Why windows sweat
Condensation forms when humid air touches a surface that's cooler than it. In a Naples house that is often a window or a slider chilled by the AC on a muggy day.
The EPA advises cutting condensation on cold surfaces like windows and pipes, by insulating them or lowering the humidity. Wipe it up, and if it keeps coming back, look at the humidity.
The number to watch
The EPA suggests keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50. An inexpensive humidity gauge shows where your house sits.
If it reads high most of the time, the AC may need service, or the fan may be set to run without cooling.
The AC drain line
As it cools, an AC system pulls water out of the air and carries it away through a condensate line. The EPA advises keeping drip pans clean and drain lines flowing.
A blocked line can back up into the closet, the ceiling or the floor around the air handler, which is a common place for mold to start.
Homes that sit closed
Many Naples-area homes are empty for part of the year, and summer is the wet season. Switching the AC off while you're away lets the humidity climb in a closed house.
Leave it running at a sensible setting, and have someone check after heavy rain or a storm. Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.
Mold in a Naples-area home?
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