Do de-humidifiers work in Florida?

Jacki05

We just got back from New Mexico, and we miss the weather SO much!  The temperature was about the same, but it felt so much cooler because it wasn't as humid.  So it got me thinking....would a de-humidifier make the air feel cooler here in Florida?  So we could maybe keep the AC turned down lower?

sumstarles

I want to say that there is something in the AC that de-humidfies the air.  But I could be totally wrong.

Jacki05

I believe that they do.  So I was thinking that maybe instead of turning down the AC at night because we both sleep better when it feels cooler, we could have a small de-humidifier in our bedroom that would allow us to keep the AC at the same temperature all the time.

sumstarles

That might work... You may find your skin getting drier.  You could always test it a week and see.

sumstarles

I found this article online.

http://energyboomer.typepad.com/energyboomer/2008/06/save-money-do-not-run-your-air-conditioner-and-dehumidifier-together.html

It says that it will double your electric bill cause it produces heat thus your AC has to work harder.

prettypiphi

Just run your AC a few degrees lower at night.  We used to live in an old house and the AC didn't work properly, boy was it humid!  It's better to run your AC a bit lower in temp to reduce humidity because the humidity can cause mold to grow in your walls (it happened in the old house and we were always sick with some sort of respiratory illness).

Jacki05

Thanks, ladies, you've been very helpful.  Maybe I'll get one for the winter - I never feel warm during cold weather in Florida, even bundled up!

LayneNP

I am sooo hearing you Jacki!!  We got back from San Fran late Monday night, around midnight and as soon as we got off the plan it was like we walked into a wall of lukewarm water.  Eugh!!

 The weather there was absolutely beautiful.  Clear, crisp.  Highs in the 60's and lows in the 50s overnight.  We spent most days walking the hills (and I mean hills) of San Fran and I barely worked up a sweat.  I know there was humidity because I remember hearing about it on the weather but I swear I didn't feel it.  And the wind was pretty crazy at times but I ended up loving the breeze after a while.  So nice!  I even got some sun on my cheeks and shoulders walking around but I never felt it because it was so nice outside!!

We got back here in the middle of drizzle-week-from-hell.  Welcome home! 
 

LayneNP

Another thing that amazed me:  In our hotel room, they had the thermostat set at 67 when we checked in and I thought they were nuts!!  Sure enough it felt great and the AC barely ran.

 We returned home and our AC is set at 75 degrees (a luxury for us) and the fan was blowing all night long and we were still hot and humid.  Sheesh!