[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by ricthemic

Worked 40 years in HVAC service up north. So I have a question regarding all these temperature/dehumidifier post.
Question for full timers and snowbirds. Whatever you set your interior controls at for comfort and or to protect your house from mold during six months of Florida high temps and humidity, why isn’t every garage then loaded with mold?

You need four elements to grow mold. In your garage there isn't food. There is mold spores, humidity, temperature.

In your home you have the food, soap film, natural fibers, paper. If you did not eliminate the humidity you would have mold growing.

Likewise, if you had unsealed drywall on your garage, you would have food (paper). Your garage is painted. Sunlight also kills mold, you do open your garage door frequently.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I don't think that a room de-humidifier will have much effect at all on the humidity in the entire house.

In a relatively small two bedroom house it would certainly at least help. Of course, it is not ideal, but it is certainly better than not having one.

[Arctic Fox]

A dehumidifier is a good idea as it is cheaper to run than the a/c (in terms of both electricity and wear & tear) and it should keep the humidity low, which is what is wanted.

[anothersteve]

Isn't a byproduct of a room dehumidifier dry heat? Wouldn't that be counter productive when AC is running?
Steve

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by ricthemic

Worked 40 years in HVAC service up north. So I have a question regarding all these temperature/dehumidifier post.
Question for full timers and snowbirds. Whatever you set your interior controls at for comfort and or to protect your house from mold during six months of Florida high temps and humidity, why isn’t every garage then loaded with mold?

For some reason, people move down here then freak out about mold. Venture to say there are hundreds (if not thousands) of homes here that sit vacant for long periods of time, without having any mold issues.

[graciegirl]

The answer we were told years ago is to put your air conditioner on 83 degrees.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

You need four elements to grow mold. In your garage there isn't food. There is mold spores, humidity, temperature.

In your home you have the food, soap film, natural fibers, paper. If you did not eliminate the humidity you would have mold growing.

Likewise, if you had unsealed drywall on your garage, you would have food (paper). Your garage is painted. Sunlight also kills mold, you do open your garage door frequently.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by anothersteve

Isn't a byproduct of a room dehumidifier dry heat? Wouldn't that be counter productive when AC is running?
Steve

Yes, a dehumidifier works by cooling the air to remove moisture, and then reheating it back to the original temperature.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by anothersteve

Isn't a byproduct of a room dehumidifier dry heat? Wouldn't that be counter productive when AC is running?

Yes - you wouldn't run both; just the dehumidifier

As long as you don't set the humidity level too low (others here have recommended 50%) then having a hot, dry house shouldn't cause any problems.

[pauld315]

78 if you have wood or laminate floors

[Aloha1]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

I've never left fans on when on Vaca........(the OP question)......do you leave them on for weeks at a time when away??

Answer: Yes. My fans are on low constantly all year round whether home or away. Something we learned to do when living in Hawai'i.

[Aloha1]

Originally Posted by ricthemic

Worked 40 years in HVAC service up north. So I have a question regarding all these temperature/dehumidifier post.
Question for full timers and snowbirds. Whatever you set your interior controls at for comfort and or to protect your house from mold during six months of Florida high temps and humidity, why isn’t every garage then loaded with mold?

[Aloha1]

With all due respect to the other posters, the biggest cause of mold is MOISTURE! That's why it's key to keep humidity below 60% here in Florida. Our garages don't get mold because they are concrete block with no drywall. Inside we have drywall which is a food source for mold when combined with high humidity levels. You can certainly keep your home humidity below 50% if you are willing to keep your home at 70 to 72 degrees F all summer long. Personally, I don't like wearing sweaters inside in the summer. All I can say after 21 years of living in Hawai'i and Florida is that I've never had a mold problem, a ceiling fan burn up, or high electric bills by keeping my fans on low and temp set at 81 when away. FYI, when home, we set at 77. In both cases my humidity level never goes above 55-57. My best advice? Get a wi-fi thermostat so you can monitor what's happening when you are away. Adjust accordingly based on YOUR experience.

[B-flat]

Originally Posted by ricthemic

Worked 40 years in HVAC service up north. So I have a question regarding all these temperature/dehumidifier post.
Question for full timers and snowbirds. Whatever you set your interior controls at for comfort and or to protect your house from mold during six months of Florida high temps and humidity, why isn’t every garage then loaded with mold?

I’d like to hear this answer to this one too!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Aloha1

With all due respect to the other posters, the biggest cause of mold is MOISTURE! That's why it's key to keep humidity below 60% here in Florida. Our garages don't get mold because they are concrete block with no drywall. Inside we have drywall which is a food source for mold when combined with high humidity levels. You can certainly keep your home humidity below 50% if you are willing to keep your home at 70 to 72 degrees F all summer long. Personally, I don't like wearing sweaters inside in the summer. All I can say after 21 years of living in Hawai'i and Florida is that I've never had a mold problem, a ceiling fan burn up, or high electric bills by keeping my fans on low and temp set at 81 when away. FYI, when home, we set at 77. In both cases my humidity level never goes above 55-57. My best advice? Get a wi-fi thermostat so you can monitor what's happening when you are away. Adjust accordingly based on YOUR experience.

My garage, and many other garages do have drywall. I have never had any problem with mold or mildew in the garage.