Family member bought a retirement home, questions about closing it up during summer (Sunset: house)

[readyfireaim]

As the title says a family member bought a retirement home in the Ft Myers area.

It was built in the mid 90s and is raised up on cement piers (very near the beach) with breakaway walls. Not sure what the design name is but it seems pretty common.

The lower floor was illegally finished, complete with a separate AC system (even though it has openings to the outside every few feet for flood water drainage...). The AC system does not service the garage, which is also finished. My family members will not be using the lower level themselves.

During the summer months, while the home isn't occupied full time, the plan is to set the AC system of the living area to 80 and humidity level to 65%, turn off the water to the house and remotely monitor the temp and humidity of the interior living area.

Is it necessary to run the AC system for the lower level as well? Can it just be turned off?

Is the fact that the lower level finished mean it will trap the heat and humidity more so than if it were just the breakaway walls and garage, to the point where it could cause issues?

Put another way, what do owners of similar style homes but with unfinished lower levels do in this scenario?

[Grace LaTegola]

Give Sunset Air and Home Services a call and get their opinion

[FireStation46]

FP&L also has a blog on many power usage issues

https://www.fplblog.com/

See the “ask an expert” section