Does your home have molds issues? Do you frequently suffer from stale or musty air problems? Your home could be suffering from high humidity levels. Since you can’t do anything with what Mother Nature throws at you, you can turn to dehumidifiers instead to rectify the problem.
But just like all other household appliances, dehumidifiers can malfunction and stop working as well. When that happens, you would want to know what the possible reason is and perhaps troubleshoot it yourself before calling a professional for help.
So why is your dehumidifier not working? These are the most likely problems that can happen to your dehumidifier:
Problem #1: It isn’t running even if the indicator light is turned on.
Dehumidifiers generate a low decibel sound when they are working. If you can’t hear anything but you can see the indicator light turned on, chances are, it isn’t working. What you would want to do is check the tank first. If the water has reached the maximum level, the unit might have automatically shut it off to prevent the tank from overflowing. Modern dehumidifiers today have this safety feature. If the tank isn’t full yet, you can check the automatic switch. It might not have reverted to its original position.
Problem #2: It has a high head pressure.
If you have been using your dehumidifier for a while not but you encountered this problem, the most likely cause of this is a worn-out blower belt. You might have to open up the dehumidifier to completely replace the belt. If it has only loosened, the best thing you can do is just to retighten it, so that the right tension is used.
You would also want to check the diffusers. These are usually found on your unit’s registers. If there are obstructions such as collected dirt, it could cause the dampers of the unit to close off. You need to replace the dehumidifiers return air filter. The manual of the product will let you know how to do this.
Problem #3: Frost is building up on the coils.
Frost is a common problem with dehumidifiers that are used in the winter season. The moisture it draws from the air could turn into frost if the temperature is cold enough. There are dehumidifiers that have a built-in protection from frost but if yours did not come with it, you would want to manually defrost your unit.
To do this, turn off your dehumidifier first. That will help warm up the room so that the coils that have frosted will thaw out. You can also put a space heater in the room to help the dehumidifier thaw out even more. Once it has thawed out, you can use it again. If this problem keeps on coming back, you might want to move the humidifier to a different location. Put it somewhere higher as hot air tends to rise.
Problem #4: The water reservoir fills up rapidly.
Dehumidifiers are designed to respond to your specific needs. The more moisture there is in the air, the faster the dehumidifier will work in removing them. That means the water reservoir will fill up faster. Many dehumidifiers have the option of hooking it up to a hose. You can attach a hose and draw the collected moisture to a drain. This way, it will work continuously without you having to empty out the water tank all the time.
Problem #5: It is having trouble reaching the set humidity level.
Dehumidifiers have an option where you can set your preferred humidity. That will, it will not over humidify the room. This is good because you still need to have a good amount of humidity in the air in order to avoid dry skin and dry throat. It will keep the air moisturized.
If this feature isn’t working, it is most likely caused by a broken compressor. In this case, you will have to call a technician to have the problem fixed.
How to Avoid Dehumidifier Problems
You can prolong the life of your dehumidifier and make sure it is working properly. Here are the things you can do:
Make Adjustments to the Humidistat
With this, you can prevent your dehumidifier from working too much even when it is not needed. The thermostat will allow you to program your preferred humidity levels.
Clean or Replace the Filters Frequently
The filters can get dirty over time. Because of the excess moisture in this appliance, the filter can also end up becoming moldy. You need to frequently replace the filters or clean them if they are reusable so that your dehumidifier will run seamlessly.
Also Clean the Water Tank
Take out the water tank and empty out its contents. Wipe it clean before putting it back in the dehumidifier. This will help prevent sediments from getting in the motor of the machine. It also prevents molds from growing, which can ensure the long lifespan of your dehumidifier.
Keep the Condenser Coils Frost-Free
Prevent ice build up by making sure you keep these condenser coils insulated. You can use the same techniques that you use to avoid frosting on pipes but make sure the materials you use are safe for your condenser coils. Also keep the room warm enough in the winter to prevent frosting. Proper placement is indispensable not just to prevent this issue but also to make sure that your dehumidifier will perform to the fullest.
Keep the Exhaust Grills Clean
Make sure there is no dirt trapped in there. Turn the machine off and then use a clean rag to remove collected residues on the exhaust grills. Also do the same on the air intake. A clean dehumidifier means a problem-free home.
Conclusion
Of course, no amount of cleaning and maintaining will prolong the life of a poorly-made dehumidifier. This is why you should consider what you are buying. Buy the best quality dehumidifiers and those with the features that will help you keep your unit in good condition. Make sure they have parts that are heavy-duty and can resist wear and tear. Don’t buy without reading our essential buying guide!