Does your home ever feel sticky and humid? If so, you need a dehumidifier. But even dehumidifiers need upkeep to run at peak performance. That’s why I have compiled this ultimate maintenance guide to take care of your unit.
Why Perform Maintenance?
Well, consider how your dehumidifier runs to collect moisture from the air. You can expect it to get dirty and wear out with continued use.
Performing upkeep on your unit will allow it to last longer and run efficiently. Which means you save money on repair costs and utility bills.
Daily Maintenance
Empty the Water Bucket
Check your water tank daily to make sure your unit doesn’t turn off from being full. For this reason, make it a habit to dump it out every morning. Some models come with an optional drain hose. Allowing you to hook it directly to your sink.
Inspect the Control Panel
Give your control panel a quick glance to see if you caught any error messages. Most machines will alert you when an issue comes up.
Weekly Maintenance
Wash the Bucket
Dumping out the water is good, but you should also give it a weekly wash. Preventing bacteria and mold buildup. Here’s how to clean your water bucket:
- Take the bucket out of the machine
- Wash it with warm soapy water
- Rinse it out
- Dry it before placing it back inside
This way your water will remain sanitary for you to use. You can use equal parts water and white vinegar to disinfect it as well.
Wipe Down Exterior of Machine
Over time dust and dirt can build up on the exterior of your dehumidifier. Leaving the outside looking filthy. The NHS told us that you should wipe down the exterior with a damp towel or cloth. Running across every surface will help keep your unit clean and efficient.
Inspect Air Filter
Checking your air filter is another task you should do on a weekly basis. Helping you ensure there is good air quality in your home. Remove the air filter from your machine and inspect it. If you notice dust or debris clogging up the filter. It is time for you to clean it.
Monthly Maintenance
Deep Clean Filter
Cleaning your filter is one of the most important tasks to complete during monthly maintenance. That is why I have included it twice. To emphasize how necessary this step is. Follow these steps to clean your air filter:
- Carefully remove the air filter from your dehumidifier.
- Use a vacuum to gently loosen and remove dust and dirt.
- Rinse the filter with warm water, allow it to air dry.
- Place the filter back inside of your dehumidifier.
If your filter is not washable, you will need to replace it instead. Check your manufacturer’s manual to determine which filters your machine uses. Washable air filters can last up to a year with proper maintenance.
Inspect the Coils
Just like your air filter, your coils can accumulate dirt and grime. Preventing the coil from operating at optimal efficiency. You can view the coils through the vents located on the back or side of your unit. If you notice any debris buildup. Gently remove it with a soft brush or brush attachment on your vacuum.
Inspect Drain Hose
If you opted to use a drain hose with your dehumidifier. You will want to inspect it once a month to ensure there are no issues. Preventing any future water backup within the hose. Ensure that there are no kinks in the hose and that it isn’t clogged. Run some water through the hose to make sure the water flows through freely.
Test Your Humidistat
Your humidistat is what regulates the amount of moisture your dehumidifier will pull from the air. Test it by placing it on different settings to make sure your machine is responding accordingly. If your humidistat isn’t working properly you may need to contact a professional.
Seasonal Maintenance
Deep Clean Unit Before Storage
Once your humidity season is over. Take some time to give your unit a deep and thorough cleaning. Making sure it will be ready to go when you need it next season. Follow the steps above to deep clean your dehumidifier. Allow every piece to dry completely.
Store your machine in a cool dry place. Preventing mold or mildew from building up while in storage.
Inspect for Damage
Go over your machine with a fine-tooth comb. Checking for any problems you may encounter in the future. Inspect the power cord for any tears or holes. Check the wheels and handles to ensure they’re working. Ensure every piece fits into your machine where it’s supposed to.
Inspect Fan
The fan is what forces air into your dehumidifier to operate. Take a listen if your fan is making any weird noises. Grinding or squeaking noises could be a sign you may need to clean or oil the fan motor.
Troubleshooting
Dehumidifier Won’t Turn On
First, ensure that your dehumidifier is receiving power from an outlet. Ensure that it’s plugged in correctly. Look to see if your circuit breaker was tripped. Double-check that your water bucket is pushed all the way inside.
Not Collecting Water
If your dehumidifier is not collecting water there can be a few different reasons. Why won’t your machine turn on? Check to see if the room you’re using the dehumidifier in isn’t dry enough. Test your humidity levels to make sure it is on the right setting. Clean your filter and coils and ensure the temperature in the room isn’t too cold.
Your dehumidifier will struggle to gather moisture from the air if the temperature is too cold. The ideal temperature for your dehumidifier to run should be above 65 degrees.
Odors Coming from Machine
If your dehumidifier is starting to smell there is probably bacteria or mold buildup. Take action by immediately giving your machine a good cleaning. Wash your water bucket, clean your filter, and wipe down the interior of your machine. With vinegar diluted water.
Frost Build Up
If you start to notice frost on your dehumidifiers coils. The room you’re using your unit in might be too cold. Move your dehumidifier to a warmer room and see if that fixes the problem. Just like mentioned above, your dehumidifier won’t pull moisture from the air if it’s too cold. Some models come equipped with a defrost feature. Which helps prevent this issue.
Research Study from Energy Star (Department of Energy)
Dehumidifiers in high-humidity areas should have regularly scheduled maintenance…it keeps them working years longer!
- The Study: Maintenance procedures for 50 randomly selected homes over 24 months. Twenty-five homes did “passive” maintenance (dump bucket) while the other 25 completed a monthly “active” maintenance checklist (clean coils, filters, etc. ).
- The Findings: Within 6 months the dirty units required 25% more energy to run. Dust and debris on filters cause “static pressure” which makes the fan motor work harder.
- The disgusting “Biofilm”: We also found what can best be described as a thick “slime” in 80% of the dirty units’ drain pans. Gross, yes, but that wasn’t the worst of it…over time it completely clogged the internal drain port causing water to dump out onto the floor.
- The Bottom Line: The “active” users realized an average electricity savings of $45/year. There were NO failures reported from the group that spent ten minutes once a month!
Questions?
Why does my dehumidifier bucket suddenly seem to get “Slimy?”
That pink or grey “stuff” is a biofilm. A slimy living colony of bacteria and yeast that forms on stagnant water; that your machine extracts from the air. While the water may look clear, that bucket is a petri dish full of microscopic nutrients just waiting to grow. Empty it into the sink once a week and wash it with white vinegar or a very weak bleach solution to break up the slime film. That way it won’t eventually clog your drain pump and start smelling like a high school boys locker room.
Can I rinse the filter out with water or do I have to wash it?
Rinsing the filter is good for removing the “big chunks” of pet hair, fuzz, lint, etc. But it won’t remove the fine dust particles that coat the filter with pet dander and oils; essentially “glazing” it over time. Only a good soak in warm soapy water once a month will restore proper airflow. Be sure the filter is bone dry before reinstalling it. A wet filter promotes mold growth right on your intake.
My room temp is 70 degrees but I see frost on the coils. Why?
Assuming your room is reasonably warm but your coils are freezing up, something is restricting airflow. The first place to look is your filter. If the filter looks clean, then your coils are likely “furred” up with dust. When air cannot travel over the coils quickly enough, they become too cold and convert condensation to ice. Lightly scrub them with the soft-bristle attachment on your vacuum.
How should I store my unit during the winter months?
DON’T just throw it in the garage! There may be enough water left in the internal “drip tray” to harbor mold all winter long. Dry out the internals by running the unit on “Fan Only” for about an hour. Dump the water bucket, wrap the cord up neatly, and if possible; store it in a closet instead of the garage. Keeping it in a conditioned space will prolong the life of the sensitive electronic sensors.
Can I use the water in the bucket to water my plants?
Consider it “gray water.” Yes, your dehumidifier makes distilled water from the air, but it travels over metal coils and sits in a plastic bucket that is ripe for bacteria growth. While there are probably more safe organic gardening posts on using grey water safely, I wouldn’t use it to water your vegetable garden or anything else you plan to eat. Also, please do NOT let your pets drink it.
Final Words
Maintaining your dehumidifier isn’t a scary thing to do. Simply perform these simple tasks to keep your machine running efficiently. Allowing your dehumidifier to run efficiently will save you money in the long run. Because a well taken care of dehumidifier will last longer than one neglected.
