How To Look After Your Dehumidifier

4 Steps To Look After Your Dehumidifier

While dehumidifiers don’t tend to require a huge amount of upkeep, you should still take steps to look after your machine properly. By doing so, you are more likely to keep it in good working order, meaning that you are less likely to need an expensive replacement. Also, if your dehumidifier is not working properly, it will not be doing its primary job effectively. With this in mind, we have put together this guide that covers some of the key points involved in looking after your dehumidifier.

Common Maintenance Steps

In times of high humidity, you may need to empty the tank as often as once per day. Your device should shut off when it is time to empty the tank, so make sure you do so efficiently to ensure the device continues running effectively.

If your device is not running as well as usual, the cords may need to be cleaned and vacuumed. Dirty coils can cause the machine to freeze, so clear away the dust as necessary. Another issue is that the fan shaft, which may have slipped, so tighten up the screws if needed. If the fan motor is hardly turning, it may be that the motor needs replacing entirely. Also, you should check the blades in case they are bent for any reason. Remember, when searching for replacement parts, you should make sure that you match the make and model. While replacing the blades is a job that you can take care of yourself, if you are unable to sort out the problem yourself, you may need to take the device to a professional service technician.

Where Should I Place My Dehumidifier?

Your dehumidifier needs to be placed in the areas of the home where you have the biggest humidity issues. There are several signs that a room has become too humid including excess water on the windows and the appearance of black mold in small spots or large patches. You also need to choose a place where it is going to work effectively. There needs to be plenty of space around the dehumidifier, ensuring that the inlet and outlet are not blocked, so don’t push it right up against a wall. Look out for any furniture, curtains, or other objects that could restrict the airflow. The number of devices that you require depends on how serious a humidity problem you have.

Should I Leave My Dehumidifier on All the Time?

While running your dehumidifier 24 hours a day will produce the best results, it is going to rack up your bills significantly. The amount of time that you run your dehumidifier should be based on the ‘extraction rate’. This refers to how long it takes to extract the moisture in the area to around 50-55% relative humidity. There is no real need to go much lower than this. While the amount of time it takes to reach the level can be quite difficult to determine, between 10 and 12 hours a day of running time is standard. You should also choose the running hours carefully. For example, you may choose to run it in the morning when there are a lot of showers or baths taken. Another good time is if you are drying a lot of clothes indoors.

Should I Run a Fan with a Dehumidifier?

The short answer is that yes – it is perfectly fine to run a dehumidifier alongside an oscillating fan. Whether you need to do this all depends on how big a humidity problem you have in your home.

How Much Water Should a Dehumidifier Collect in a Day?

The answer to this question depends on the make, model, and size of your machine. Smaller models tend to range between 10 and 20 liters per day, but this is in a particularly humid environment. Larger models can collect up to 50 liters per day. However, don’t take these figures as gospel. In less humid environments, the water collection levels will be less. The figures will also depend on how long you run the device each and every day.

A dehumidifier is a piece of equipment that doesn’t generally require a huge amount of upkeep, but the maintenance steps are worth taking if there are any issues with the running of your device. It is also important that you pick a place in your home where the device does its job properly. If you are having issues with your machine, it may be that it is simply not in the right place. You also need to choose the running times properly. Finally, it is worth remembering that a dehumidifier may not be enough on its own to sort of your home’s dampness issues, but along with air purifier, it can be very effective alongside other preventative and restorative techniques to keep humidity levels stable.

Sources:

1. Dehumidifiers – MU Extension
2. Air Filters, Dehumidifiers, and Humidifiers – Health Encyclopedia – University of Rochester