[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by 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.

As Kate said, a dehumidistat is the way to go. We pay only a few dollars per month for electricity and everything is mold and mildew free.

[handieman]

Originally Posted by 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

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.

[Army Guy]

How much do one of these dehumidstats go for?

Army Guy

[JUREK]

Army Guy:

I just sent you a PM.

[k2at]

When I leave TV for the summer, I put the dehumidistat on 60% humidity. When I am in the home for the winter, I switch it over to full on. Is this the correct procedure?

[JUREK]

This will work only if you installed the dehumidistat in series. Make sure it is NOT installed in parallel as the air will not shut off.. If you turn the dehumidistat at zero and the air is not running when set at 85F then you are probably OK.

[iaudit]

Originally Posted by Army Guy

How much do one of these dehumidstats go for?

Army Guy

If you order it online here:

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

It costs about $60 plus shipping. I tried to get one at Lowes and Home Depot but they do not carry them.

[Army Guy]

Thanks.

Army Guy

[JUREK]

Bought mine from ACE hardware off 466 about one year ago.
I believe I paid about $30.

[Barefoot]

I searched all over TV for a dehumidistat and couldn't find one, even at Ace Hardware. I finally got my air conditioning company (Munns) to install one when they were doing yearly maintenance. (Fireboy said he could have easily installed it, but we ran out of time).

Having Handie find one and install one would probably be much more cost effective.