[oatmealgirls]

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.

[MelZ]

I would suggest you either leave the A/C on (probably at abour 80F) or install a Humidstat at 60% humidity.

[katezbox]

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.

[OpusX1]

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.

[twynsmom]

Originally Posted by OpusX1

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.

We do the same when we are away for an extended period. We were also told to leave a fan running (at low speed) in the living room. Electric runs around 25/35$.

[JUREK]

Originally Posted by oatmealgirls

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.

Call Handiman Do run the air but also install a dehumidistat. Call John he is very knowledgeable and does efficient work and very reasonable .It's not worth the risk of getting mold in the house.

[k2at]

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.

[Keedy]

Originally Posted by k2at

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.

I agree with the last 2 posters....it is the humidity not the heat that will cause mold damage.

[chuckinca]

We used to leave our air on at 80 degrees but last summer it was left at 83 following recommendations from an old time TV resident. The higher temp lowered our monthly summer electric bill from around $65/mo to $15/mo and no mold issues.

.

[The Great Fumar]

When we first came to THE VILLAGES we had a court yard villa that had a humidistat........we were told to set the temp at 85 and the stat at 75...we did this for two years and it worked very well, Then we moved to another house that didn't have a stat so we were told to set the temp at 85 while we were gone.........We have done that for three years and have never had any mold problems ..........When we return the house has always been in great shape ..........that is except for all the yellow spots out by the curb.....its either my neighbor or dogs ....still haven't found out which....however they are large spots so it might not be dogs...

fumar

[ricthemic]

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

[iaudit]

Dehumidistat - a switch that energizes a circuit when the humidity in an area rises ABOVE the setting selected. Usually used to run an air conditioner or an exhaust fan in a bathroom.
DECREASES humidity in the house.

Humidistat - a switch that energizes a circuit when the humidity in an area falls BELOW the setting selected. Usually used to run a humidifier ( usually a unit installed in a forced hot air furnace or a stand alone unit in the house). Helps to eliminate static electricity in the house also.
INCREASES humidity in the house.

There is a BIG difference in the two types of switches. Please don't tell your neighbors and friends to get a humidistat for their house.

[oatmealgirls]

Thank you one and all for your responses! Will take your advice and keep A/C on and look into installing a dehumidistat in the near future.

( fumar, good luck figuring out those yellow spots.)

[bobfl]

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

[iaudit]

Originally Posted by bobfl

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

Are you sure it doesn't look like this:

http://www.honeywell-thermostat.com/...ll/H46C166.htm

The fact is, they are usually not marked on the outside and they look the same.