally Posted by k2at (Post 215183) As stated in previous messages, a humidistat is the way to go. If you keep it at 60% humidity, it will put your thermostat to sleep and only use the air conditioning when the humidity goes above 60%. When you go away for an extended time, it is not the heat you need to worry about but rather the humidity. Mold and mildew cannot survive at 60% humidity or lower. Invest in a humidistat. It is the best way to go.

Originally Posted by bobfl (Post 215623) I have had this unit in two of my houses and seen it in many others and Honeywell calls it a Humidistat. http://www.honeywell-thermostat.com/...t-H46C1000.htm

Originally Posted by katezbox (Post 215169) Oatmeal, Do a search on dehumidistats. Handie and Barefoot discuss why this is a less expensive option than leaving the AC running or shutting the system down.

Originally Posted by ricthemic (Post 215292) If the AC system failed during the summer and was possibly off for three or four months with no windows open and assuming no one was checking the house can someone tell me, where is the mold, exposed on walls, rugs, hidden behind sheetrock ceilings, walls, attic, outside siding, inside the AC ductwork etc?? What happens? Can you get rid of it or is the house ruined? If mold is on the siding outside of the house does that mean it is on the inside too? Thank you in advance for you answers

Many years ago, I knew a couple who were snowbirds and also my neighbors up North. They puchased a home in FL and when they left for the summer they shut the heating/cooling system totally down. The following fall they returned to a home that wreaked of mold smells. Mold occurs in rugs, bedding, under sinks, bathrooms, anywhere favorable conditions exist. Needless to say the odor of mold, once established is nearly impossible to erase and their winter home never was free of the odor and rendered the home nearly impossible to sell.
Today's technology, I'm sure has found ways to alleviate it but nothing can beat the method of never letting it exist. If you leave your home for extended periods of time, a DEhumidistat is the way to go and will pay for itself in the first summer. It's also a very good idea to have a neighbor or friend or hire someone to check your home inside twice a month. Storms and/or malfunctions can cause your system to fail.
The mold that appears first on the North side of homes is a seperate issue and should be not allowed to exist for extended periods of time. Many reliable "power wash" company's can remove the mold stains and also apply preventive cleaning agents.

Originally Posted by Army Guy (Post 215676) How much do one of these dehumidstats go for? Army Guy