Humidity is one of the main enemies in hotel operations and vacation rental properties. In warm and humid climates, it is common for rooms to accumulate moisture, leading to unpleasant odors, damp bedding, mold, and furniture damage.
Replacing your air conditioning units with dehumidifier systems is not always feasible, and the truth is that with proper practices you can significantly reduce humidity levels without making major investments.
Here are 10 simple and effective actions to lower humidity in your rooms and common areas without the need to replace your equipment.
1. Activate the “Dry” mode on your air conditioners
This feature helps reduce humidity without excessively cooling the room. It is ideal to use at night or in rooms that will be temporarily unoccupied.
2. Properly ventilate after cleaning
After cleaning a room or bathroom, open doors or windows for a few minutes to let accumulated humidity dissipate.
3. Avoid drying towels or clothes inside rooms
Drying textiles indoors significantly increases humidity levels. Encourage the use of designated drying areas or promote daily towel replacement.
4. Do not completely turn off the A/C in unoccupied rooms
Turning it off for several days promotes humidity build-up. Instead, keep it running at a moderate temperature (26–28 °C / 78–82 °F) if the property is located in a very humid area.
5. Regularly check and clean air conditioner filters
Dirty filters reduce the A/C’s efficiency in dehumidifying. Establish a maintenance routine, especially during high occupancy seasons.
6. Properly seal windows and doors
Poor sealing allows constant entry of humid air. Check seals, weatherstripping, and frames to prevent leaks.
7. Use portable dehumidifiers in critical areas
If there are rooms that are especially humid, complement with small portable dehumidifiers during peak season.
8. Avoid placing furniture against cold walls
Furniture placed against exterior walls may cause condensation. Leave at least a 5 cm (2 in) gap to allow proper air circulation.
9. Use light and washable curtains
Thick fabrics retain moisture and dry slowly. Choose lightweight textiles that promote better ventilation.
10. Frequently ventilate closets and drawers
Open closet and drawer doors at least once a week to prevent moisture accumulation and unpleasant odors.
Automate humidity control using your air conditioner and smart technology (without replacing your equipment)
In hotels and vacation rental properties, air conditioning is present in almost every room. What many don’t realize is that, besides cooling, a mini-split can also be a key tool for humidity control.
The key is to automate its use with smart devices like Cuby, which allow you to activate Dry mode automatically, adjust the temperature based on occupancy, and maintain optimal humidity levels even when no guests are present.
For example:
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If a room is empty, you can keep the A/C running at 26 °C in Dry mode, preventing mold growth and bad odors without overspending.
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When the system detects presence, the A/C can hand over full control to the guest.
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If the guest leaves the room with the A/C set to 18 °C, the system can turn it off or raise the setpoint—without staff intervention.
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In coastal areas or during humid seasons, you can schedule Dry mode to activate automatically at night, when humidity levels rise and energy consumption is lower.
All of this can be monitored and controlled from a centralized dashboard, room by room, without depending on the guest or the cleaning staff.
Conclusion
Controlling humidity in hotels and vacation rental properties doesn’t have to mean large investments or major infrastructure changes. With proper operational practices and by making the most of your air conditioning, you can significantly reduce the negative effects of humidity on furniture, bedding, and guest comfort.
And if you combine this with smart technology such as presence sensors and setpoint automation it becomes possible to keep humidity under control even when rooms are unoccupied, while also optimizing energy consumption and protecting each room proactively.
Best of all: you can achieve this without replacing your existing equipment.
