Expert: James Yee - 1/17/2010

Question
There are many answers online about how to maintain humidity but nothing about maintaing proper temperature. I live in Florida and the average temperature in my home is around 80 degrees. This has caused my humidor to to maintain a similar Temp. Other than cranking my AC is there any other way to lower and maintain a 70 degree Temp. in my humidor? Any help would be greatly appreciated, Thank You.

Answer
Hi John,

To lower the temperature in your humidor, you should first try to move your humidor to the coolest room possible in your home.  Avoid placing your humidor in rooms with lots of direct sunlight as this can heat up both your room and your humidor.  Also avoid placing your humidor near major sources of heat such as radiators, heating vents, electrical appliances (ie: TV, Computer) or incandescent/halogen lighting.  If your humidor is placed near a table lamp, use compact fluorescent bulbs in your lamps as they operate at a much cooler temperature than incandescent/halogen bulbs.

During hot summer months, keep your humidor near the center of your home in either the first floor or basement.  Your basement is the best choice since it is generally much cooler than the rest of your home, even in summer.  If you don't have a basement or cellar, a dark closet can also be quite cool during hot summer months.  During colder months of the year, placing your humidor near the exterior walls of your house will help cool the humidor down from the dry heat in your home.  

Use a digital thermometer to measure the temperature of each room (including closets and basement) in your home to determine which room in your home is the coolest room.  Even a 1 or 2 degree drop in temperature will help your humidor.

If these methods do not help, your next best alternative is to upgrade to a thermo-electric humidor (either desktop or cabinet) that allows you to custom set your desired humidor temperature and the humidor's internal cooling unit will automatically maintain that temperature year round.

Hopes this helps!  As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James