How To Control Humidity In A Vacant Florida Home

If you live in West Central Florida, then you know firsthand just how humid it can get - especially in the summer. If you own a house here, you are probably used to taking steps to prevent that humidity from wreaking havoc on your home. But what happens when your house is vacant for a prolonged period of time?

If your house is empty because you went on a long vacation, you go north for the summer, or because it is a rental property that is currently unoccupied, there are certain things you should do to keep the humidity in check. These precautions include using a dehumidifier and running your central air conditioner to maintain an optimal humidity level. Using remote sensors can give you peace of mind and even let you control the temperature and humidity to prevent any problems (like mold) from arising.

At Eaton Realty, we work with homeowners throughout Hillsborough County to help them buy, sell, and manage their properties. We offer comprehensive real estate services, including helping clients buy, rent, and sell homes. Our team also provides comprehensive property management services, which can reduce the time your rental property is vacant. If you need an experienced Tampa Realtor, reach out today to talk to a member of our team.

Turn Your Vacant Home Into A Passive Income Rental. Speak With A Property Manager › 813-672-8022

Why Is It Important to Control Humidity in Your House?

Humidity is the measure of water vapor in the air. You might notice it when you get out of a hot shower and notice that your bathroom mirror is fogged up - or when you go outside and the air feels almost thick and soupy.

Humidity is rated on a scale of 0 to 100%. When the humidity is 100%, the air cannot hold any more moisture - and it begins to rain.

In the greater Tampa area, humidity is a fact of life. West Central Florida - including Hillsborough County - is considered a humid subtropical environment. According to the Florida Climate Center at Florida State University, the average humidity in Tampa is a steamy 86% in the morning and 58% in the afternoon (when heat from the sun helps to burn off some of that water vapor).

When it comes to weather, humidity is something that you must embrace if you plan to spend any time outdoors in the Tampa region. Yet, getting the right humidity balance inside your home is also incredibly important.

If the humidity is too low, you might experience problems like wood warping and shrinking, as well as health problems like nosebleeds, dry skin, and respiratory problems. Yet, if the humidity is too high, then it might cause mold and musty odors, peeling paint, allergies, structural damage, and more.

What Is An Ideal Humidity Range Inside A Home?

Most experts recommend keeping indoor humidity at a range of 30 to 60%. In a climate where the humidity can approach 90%, taking steps to lower the humidity in your house is required. A failure to do so can harm your home by causing:

• The growth of mold and mildew, which is common in damp areas. If mold grows unchecked in your home, it can destroy building materials such as wood. It can also trigger allergies and cause health problems.
• Damage to paint and wallpaper, which may flake or curl due to excessive moisture.
• Rotting floors and furniture due to too much moisture, causing stains and the growth of mold and mildew.
• Damage to walls and brickwork when water condenses in foundation materials, crawl spaces, and basements. Changing moisture content in plaster, joints, or studs can cause these materials to swell or contract, which may lead to cracks.

Maintaining a consistent level of humidity - within accepted ranges - is important to prevent this and other damage to your house. Of course, it can be hard to keep humidity within this range if you aren’t at your house - whether you’re a snowbird or renting out your house and have an extended period of vacancy. Below, we outline some of the steps that you can take to control humidity in your vacant Florida home.

How to Control Humidity in Your Florida House When It Is Unoccupied

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends a number of steps that you should take to control moisture in your home, including:

• Fixing leaks and seepage, such as water entering the house because the ground slopes towards the foundation;
• Putting plastic covers over dirt in crawl spaces and making sure that any crawl spaces are well-ventilated;
• Using exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture;
• Using dehumidifiers and air conditioners.

When your house is vacant for a while, it can be difficult to control the humidity. After all, you aren’t there to notice issues like water seepage or moisture building up on windows. So what can you do to control humidity in your house in Florida when no one is there?

Set Up Your Dehumidifier

First, you should already have a dehumidifier set up in your house as part of your HVAC system. It should be set no higher than 58% relative humidity to maintain an acceptable level of humidity. This will help pull some of the moisture from the air, which is especially important in the hot, humid summer months when you may be escaping the heat up north.

Keep Central Air Running

Second, even though you aren’t there, you should still run the central air. While it may seem wasteful, the opposite is true - by running your air conditioning, you are removing humidity from the house and reducing the risk of damage from excess moisture.

You don’t have to keep your house cold while it is unoccupied. In fact, keeping it at a higher temperature will work to keep the humidity low without running up your bills. If you have a programmable thermostat, consider running your air conditioner at 72 degrees for 2 hours in the morning - when humidity is at its highest - and otherwise run it at 88 degrees. If you don't have a smart thermostat, then just set your air conditioning to run at 80 degrees while you’re gone.

Upgrade To Remote Technology

Third, consider buying some remote technology to make sure that your house stays at an optimal temperature and humidity. Remote thermostats and humidity sensors - or a humidistat - will allow you to monitor your home’s temperature and humidity and even make adjustments from wherever you are. They can even be set up to send you an alert if the humidity or temperature goes above a certain threshold.

Install A Water Sensor

Along the same lines, you should consider buying a water sensor that will alert you if there is a leak. You can put this device anywhere that may be prone to leaks, like under sinks or by your washing machine. You can also purchase a float switch for your A/C unit’s condensate pan to be alerted to overflows.

Have Your Air Filter Replaced

Before you close up your house, make sure that you have your air conditioner checked and serviced by a professional. You should also change or wash your air conditioner filter. Mold and mildew can grow on the filters, which can then spread through the house when the A/C is in use. Keeping those filters clean can help to reduce that risk.

If your house is a rental property, then you can minimize the amount of time that your house is vacant - and the risks posed by humidity - by working with a Tampa property manager. We list properties year-round (even when they’re occupied) with “available” dates listed so that new tenants can move in shortly after the prior tenants vacate the property. We can also monitor the property for you as part of our comprehensive property management services, addressing necessary repairs and emergencies like leaks.

Put Your Vacant Home To Work As A Rental

If your Hillsborough County home is currently sitting vacant, our property management team can help you turn it into an income-producing asset. We can list your property for rent, help you put a tenant in place, and manage the tenant and the property so that you can enjoy consistent monthly cash flow without the hassle of managing your own rental property.

At Eaton Realty, we offer full-service real estate services, helping both Floridians and snowbirds buy, sell, and manage properties. We are your trusted partners when it comes to Hillsborough County real estate, offering thoughtful advice and the highest level of professionalism and service. If you’d like to learn more, fill out our online contact form or give us a call at 813-672-8022 to talk to a team member.