Do I Need A Whole-House Dehumidifier In My Florida Home?

Humidity is a fact of life in Florida. Throughout the warmer parts of the year, when you step outside, you might immediately notice that the air seems almost thick with moisture. This same humidity that can make being outside uncomfortable can also wreak havoc in your home.

High humidity can cause a host of problems in a house, including mold, mildew, pests, water damage, and sticky doors and windows. If you are noticing certain signs of high humidity in your home—like mold or condensation on windows—then it may be time to invest in a whole-home dehumidifier. Not only will this machine make your home more comfortable, but it can also make your central air run more efficiently.

Eaton Realty is a full-service real estate company located in Lithia, Florida. We help buyers, sellers, renters, and landlords in Hillsborough County with all their real estate needs, whether you are looking to buy a new house, sell your current house, manage an investment property, or find a house to rent. Contact our real estate team today if you want to buy or sell a house in the greater Tampa region.

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What Is a Whole-House Dehumidifier?

A dehumidifier is a type of air conditioner that reduces and maintains the level of humidity in the air. Instead of making a building cool, a dehumidifier's goal is to maintain a consistent level of humidity or moisture in the air. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the ideal indoor relative humidity (RH) should be between 30 and 50%.

Dehumidifiers work by extracting water from the air as it passes through the unit. There are two common types of dehumidifiers: desiccant dehumidifiers and condensate dehumidifiers. Desiccant dehumidifiers (or absorption dehumidifiers) bond moisture with materials like silica gel. Condensate dehumidifiers use a refrigeration cycle to collect condensate water and are the most common type of dehumidifier.

A dehumidifier can help in a number of ways, including by reducing:

• The likelihood of mold and mildew developing
• Pests that thrive in damp conditions, such as fleas, cockroaches, clothing moths, silverfish, dust mites, woodlice, and millipedes
• Warping and sticking of wooden doors and furniture
• Excessive perspiration that cannot evaporate into humid air
• Condensation dripping from cold water pipes

Traditionally, many people had a dehumidifier unit in certain rooms to reduce humidity. Today, whole-house dehumidifiers can be installed and connected to the home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Because these dehumidifiers connect to the HVAC system, they can remove moisture throughout the house - not just one room. While they are pricier than single-unit dehumidifiers, they are quiet and can reduce cooling costs during warmer weather.

Is It a Good Idea to Install a Whole-House Dehumidifier for My Florida Home?

West Central Florida has a humid, subtropical climate. Depending on the time of year, Tampa’s relative humidity level ranges from a low of 58% to a high of 86%. These numbers are well above the EPA-recommended 30 to 50% RH to minimize the growth of mold and mildew. As a result, many Florida homes can benefit from a dehumidifier. A whole-house dehumidifier is often the best way to ensure that your entire home remains at an optimal humidity level.

There are several signs that you may need to install a whole-house humidifier. This includes:

• Condensation on windows and doors: if you notice water droplets appearing on the insides of your windows and doors, it is likely a sign that there is too much moisture in the air. When humid air comes into contact with cold glass, condensation forms. While this is common in colder weather, if you notice window condensation during warmer months, it is usually a sign of a humidity issue in the home.
• A musty odor in your home: soft surfaces like carpets, clothing, and books will absorb moisture from the air, which may result in the growth of mildew. The telltale sign of mildew is a musty odor. Reducing humidity in the home can often help with this problem.
• Signs of mold: mold tends to grow in damp, dark environments. If you see dark green or black stains on your walls, it may be a sign of mold. Addressing the issue is critical, as mold isn’t just unsightly - it can trigger allergies and may cause respiratory issues and other health problems.
• Water stains: if you see dark spots on the walls and ceilings or notice peeling paint and wallpaper, it may indicate a moisture issue. This could be from a roof leak, issues with water pipes, or high humidity in the house.
• Creaky doors, cabinets, windows, and/or floors: while some creaking from wooden doors, cabinets, and windows is normal, if these objects are creaking a lot, seem warped, or are “sticky,” then it is likely a sign that they have absorbed too much water.
• Pest problems: as mentioned above, some types of bugs - like cockroaches - thrive in damp environments. If you start to notice a lot of pests in your home, then it may be a sign that your humidity levels are too high.

Importantly, many of these issues may also be signs that there is a problem with your air conditioning (A/C) unit. Central air is essential in Florida. These systems not only cool the air but remove humidity from the air.

How To Check Your A/C Unite

Before you invest in a whole-home dehumidifier, it is a good idea to check out your A/C to make sure that it isn’t the problem.

First, make sure that your thermostat fan setting is set to “AUTO” instead of “ON.” If your thermostat is set to “ON,” the blower will run constantly - which means that the water collected while the A/C was running will evaporate back into the air, adding humidity. The “AUTO” setting will shut off the blower between cooling cycles, which allows water to collect on the coils, drip off, and drain (which dehumidifies your house).

Second, make sure that your air conditioning unit is well-maintained and is still removing moisture. Over time, A/C units become less efficient at dehumidifying. This process is sped up by a failure to properly maintain your unit. If your machine is older and/or you haven’t kept up on maintenance, call an HVAC specialist to check it out before buying a whole-house dehumidifier.

Third, check your A/C unit for signs that it may be low on refrigerant, the liquid that absorbs heat and moisture from the air inside your home. Signs of low refrigerant include ice on the refrigerant lines, a frozen evaporator coil, and feeling warm air coming from the vents when the A/C is on.

Fourth, make sure that your A/C unit isn’t too big for your house. When putting in central air, you may be tempted to go with a bigger unit to cool your house more quickly- especially in Florida! But a quick cooling cycle doesn’t give the air conditioner enough time to dehumidify your home. If your cooling cycles are 10 minutes or shorter, it may be a sign that your air conditioner is simply too big for your house.

If your A/C unit looks good but you still have humidity problems, it may be a good idea to install a whole-house dehumidifier. These units can cost $1,000 to $2,000 and require professional installation, so they are an investment. That said, this machine will help your air conditioner run more efficiently, reducing your cooling costs. It can also prevent expensive and challenging problems in your house, like mold, mildew, pests, and water damage.

Looking To Sell Your Florida Home?

While the installation of a whole-house dehumidifier may be an expense that you don’t want to undertake, having a dehumidifier can improve your air quality, reduce the likelihood of issues with mold, mildew, and pests, and even slash your air conditioning bills. Installing a dehumidifier can help you preserve the value and marketability of your home so that you can sell it for top dollar when you’re ready to sell.

Eaton Realty represents both buyers and sellers in real estate transitions throughout Hillsborough County, Florida. Our founder, Craig Eaton, isn’t just a real estate agent—he is a former home builder with expertise in issues like how humidity can affect your home. We can use our experience and education in real estate and home construction to help you make informed decisions about selling a house in the Tampa area.

We are here to help you sell a house in Hillsborough County. Learn more by filling out our online contact form or calling 813-672-8022 to speak to a realtor.