We live 3/4 of a mile from Lake Michigan, and like they say, "cooler by the lake" is true. We rarely use the AC unless temps get close to 90 or it is very humid. The house is 2500 sq ft, 2 story with a full basement. Since there are no egress windows, the basement, with about about 1200 sq ft is not finished and not considered part of the 2500 living space. With the windows open and ceiling fans in most of the rooms, and shade trees and prevailing lake breeze, the house stays relatively comfortable.

The basement is always cooler but it is damp and smells musty. There are two normal size hopper windows on one side of the house and I installed two vents on the the other side by cutting 8" x 14" holes in the rim joist. Vents are screened and one holes has a variable speed fan. It is a constant duty fan and runs all the time.

The vent idea to was to keep air moving, but it's still damp in the basement. About 1/5 of the basement is a partitioned off and is paneled / insulated on outside concrete walls. This is my office. The rest of the basement is unfinished concrete walls and floors used for storage, laundry and a workshop area. Doors on two sides of the office and door at top of stairs to upper level are usually open except in winter when the heat is on. (there is a heat vent and return in office)

Humid air from the outside comes in both house and basement windows. Heavier humid air finds it way to the lower level. I don't want to run a dehumidifier in the basement because it uses a lot of electricity and with all windows open it would be a waste trying to dehumidify the entire township.

There are tiny cracks in the floor caused about 8 yrs ago, during an especially rainy period and high water table. I had about 1" of water which ran to a sump pump hole in the shop. It is not connected to a tile system and used simply to drain a shop sink for washing hands, etc. The pump discharges far away from the house. (Grade slopes away from house on all sides). Except for that one incident, floor has never been wet in 34 years since it was built. Because of flooding, which was worse in some areas, the township installed a drain system which has lowered the water table

An old refrigerator for pop and extra food is also in the office area. Constant dampness caused the refrigerator door panel to show rust, which I painted for a better visual. I keep printer paper wrapped to inhibit getting damp, curling. Envelops are in plastic bag so the glue flap doesn't stick them closed. Computer / printer are always turned on to keep humidity from damaging electronics.

The house is 33 years old and dampness is not new. Does the air flow through the basement windows / vents help reduce moisture in the air or add to it?

Any other suggestions, other than move to Arizona?