[CraigAC]

Can someone supply me with the recommended heating and cooling temperatures for the thermostat when we'll be away from our villages home for an extended period of time?

I'd also like to know the recommended humidity level?

Thanks

[bobdel]

Put in a humidistat: They recommended temp 78 huminity 60

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I had a humidistat when I lived in Sarasota.If I recall how they work, if you set the thermostat to 78* the air conditioner will run almost all the time. The idea is to have the air come on only when the humidity gets above a certainly level regardless of temperature. If I remember we used to set the thermostat on 98* and the humidistat at 60%. The air will come on whenever the temperature reaches whatever you have the thermostat set on. How often does it get below 78* here in the summer time?

[George Bieniaszek]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I had a humidistat when I lived in Sarasota.If I recall how they work, if you set the thermostat to 78* the air conditioner will run almost all the time. The idea is to have the air come on only when the humidity gets above a certainly level regardless of temperature. If I remember we used to set the thermostat on 98* and the humidistat at 60%. The air will come on whenever the temperature reaches whatever you have the thermostat set on. How often does it get below 78* here in the summer time?

We have a humidistat that was installed by Munn's and use it when our villa sits empty. When we activate the Humidistat, it over-rides the thermostat and turns the AC on when the humidity reaches or exceeds 60%, regardless what the thermostat is set at. We have noticed that our electric bills during the summer months have gone down by $40-$60 per month.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

We leave our thermostat set on 55 for the heat set-point and 84 for the cooling while we're away. Automatic thermostat - it switches between heating and cooling by itself as needed.

Seems to work o.k. for us.

Bill

[dkrhardy]

Yep, humidistat if you are away for long periods!

[chuckinca]

We have had our house for 7 years and always leave it set at 84 in the summer when we are snowbirding. Never had a humidistat and never had any problems.

Some summers the electric bills were in the $20/mo range and some in the $50/mo range depending on weather. This summer, due to global warming, the electric was in the $50/mo range. 1800 SF 3/2 w/10' ceilings.

.

[redwitch]

84 can be a little high. The A/C companies (unless they've changed the temps and no one told me -- quite possible) have always told me that 83 in the summer is the optimal temp to keep mold away and not have a high bill. 55 for the winter is more than enough to keep anything from freezing over.

Dehumidistats do change things so that you can leave things at higher temps with no risk.

[keithwand]

Craig;
82 cooling and 54 heat.
Done this for 8 years and no problems in either house.

[CraigAC]

Thanks everyone -- we're closing things up now and wishing we were unpacking instead. This is a wonderful place and we'll be counting the days until we become full-time residents.