Is It Worth It To Repair A Dehumidifier
Adept communication on how to repair a dehumidifier that doesn't work, does a poor job of dehumidifying, or has other problems.
If your home doesn't have air conditioning, it may rely upon a dehumidifier to reduce uncomfortable, muggy humidity in room air.
A dehumidifier uses refrigeration principles the way an air conditioner does, but information technology doesn't cool the air—in fact, it warms it slightly.
If your dehumidifier doesn't work right, a simple cleaning of the condenser and moisture-collecting (evaporator) coils may exist all that'due south necessary to fix it.
This article discusses mutual dehumidifier problems with helpful tips on how to solve them.
How a Dehumidifier Works
A dehumidifier is a box that contains cold evaporator coils, warm condenser coils, a fan, and a reservoir or drain to catch water.
The fan blows moisture-laden room air over the cold coils, where water condenses and drips into the pan or drain.
The drier air and so blows across the warm coils and dorsum into the room.
Although a dehumidifier does not cool the air, it makes information technology more comfortable because it decreases the humidity. But a dehumidifier does not part well under almost 65 degrees F.
A dehumidifier'southward fan must accept electric power, the evaporator coils must incorporate a proper charge of refrigerant, and the controls must work for the dehumidifier to operate.
In the same fashion that a thermostat controls a heater or air conditioner, a dehumidifier is cycled off and on by a humidistat that measures a room's humidity.
How to Repair a Dehumidifier
If your dehumidifier shows no signs of life any:
i Cheque the power. Be sure it is plugged into a working outlet and is turned on.
2 Unplug the dehumidifier unit and check the ability string. If necessary, replace the appliance power cord.
3 Remove the cover console and look for water ice. If y'all see any ice blocking parts, let the water ice melt and do not use the unit until the room temperature exceeds 65 degrees Fahrenheit (most dehumidifiers are not designed for utilise in colder spaces and may freeze upwardly). Many people find that past unplugging the unit and waiting about 30 days into the season the problem is solved.
4 Remove and test the overflow cutoff switch. You lot can exercise this with a volt-ohm meter. Clip the leads to the terminals on the switch. Depress the bar or trip lever on the switch. If the meter's needle does not show continuity and likewise no continuity every bit the switch is clicked back and forth, the switch is probably faulty and will need to be replaced.
v Remove the humidistat and bank check it. Y'all can test a dehumidifier humidistat fairly easily using a volt-ohm meter. Too using a volt-ohm meter, you can tell if the overflow switch works or non. But set the meter to the RX1 scale and adhere its leads to the humidistat's terminals.
Rotate the humidistat's knob as far as it volition turn in both directions. If the volt-ohm meter registers zero ohms through but part of the humidistat dial'south range, the humidistat is working. If it registers aught through the entire range, it'south broken and must be replaced.
6 If the unit even so doesn't work, decide whether y'all're better off replacing the appliance or calling a repair person (this decision will depend upon the value of your dehumidifier)—the dehumidifier compressor motor or the relay and overload switch may be the trouble. Information technology'due south usually best to replace the dehumidifier .
Dehumidifier Does Non Work Well
If your dehumidifier seems incompetent, it may be undersized for the space. Check the unit's specifications to exist sure information technology can handle the room size. If y'all don't want to replace information technology with a larger one, endeavour closing doors and dehumidifying the space a department at a time. After disconnecting the ability cord, you lot can likewise:
1 Remove the cover and make clean the condenser and moisture-collecting (evaporator) coils.
ii Lubricate the fan motor bearings with a couple of drops of lightweight household oil (such as 3-in-Ane) if the motor has oil ports (some dehumidifiers don't need to be oiled). While y'all're at information technology, make sure that the condenser isn't clogged with dust or dirt.
iii Finally, make sure your humidistat is functioning properly past testing it with a volt-ohm meter. Just set the meter to RX1 scale and attach its leads to the humidistat's terminals. Rotate the humidistat's knob as far equally it will plow in both directions. If the volt-ohm meter registers 0 ohms through only office of the humidistat punch's range, the humidistat is working. If it registers 0 through the entire range, it's broken and must be replaced.
4 If information technology all the same operates poorly, call an apparatus repair person for communication or accept the unit into an apparatus repair shop, or purchase a new dehumidifier.
Dehumidifier Overflows or Leaks
Many dehumidifiers have a bladder switch that prevents the unit of measurement from spilling over with the water that has been fatigued out of the air. Sometimes this switch goes bad and must be replaced. If your dehumidifier is inundation, you can test the overflow prevention switch with a volt-ohm meter.
1 Unplug the dehumidifier and remove the switch.
2 Disconnect the leads and clip the leads of the volt-ohm meter to the terminals on the switch.
iii Check the pan or reservoir and empty it if necessary, or make sure the drain isn't clogged.
4 Straighten any kinks or bends in the unit's hose.
v Ready a volt-ohm meter to the RX1 scale (or to Chiliad-? or ? resistance on a digital meter) and depress the bar or trip lever on the switch. If the meter's needle shows no continuity as the switch is clicked dorsum and forth, the switch is probably faulty and will need replacement.
Dehumidifier Freezes Up
Is your dehumidifier freezing up? If your dehumidifier ices up, it's of import to solve the problem—running a dehumidifier that's totally iced upward can harm the compressor.
A dehumidifier will often frost upwardly if room temperatures are colder than nigh 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Though some "basement humidifiers" are designed to work in temperatures below 65 degrees F, conventional humidifiers are not.
If your room temperature isn't overly common cold, airflow to the unit may be restricted or blocked, the unit may have a faulty de-icer switch, the refrigerant gas in the unit may be too low, or the compressor may be declining.
To troubleshoot a dehumidifier that freezes up:
ane Accept a look at your room temperature, as previously stated. If the room temperature is lower than 40 degrees F., the dehumidifier will definitely freeze up. A clear indicator of this is an evaporator coil that is frosted up completely and evenly (come across Footstep 5 for information on opening the unit).
If you doubtable that your room temperature may be too cold, try setting the dehumidifier on a tabular array so that information technology circulates slightly warmer air. You can also endeavour aiming a small blower or heater at the unit—if this solves the problem, consider raising the room temperature slightly.
two Be sure the unit is set far enough from the wall so that airflow isn't restricted. Annihilation that prevents room air from freely moving through the unit tin can cause the dehumidifier to freeze up. (However, practise non place it in a drafty spot.)
iii Be certain the fan is working. If y'all don't hear the fan bravado air across the coils when the unit is turned on and supposed to be operating, the dehumidifier will freeze up.
four Clean the filter if it has one. If your dehumidifier has a filter, follow the manufacturer'southward instructions to clean it. In well-nigh cases, y'all apply a vacuum cleaner to practice this; foam filters can be cleaned with spray from a faucet.
5 Vacuum the condenser coils. If the coils inside the unit are dirty, they cannot operate efficiently. Unplug the dehumidifier and open it up by removing the screws that secure the outer cover.
Annotation whether the coils are completely iced up or only partially iced upwards. If just certain sections of the coils are iced up, the problem is likely to be caused by low refrigerant or a declining compressor (see Stride eight).
Allow all water ice to melt and backlog moisture to evaporate from the coils. Then, using a brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner, remove all dust buildup, beingness careful not to harm the coils.
half-dozen If vacuuming the coils doesn't do a practiced enough chore of getting them make clean, take the unit exterior, embrace the motor and electric parts with plastic sheeting, and spray the coils with h2o. Bleed the unit and allow it to dry completely earlier putting it back together and plugging it in.
seven Exam the unit. Later on plugging the dehumidifier in, plough it on to come across if it freezes up over again.
8 Brand a determination. If information technology still doesn't work, it is probably low in refrigerant. At present you have to make a determination to either take it into an appliance repair shop or toss it and buy a new one.
Earlier taking your dehumidifier into a repair shop, get a phone approximate of the toll of recharging and/or repairing it. Then evaluate whether or not it'due south worth doing. If you decide to buy a new one, please see the free Dehumidifiers Buying Guide.
Dehumidifier Smells Bad
Does your dehumidifier smell bad? If your dehumidifier stinks or smells musty or like sulfur or mold, this expert communication volition assist you lot troubleshoot and solve the problem.
Dehumidifier odors are generally acquired past stagnant water that has pooled in a hose or by chronically muddy condenser coils. Though you might be tempted to clean it with some type of disinfectant or household cleaner, resist the temptation! You should not use any blazon of chemicals in a dehumidifier—the residue is too hard to remove and some chemicals tin can be caustic.
Instead, use vinegar (its smell with be strong at kickoff merely will misemploy with time), hydrogen peroxide to make clean the reservoir, coils, and filter. Employ these 2 non-toxic chemicals in sequence, applying and removing the vinegar start, and then the hydrogen peroxide, which helps remove the vinegar'due south odor.
How to Make clean a Dehumidifier
After unplugging the dehumidifier, take it outside to work on it. Hither's how to clean it to rid it of odors:
1 Fill up 1 spray bottle with total-strength white vinegar and another spray bottle with full-strength hydrogen peroxide.
2 Clean the reservoir / drip pan. Outset by completely emptying it and mopping upwardly any damp areas. Then spray the inside of the reservoir /drip pan with vinegar, let to sit down for 10 minutes, and and so rinse thoroughly with clear water. Use a clean rag or new sponge to wipe it out and repeat the rinse and wipe process. Follow up with the hydrogen peroxide, following the same methods.
3 Clean the coils with an inexpensive ringlet-cleaning brush (available online or at hardware stores) and a garden hose. Exist very careful not to damage the coils. Then spray them with vinegar and let to sit down for 10 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly with water, wipe clean, and echo with hydrogen peroxide. Allow the unit to dry in a warm identify for at least 24 hours.
4 Clean the filter. To clean a dehumidifier filter, remove it and spray information technology with vinegar. Allow this to sit for ten minutes, then rinse it thoroughly and spray information technology with hydrogen peroxide. Let this sit for 10 minutes, rinse again, and wipe information technology make clean with a make clean fabric or new sponge.
v Wipe the fan blades clean. Remove the encompass first, then use a damp cloth to make clean the fan blades and the area effectually the motor.
Put 2 teaspoons of baking soda in the dehumidifier's tank to prevent futurity mildew and mold odors. In the future, empty the dehumidifier regularly then that information technology doesn't take time to grow mold or bacteria.
Dehumidifier Is Noisy
Is your dehumidifier making strange noises? If information technology is, the noises are probably caused past loose, vibrating parts. Subsequently disconnecting the power:
ane Remove the embrace and await for loose screws or vibrating parts and bank check to see if the safe compressor mounts have hardened so that they no longer absorb the unit'due south movement. If they take, supercede them.
2 Jerk the fan to meet if it is loose on its shaft. If it is, tighten the mounting fasteners. Lubricate the motor's bearings if suggested by your owner'due south manual.
iii If information technology still makes noise, call an appliance repair person or take the unit into an apparatus-repair shop.
Helpful Dehumidifier Video
Here's a video that we plant particularly helpful in explaining how a dehumidifier works. The voice-over is a bit robotic, just the data is skilful.
Source: https://www.hometips.com/repair-fix/dehumidifier-doesnt-work.html
Posted by: loppwhowerevers.blogspot.com
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