When I moved south, I was expecting the high temperatures.
I looked forward to blue skies, sunshine and wearing shorts for the majority of the year.
I was excited to trade my snow shovel, ice scraper and winter boots for sunglasses, sunblock and sandals. I moved from an area where we ran from the furnace for approximately eight straight months to a house that doesn’t include any type of heating system. The temperature rarely cools off enough to shut down the air conditioner and open the windows. One of the biggest problems is the high humidity. I was accustomed to the issues caused by insufficient up north. I now have the opposite concern down south. The excessive moisture makes the air feel hot and sticky. It causes fatigue, headaches and makes it difficult to sleep. There’s concerns with mold, mildew and bacterial growth and wood furnishings tend to warp. I finally asked a local HVAC contractor what to do about it, and he recommended the installation of a whole-house dehumidifier. Having the dehumidifier pull moisture out of the air makes the house feel comfortable at a higher thermostat setting. There’s less work for the air conditioner which means lower monthly energy bills. Hopefully, the reduced strain on the cooling system will lengthen service life and minimize malfunctions. With the humidifier running, I’ve noticed that I sleep better at night and wake up with more energy. I am more productive throughout the day and sneeze and cough less often. It was definitely a necessary investment. I run the dehumidifier whenever I operate the air conditioner.