Dehumidifier makes a big difference
Once I moved south, I figured out very quickly that the humidity is more of a concern than the heat.
At first, I thought that running the air conditioner would be enough to provide comfort.
I kept lowering the thermostat setting. The house felt freezing cold and yet still clammy. There was condensate running down the windows and issues with mold growth. My leather boots and purses were overrun with mildew. I was worried about damage to my hardwood floors due to the excessive moisture. I tried portable dehumidifiers and got frustrated. These tabletop versions required constant emptying of the reservoir and didn’t make much of an impact. I finally got in touch with a licensed HVAC contractor and asked about whole-house dehumidification. He explained various models that install right into the ductwork and pull moisture from the air as it passes through. Modern dehumidifiers make very little noise, use minimal amounts of energy and require only annual upkeep. Purchasing and installing the dehumidifier was not overly expensive compared to the many benefits. My home now feels cool and comfortable at a significantly higher thermostat setting. This has greatly reduced the workload of the air conditioner. Less wear and tear should translate into fewer repairs and longer service life. I am also saving quite a bit of money on my energy bills. I don’t need to clean as often and the house even smells better. I have much more confidence in the hygiene and health of the indoor air quality. Living in my local area, every homeowner should have a whole-house dehumidifier installed.