Living in the south, air conditioning is necessary but not enough.
Although centralized cooling systems have significantly improved in design over the years, they can’t handle excess humidity.
An air conditioner works by pulling heat out of the indoor air and using refrigerant to transport it outdoors. In the area where I live, the high humidity levels are a big concern. When the temperature soars into the nineties, the excessive amount of moisture in the air makes it feel hotter and very sticky. Even with the air conditioner running, I had issues with condensation running down the window panes. I was constantly battling mold and mildew growth and worrying about air quality threats. Lowering the thermostat setting just put more strain on the air conditioner, over-cooled the air and led to higher utility bills. It didn’t solve the actual problem of too much moisture. When I started to notice damage to my hardwood floors and antique furnishings, I knew it was time to take proactive measures. I looked into the different makes, models and styles of dehumidifiers. This type of indoor air quality accessory isn’t overly expensive and installs into the existing air conditioner. It extracts moisture out of the air as it passes through the system. I now have the ability to adjust relative humidity levels in the home to my preference. I’ve been able to raise the thermostat setting by several degrees and yet every room feels cooler and more comfortable. The savings on the monthly energy bills has quickly recovered the initial investment. I should have had a dehumidifier installed years ago.