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Q: We live in an area where humidity is high, so we regularly run a dehumidifier to keep the air in our home from feeling sticky. Unfortunately, the dehumidifier seems to have stopped working. Is there a way we can fix it, or should we bite the bullet and buy a new one?
A : gloomy to hear about your dehumidifier woes ! While the purchase of a new , character dehumidifiermight be an eventuality , there ’s also a full chance that something small has go wrong and you might be capable to deposit this one yourself . Before troubleshooting the appliance , check first to ensure it ’s plug all the way into the outlet — and then stop up something else into the sameoutletto see if the problem lies with the power .
If the dehumidifier is stop up in and the outlet is working , the problem lies within the appliance itself . film clip to check the following will aid nail possible ground for the dehumidifier not working and whether it ’s deserving recompense .
The tank is full.
Most dehumidifiers come with a shut - off switch that turns the appliance off if the water in the collection armoured combat vehicle reaches the top . If the dehumidifier has a drainpipe line that runs to a trading floor drain , a full tank could indicate that the line has become kinked or is clogged .
Manually transfer the aggregation tank car , plunge it , and then hit the waste pipe agate line ( it screw on like a hose ) and ensure it ’s not blocked . If it is and you ca n’t easy remove the clog , replace the drain short letter .
The humidity level is set too high.
Most dehumidifiers permit the substance abuser to select the desired tier of humidity in the way , typically 30 to 40 percentage . When the humidity rise above that grade , the dehumidifier turn on and removes moisture from the tune .
If someone inadvertently turned up the humidness level on the dehumidifier , it might not be coming on because the elbow room ’s humidness level is not high enough . Check to see that the desire humidness level is set no in high spirits than 40 percentage , and turn it down if it is .
The humidistat is broken.
If thedesired humidity levelisn’t too high , the problem could be with the humidistat . The humidistat is the actual component in the dehumidifier that turn the appliance on when moisture in the air reaches the predetermined level . It ’s a belittled faculty often located just beneath the dehumidifier ’s cover ( turn back the owner ’s manual for the exact spot ) .
If the humidistat no longer works , it ca n’t turn the dehumidifier on . Those familiar with testing galvanic flow can utilize amultimeterto test the humidistat for persistence ( ohms ) . Or you could ask a professional linesman or technician to essay the humidistat . If the component has rifle bad , set up a young one from the producer and replacing it is a relatively simple task .
The room temperature is too cool.
The same rule that results in a methamphetamine of iced teatime sweating in the summertime is at employment indehumidifiers . Warm , moist air flows into the appliance where it comes into tangency with trash - cold evaporator curlicue , cause the moisture in the air to condense and then drip down to a assemblage tank . However , if the way is cool than 65 point , the wet on the whorl can turn to frost rather than contract and drain .
When frost frame on the evaporator roll , it hold back the appliance from turn efficiently . Unplug the unit of measurement and rear the cover to discipline for frost . If you see it , give the dehumidifier unplugged and allow for the frost to melt , which can take a few hours , depending on how thick it is . Once the curl are clear , turn the unit back on and turn up the temperature in the room to keep frost from forming again .
Refrigerant fluid is too low.
The evaporator whorl on a dehumidifier remain moth-eaten because they ’re satisfy with pressurized refrigerating fluid , and a compressor pump the fluid continuously through the gyre . The coil system seals tightly to keep the fluid in , but flyspeck cracks can make over time , get the fluid to leak out slowly .
Without sufficient refrigerant fluid , the evaporator coils will not become inhuman enough to draw moisture from the air . When this happens , regrettably , it ’s not an loose fix . A plumber or HVAC technician can reload the coils with more refrigerant fluid , but the cracks can be hard to seal , and the liquid could leak out again . Unless the dehumidifier is a pricey , whole - house unit , it ’s usually more cost - effective to corrupt a novel dehumidifier .
The fan stopped working.
The sports fan in a dehumidifier does n’t blow air out . alternatively , it draws air into the appliance so the wet in the tune total into contact with the trash - frigid coils . If the fan is n’t pulling in the air , the dehumidifying process ca n’t work in effect . The culprit could be a dirty sports fan or a broken buff vane .
If you are comfortable checking inside the unit of measurement , unplug it and then take out the covering , then turn the devotee blade by hand to see if either debris or a broken blade is keeping the buff from turn . manufacturer hold switch blades , which exploiter can order and install , ordinarily with the assistant of just a screwdriver .
If a broken fan motor is at defect , however , the hole is more complex . replace a rooter motor is a occupation for a professional technician . Depending on the existing dehumidifier ’s economic value , it might be more cost - effective to buy a raw unit .
Photo: iStock
Something is blocking airflow.
If the fan is in good shape , something could be halt airflow into the whole . This could be as simple-minded as lint , dust , or best-loved pelt buildup on the grillwork that covers the fan . A dehumidifier placed against a wall or next to an upholstered chair might not be capable to delineate in enough air . Position the dehumidifier at least a foot out from walls , furniture , drapery , vesture , and other token .
If a dirty or clogged grillroom is reducing airflow , disconnect the unit of measurement , remove the grill back , take it alfresco , and spray it clean with a hosiery . While you ’re at it , if you see lint and debris in the interior of the dehumidifier cause , reckon have the intact unit alfresco and clean away the mint with tight air , either from a can or from the nozzle end of an breeze compressor hose .
Tried-and-True Advice
“ I learned the hard way that pet hair and rubble can build up up tight , even on a unit that ’s not directly against a wall . Now , I vacuum the air intake grille once a week using the coppice adherence on my vacuum dry cleaner . It helps maintain airflow and prevents the fan from overworking . ”
Electrical parts or connections have gone bad.
Dehumidifiers contain electric components that can go forged , and internal wiring that can short-change or come easy from connection terminal . Models made within the preceding decade or so might hold electronic ascendence boards that can burn out and blockade function .
Only someone familiar with electronic circuitry should quiz a dehumidifier ’s wiring and electrical components . Some of the mental test need that the dehumidifier remain plugged in during the test , so the best selection in this case is to take the dehumidifier to a diminished appliance repair shop or have a technician come out and take a look .
The dehumidifier’s compressor is overloaded.
The dehumidifier ’s compressor is the effect of the social unit , and it circulates refrigerant liquid through the spiral . If the compressor is struggle to operate or if grievous frost develops on the whorl , the compressor can become overheated .
Most dehumidifiers have an overburden switch that will shut an overheated compressor down to keep from damage it . If the dehumidifier does n’t make a speech sound when turned on , the overload substitution might have flipped . If the compressor overheated due to frost buildup , you may try reset the overload shift ( check the owner ’s manual of arms for emplacement ) once the icing has melted .
regrettably , other problems can have an overload permutation to flip , and some of them are related to poor - circuiting of the gizmo ’s wiring . If this is the case , the overload replacement will go along to flip even after resetting , and a technician will likely be want to pinpoint the suit . Some users might prefer to instead purchase a Modern unit at this point . If you get to this stagecoach , ourguide to choosing a dehumidifiershould turn out useful .
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