Water Wednesday Recap: Understanding Florida Homes

Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Fatimah Sbeitan

Florida’s heat and humidity can be challenging, especially for homeowners who are new to the state. During our July Water Wednesday webinar, Understanding Florida Homes: Humidity, Mold, and Energy Use, Lisa Hamilton, UF/IFAS Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Volusia County and Associate Program Leader for Housing Education, shared practical, research-based tips to help homeowners improve comfort, reduce energy costs, and protect their homes from moisture-related problems.

Your air conditioner is also a dehumidifier

In Florida, air conditioners do more than cool the home. They also remove moisture from the air. As warm, humid air passes over the evaporator coils, moisture condenses and drains away before cooler, drier air is circulated back into the home. A properly sized and well maintained HVAC system plays an important role in controlling indoor humidity and maintaining indoor comfort.

Indoor relative humidity should generally remain around 55% or lower. Higher humidity can make a home feel uncomfortable, reduce indoor air quality, encourage mold growth, and even damage furniture and building materials over time. Homeowners can monitor indoor humidity using an inexpensive hygrometer or a thermostat with a built-in humidity sensor.

Simple practices that help reduce indoor humidity include:

Schedule regular HVAC maintenance
Run bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans during and after showering or cooking
Keep condensate drain lines clean
Seal air leaks around doors and windows
Use portable dehumidifiers in damp areas when needed

Prevent mold by controlling moisture

Florida’s climate creates ideal conditions for mold growth, but mold can usually be prevented by controlling moisture. Mold requires three things to grow: moisture, a food source such as drywall or dust, and warm temperatures. Eliminating excess moisture is the most effective way to reduce mold problems.

Promptly repairing leaks, reducing indoor humidity, increasing airflow, and regularly cleaning moisture-prone areas can all help prevent mold from becoming established. Running exhaust fans after showers and improving air circulation with ceiling or portable fans are simple ways to reduce moisture buildup.

Small areas of household mold can often be cleaned using diluted vinegar or diluted hydrogen peroxide. After cleaning, used paper towels or cloths should be sealed in a bag before disposal to avoid spreading mold spores. The affected area should then be kept dry to discourage future growth.

Large mold infestations, persistent musty odors, suspected mold behind walls, or mold associated with health concerns should be evaluated by a qualified professional.

Small changes can improve energy efficiency

Cooling typically accounts for the largest share of a Florida home’s energy bill. Many low-cost or no-cost practices can improve energy efficiency without reducing comfort.

Simple practices include: review electric utility’s online energy dashboard, inspect homes for air leaks, replace HVAC filters regularly, and consider programmable or smart thermostats. Raising the thermostat a few degrees while maintaining comfort can also reduce cooling costs. Ceiling fans and portable fans help people feel cooler by increasing air movement, allowing the thermostat to be set slightly higher while maintaining comfort.

Another often overlooked source of electricity use is “vampire energy”, the power consumed by electronics even when they appear to be turned off. Devices such as televisions, gaming consoles, printers, chargers, and office equipment can continue drawing electricity in standby mode. Turning off power strips or using smart power strips can help reduce unnecessary energy consumption.

Conserving water also saves energy

The webinar also highlighted several simple ways homeowners can conserve water while reducing energy use.

One example is “wait water,” the water that runs down the drain while waiting for hot water to reach a faucet or shower. Depending on the home’s plumbing layout and household habits, this can waste thousands of gallons of water each year. Reducing unnecessary waiting time, collecting cold water for other uses, or installing hot water recirculation systems are all potential ways to reduce this waste.

Participants also learned how to check for silent toilet leaks using a few drops of food coloring placed in the toilet tank. If color appears in the bowl without flushing, a leaking flapper valve may be wasting water without being noticed. This simple annual check can help prevent unnecessary water loss.

Water heaters are typically the second largest energy user in many homes. Lowering the water heater temperature to 120°F, insulating the tank and nearby hot water pipes, reducing hot water use when possible, and following manufacturer recommendations for maintenance can all improve efficiency and reduce energy costs.

Practical steps for Florida homeowners

Several simple maintenance practices can improve comfort, reduce utility bills, and help protect Florida homes from moisture damage:

Monitor indoor humidity levels
Maintain your HVAC system and clean condensate drain lines
Use exhaust fans and improve indoor airflow
Repair leaks as soon as they are discovered
Check for air leaks around windows and doors
Reduce standby (“vampire”) energy by turning off power strips
Test toilets annually for silent leaks
Maintain your water heater and use hot water efficiently

Highlights from Q&A

What about mold on wood furniture? Nothing seems to work.

More information is needed to determine the cause and appropriate solution. Mold on wood furniture can vary depending on whether it is growing on finished or unfinished wood, within the wood grain, or on upholstered components. If mold persists after cleaning, or if the source of moisture cannot be identified, it is recommended to consult a qualified professional. Participants with similar situations were encouraged to follow up with additional details after the webinar.

Does raising the air conditioner temperature increase indoor humidity?

A properly functioning air conditioning system should continue to control indoor humidity even when the thermostat is set around 78°F. Research-based recommendations generally suggest setting the thermostat to 78°F when home and 82°F when away to balance comfort and energy savings. However, every home is different. Factors such as insulation, window area, home design, and HVAC system performance all influence indoor comfort and humidity levels.

Do I need to turn off the power strip to reduce “vampire energy,” or is plugging devices into a power strip enough?

Simply plugging electronics into a power strip does not eliminate standby power use if the strip remains on. To reduce “vampire energy,” switch the power strip off when the connected devices are not in use. Many newer power strips include surge protection and separate always-on outlets for devices that require continuous power, while allowing other outlets to be turned off. Smart and timer-controlled power strips are also available to help manage standby electricity use automatically.

Additional Resources

Watch the recording

If you missed the webinar or would like to watch it again, you can watch the full recording here.

Understanding Florida Homes: Humidity, Mold, and Energy Use

Join Us for the Next Webinar: Summer Lawn and Irrigation Care

Next Water Wednesday webinar on August 19, when we will discuss Summer Lawn and Irrigation Care: Managing Water Use and Lawn Stress. Register via Zoom.

Whether you are new to Florida or have lived here for years, this webinar will provide a helpful overview of how Florida’s water resources work. More information please visit UF/IFAS Extension Water Resources Program.