"Did you notice a big jump in your bill, or was it pretty minor?"
Honestly, I had the same worry when I first got mine. My house is an old Victorian—beautiful, but humidity central. I did notice a slight bump in the electric bill, maybe $10-15 extra per month? Nothing drastic. For me, it was worth every penny to finally stop battling moldy closets and waking up looking like I'd stuck my finger in an electrical socket...
Same here, the bump was pretty minor for me too—maybe around $12 extra a month. Honestly, considering how much I used to spend replacing clothes and shoes ruined by mold, it's a no-brainer. Plus, humidity doesn't just mess with your hair and closets; it can warp wooden furniture and flooring over time. Trust me, I've seen gorgeous hardwood floors buckle because clients didn't manage humidity properly. A little extra on the electric bill definitely beats costly repairs later...
Did you notice a big difference right away with furniture warping after managing humidity? I had a similar issue—my dining table started to bow slightly, and it drove me nuts. After installing a dehumidifier, things stabilized pretty quickly...but I'm still cautious.
"After installing a dehumidifier, things stabilized pretty quickly...but I'm still cautious."
Totally get that cautious feeling—humidity issues can be sneaky. When I first started flipping houses, I underestimated how much humidity could mess with furniture and woodwork. Had a beautiful vintage dresser warp on me once, and it was heartbreaking (and expensive!). After installing a decent dehumidifier, I noticed improvements within a week or two. It wasn't overnight, but definitely noticeable enough to ease my anxiety.
One thing I'd suggest is keeping an eye on humidity levels regularly—especially during seasonal changes. Wood can be temperamental, and even slight fluctuations can cause subtle shifts over time. Also, if you're still worried about your dining table, you might consider applying a protective finish or wax to help seal the wood better.
Glad things are stabilizing for you though... humidity battles are no joke!
I hear you on the dehumidifier helping, but honestly, I'm not totally convinced they're always the best solution—especially for older homes. I've got a historic place myself, and when I first moved in, I went all-in on dehumidifiers. Sure, they helped initially, but over time I realized they were masking deeper issues like poor ventilation and insulation. Have you considered checking your airflow or insulation situation? Sometimes addressing those root causes can make a bigger difference long-term...and save you from running that noisy machine 24/7.
