While August might bring a summer vacation for you and your family, it also typically features the brutal energy-sapping tag team of high heat and brutal humidity.

Air conditioners can help to keep your home cool and dry, but household humidity can still flourish in a damp basement or crawl space. That’s where dehumidifiers come in handy. These appliances will not only enhance your comfort by keeping humidity in check but also prevent a host of problems.

A household relative humidity above 50 percent can, for instance, breed mildew, dust mites, and mold that exacerbate allergies and asthma. Mold and mildew thrive on and discolor cloth or wood furniture and grow on clothes, books, and other items.

You want the humidity level in your house to be less than 60 percent year-round, not just in summer. During the fall, when you’re likely not using your air-conditioning as frequently, if at all, dampness can spread. And even during the drier winter season, water vapor can enter your home if the foundation is in contact with wet soil. So run your dehumidifier whenever moisture levels are elevated.

Use our free buying advice to find the best dehumidifier for your home. And follow these usage tips:
• Place the dehumidifier at least 12 inches from walls or furniture. Top-venting units can go along walls. Remember, moisture levels can be elevated anywhere throughout your house, so check the relative humidity in other areas, too. Use a dehumidifier as needed.

• Close any doors and windows to the room where the dehumidifier is running.

• Empty and clean the dehumidifier bucket regularly to prevent dust and mildew from accumulating. Regularly clean the coils and, if your unit has one, the filter to keep your unit running smoothly.—Helen A.S. Popkin

Essential information: Read “How to keep your cool” for tips on decreasing how much you run your air conditioner. And use the advice in “Cool runnings” to learn how to maintain your A/C and lower your utility bill.