In a Gulf Coast summer, the air outside a closed house carries a great deal of moisture, and it finds its way in. Without steady air conditioning to pull it out, humidity climbs, and mold does not need long to take hold on drywall, fabric, cabinetry and the backs of closets.
What to aim for
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises that indoor relative humidity should be kept below 60 percent, and ideally between 30 and 50 percent. Agree a summer setting with your air-conditioning provider that holds the house in that range — a setting chosen only for the lowest electric bill can leave the house too damp.
Why switching the air off is a false economy
- Humidity rises quickly in a closed house, and mold can follow
- Wood floors, cabinetry and furniture can swell and warp
- Electronics, art and fabrics suffer in damp air
- A system that has been off all summer is more likely to struggle when you switch it back on
Early signs worth acting on
- A musty smell when the door first opens
- Condensation on windows or air vents
- Spots on walls, ceilings, grout or the backs of closets
- Doors and drawers that start to stick
- A humidity reading that creeps above 60 percent visit after visit
How we keep an eye on it
On every Haven Free away-care visit we take a humidity and temperature reading with a handheld meter, check that the air handler is running and the condensate line is draining, and note any smell or sign of mold. The reading goes into your report, so you can see the trend across the season. If anything starts to drift, you hear from us with a recommended next step, and any repair is done by a licensed air-conditioning firm.
Haven Free keeps homes in Sarasota and Manatee Counties by membership — watched while you are away, cared for while you are here. See the memberships ›