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We're just over the mountain from you as I write this.
The problem with leaving the windows open when you're comfortable is more of an allergy issue. I am very allergic to certain trees, and we see wild Mimosa trees all over these mountains. They wear me out.
If you have no such allergy issues, go for leaving the windows open. And if the 70% humidity gets to bothering you, close the windows and cut on the A/C.
When I was in Florida, my trustworthy HVAC people told me that 78 degrees is the sweet spot for not getting mold. Anything higher, and there might be trouble. Just fyi. I didn't have a dehumidifier there. And, of course, windows were closed most of the LONG summer...but not always.
Now, I'm at 2100 ft in WNC, and use fans, windows, blinds and curtains to my advantage and so far (9 months in new house), have only used my AC one day just recently. That may change as the summer progresses. I do have a dehumidifier in my enclosed crawlspace. (Admittedly still on a learning curve with it). Plus, trees shade my roof, which helps. For 2 years prior, again, in WNC, I was at the same elevation (no trees though, and my orientation was such that direct sunlight was only had in early mornings and before dusk), and used the same techniques to cool and heat (in winter, closed windows, open curtains for sun). I've never had any problems with mold, mostly I guess, because I keep windows open and fresh air blowing. Of course, there's the added benefit of getting the Duke Power assessment showing me below usage of the most efficient of my neighbors. lol. But that comes after a year of residency, so I've yet to receive the comparison at my new home.
We just stayed in an AirBnb in Foscoe (about 3200 ft) for 3 weeks this summer. The 3 BR cabin/house was built in the 1960s (according to Zillow)... had window AC units, but the place smelled moldy.
I'm in my mid 40s now but went to ASU in the mid 1990s and recall how everyone's apartments smelled musty due to no HVAC. Everyone had baseboard heaters and no AC. If I live up there now, no central AC would be a deal breaker.
On a side note, I don't recall seeing fire flies at night when I went to ASU in the 90s... but they were out in force when we were up their this summer. Is this new?
We just stayed in an AirBnb in Foscoe (about 3200 ft) for 3 weeks this summer. The 3 BR cabin/house was built in the 1960s (according to Zillow)... had window AC units, but the place smelled moldy.
I'm in my mid 40s now but went to ASU in the mid 1990s and recall how everyone's apartments smelled musty due to no HVAC. Everyone had baseboard heaters and no AC. If I live up there now, no central AC would be a deal breaker.
On a side note, I don't recall seeing fire flies at night when I went to ASU in the 90s... but they were out in force when we were up their this summer. Is this new?
The key to avoiding mold or mildew is air circulation and lowering the humidity level inside the house. Even without central A/C, if you use ceiling fans and use a dehumidifier regularly, you can avoid most problems. But I do agree, if buying a house, it's preferable to have central A/C... maybe not as important up on Beech Mtn, but helpful in most other locations in the High Country.
My parents built a summer home in Blowing Rock in the 1960's with no A/C. Weather has changed a lot in 50+ years.
We just stayed in an AirBnb in Foscoe (about 3200 ft) for 3 weeks this summer. The 3 BR cabin/house was built in the 1960s (according to Zillow)... had window AC units, but the place smelled moldy.
I'm in my mid 40s now but went to ASU in the mid 1990s and recall how everyone's apartments smelled musty due to no HVAC. Everyone had baseboard heaters and no AC. If I live up there now, no central AC would be a deal breaker.
On a side note, I don't recall seeing fire flies at night when I went to ASU in the 90s... but they were out in force when we were up their this summer. Is this new?
I'm guessing the BnB was closed up for a while, thus, moldy/musty smelling. I too probably wouldn't buy without central AC, mostly because I would be thinking of resale (everyone wants it), and I wouldn't want to route all the ducts. But personally, I don't think I need it.
I talked our 'group' into a heat pump/AC system fourteen years ago for our Highlands house(when the yucky oil-burning furnace died after 30 years or so).
"Oh, don't be silly...you don't need AC up here!!!" was the common refrain. Well, aside from the humidity(Highlands is in a rain forest, y'all), it was 95 degrees for 3 days in one week not too long after we got the central air!!! Been plenty of days in the humid 80s, when having the AC run for a couple of hours a day could make all the difference.
Yes, there are nice days/nights when the windows could be left open; but there have been PLENTY of days when the AC was a lovely addition to the house!!! It also smells better, IMO, especially after the very damp stretches. Running a de-humidifier(putting out heat) when it's already in the 80s is not my idea of a good time
At the very, very least, I would have a portable unit or two to keep the house comfy for sleeping AND to de-humidify at least part of the house.
Those lucky enough to live in North Carolina's High Country might also take comfort in knowing that fresh mountain air blowing through open windows is considerably safer than most air conditioning, when it comes to Covid-19.
When I was in Florida, my trustworthy HVAC people told me that 78 degrees is the sweet spot for not getting mold. Anything higher, and there might be trouble. Just fyi. I didn't have a dehumidifier there. And, of course, windows were closed most of the LONG summer...but not always.
Now, I'm at 2100 ft in WNC, and use fans, windows, blinds and curtains to my advantage and so far (9 months in new house), have only used my AC one day just recently. That may change as the summer progresses. I do have a dehumidifier in my enclosed crawlspace. (Admittedly still on a learning curve with it). Plus, trees shade my roof, which helps. For 2 years prior, again, in WNC, I was at the same elevation (no trees though, and my orientation was such that direct sunlight was only had in early mornings and before dusk), and used the same techniques to cool and heat (in winter, closed windows, open curtains for sun). I've never had any problems with mold, mostly I guess, because I keep windows open and fresh air blowing. Of course, there's the added benefit of getting the Duke Power assessment showing me below usage of the most efficient of my neighbors. lol. But that comes after a year of residency, so I've yet to receive the comparison at my new home.
crusinsusan good to know. I'm fairly new to NC homeownership and was told by a contractor here that my crawlspace could use a dehumidifier. I guess I would need an electrical outlet? And a drainpipe?
crusinsusan good to know. I'm fairly new to NC homeownership and was told by a contractor here that my crawlspace could use a dehumidifier. I guess I would need an electrical outlet? And a drainpipe?
Yes, you'd need an outlet, which should be fairly cheap...not much more than $100 + parts. I don't know if your crawlspace is enclosed?....but if not, I don't think a dehumidifier will help much...after all, it'll draw outside/ground moisture and might never do the job. Perhaps you know this, but others may not, so I'm just saying. Other's may weigh in with opposite opinions on that, but logically it doesn't make sense to me to dehumidify without encasing. I'm willing to listen to opposing opinions, but it doesn't matter to me, as my crawlspace is enclosed.
Also, really if you've got the electricians there, you might as well install lights too - they've been a great help to me, but I do have a tall enough space that I can put bikes, etc in there. A switch by the entrance and you can flip it to see everything (including bugs! and then to kill them...lol) if you put in enough lights. My 1200 sq ft single story has 6 lights in the crawlspace...it's great!
I most assuredly recommend a drain pipe, as I've heard of others that have to go into their crawlspace to empty the bucket on a daily basis....which is a pain. But a pipe can be a tricky business - so plan the route of it. To wit: at my house the previous owner (now deceased, so I have no one to question) had it put in and it is attached to the handler (as it should be). And although the handler is up on blocks, it's still not high enough, so that the dehumidifier pump works harder to move water uphill, as the ground is above both. I hope that's clear. (FYI: the dehumidifier is at the same height as the handler drain pipe, so they are level, but the drain pipe from the dehumidifier runs uphill...not far, but just enough to annoy frugal me )
Anyway, assess the level of your handler...put the dehumidifier at the same level, and hopefully the drain pipe can also be at the same level and go through the bottom of the house and still clear ground. (I also added a flexible plastic drain outside to clear the outside unit, as the original drain funneled the water right to the pad of the AC unit ...which made the pad all mossy and I'm sure, over time, would have created a problem.)
If I ever replace the handler, I'll put it higher in the crawlspace to keep the pump from working so hard.
It's not hard...just a bit of thought and planning and you're set. I always try to figure everything out before calling a so-called "pro" so I know who is being straight with me and who should just get off my property! lol So, do figure it all out first, then be quiet as you listen to see if the "pro" is a pro, or a dude. lol
Oh...lastly, you do know that crawlspace dehumidifiers are much different, and more expensive, than other dehumidifiers for inside houses, I hope. Don't skimp and get some cheap, inside one. Search specifically for "crawlspace dehumidifier". They're bigger monsters, and rightfully so. It must suck to have to crawl in their to repeatedly repair a cheapo thing.
PS: Of course, I'm assuming your handler is in the crawlspace. It may not be, and then you'd have less of a headache to deal with.
Last edited by crusinsusan; 07-12-2020 at 09:14 PM..
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...which made the pad all mossy and I'm sure, over time, would have created a problem.)
