When I moved to St.
Petersburg, Florida, a few years ago, I was prepared for the heat.
One of the reasons I chose a city on the Gulf Coast was for the warm weather. The city enjoyes more than three hundred sunny days per year. While there are frequent rainstorms, they are quick and help to keep the plants and trees healthy and lush. As I toured houses for sale, I made sure to check the age of the central cooling unit. I knew air conditioning would have a major impact on my comfort and budget. I didn’t want to face the expense of purchasing a brand new central air conditioner immediately after unpacking. Unfortunately, I failed to recognize the unique challenges caused by excess humidity. In St. Petersburg, the high moisture levels cause some problems. The air in my new home felt slightly sticky at all times. There were issues with condensate running down the window panes and potentially discoloring or rotting the sills. I was worried about the hardwood floors warping and damage to antique furniture. I found mildew on several of my leather purses and dealt with signs of mold growth. Everything from bacteria and viruses to cockroaches and dust mites thrive in moist environments. Lowering the thermostat did nothing but overcool the air and increase my electric bills. Plus, the added workload wasn’t good for the air conditioner. I realized that I needed to tackle the source of the problem. I contacted a local HVAC contractor in St. Petersburg and got an estimate in the installation of a whole-home dehumidifier. The dehumidifier has made a huge improvement.