A dehumidifier is the perfect answer to resolve problems of humidity and dampness for rooms in a home. If left alone, a home may foster the growth of mold, creating an unhealthy living situation and costly repairs. Sometimes, just like other appliances, a dehumidifier may break down. Dealing with a broken dehumidifier can be difficult, so knowing the signs can be helpful.
Signs Of A Broken Dehumidifier
When you see one or more of these signs, take action quickly before you have more costly repairs due to water damage in your home. Let’s explore the details about these signs that you may have a broken dehumidifier. Those signs may include:
Not Collecting Water
A dehumidifier that’s not draining is usually due to one of two reasons related to the drain hose. The first is that there is a block in the drain hose, which prevents it from collecting water. The second issue could be due to an improperly connected drain house. Check the drain hose adaptor to see if it is fully inserted into the receptacle of the dehumidifier.
Leaking Water Onto The Floor
Water that’s leaking all over the floor should be cleaned up immediately to prevent prime conditions for water damage and the spread of mold. Check the collection bucket to make sure it is positioned correctly within the unit. There could also be cracks in the collection bucket that’s causing water to leak out. If there doesn’t seem to be a problem with the collection bucket, and there’s a drain hose installed, make sure that the connection for the drain hose is on tight.
Noisy Or Rattling While On
A loose fan motor, compressor mounting brackets, or screws can be the possible culprits of a noisy dehumidifier. The fan or compressor might start to vibrate, becoming noisy when these things occur. The dehumidifier fan motor rotates the fan blade on the unit. The front of the evaporator is where the air is pulled in before it’s pushed out through the back of the condenser coil.
Staying On Permanently
When a dehumidifier runs constantly, it will continue collecting moisture. The dehumidifier’s capacity might be too low for the space, which could be the reason that it runs continuously. This could mean that you need to add another dehumidifier to increase the overall capacity for water collection.
Another reason why the dehumidifier might be staying on is that there is a defective humidity sensor that is telling the unit to keep dehumidifying. An evaporator that is not defrosting and that appears iced over may need a replacement evaporator thermistor, which is located on the evaporator coils and functions as the temperature sensor. It senses the temperature of the evaporator coil and transmits that information to the electronic control board. When a thermistor isn’t working correctly, the coils won’t defrost because the electronic control isn’t told that it is frozen. An iced-over evaporator won’t allow the dehumidifier to collect water.
If the evaporator doesn’t appear to have signs of frost while it’s running and it’s also not collecting water, the compressor could be defective or it might be low on refrigerant.
Otherwise, it could be the dehumidifier humidistat that is not communicating the humidity properly to the electronic control board. This sensor is found on the front of the evaporator coil, and it detects the humidity in the room by using the air that’s pulled in through the evaporator. It uses a wire harness connection to transmit this information to the electronic control board. When it’s defective, the humidity in the room won’t be accurately detected.
Collecting Frost
Ice or frost that builds up on the evaporator coil is usually caused if the room is too cold or the unit has been turned on recently. A properly operating dehumidifier will work in a space where the room temperature is at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit. You may need to replace The parts of a dehumidifier that collect frost which could include the dehumidifier compressor, dehumidifier condenser coil, dehumidifier evaporator coil, or the dehumidifier fan motor.
No Longer Turns On Or Does Not Stay On Long
If you have a dehumidifier that won’t turn on, check the outlet first to make sure it is working properly by plugging in a lamp or another small appliance into the electrical outlet. If the outlet is the problem, the fix could be as easy as resetting the house circuit.
If the unit turns but isn’t staying on, the parts of the dehumidifier that may be the culprit include:
- Dehumidifier Electronic Control Board – This board regulates the compressor and fan motor of a dehumidifier. A compressor or fan that’s not working properly could be an indicator that it needs to be replaced.
- User Interface Control Board – The selection buttons that you push are housed in the control panel. The connection to the user interface control board to the control board is made by a wire harness. This control board might need to be replaced if the selection buttons are unresponsive.
- Dehumidifier Evaporator Thermistor – This component tells the electronic control board the temperature of the evaporator coil. When it’s not working, the coils won’t defrost they freeze over.
- Dehumidifier Compressor – This is the pump that compresses refrigerant which runs through a dehumidifier through a sealed system. Problems with the compressor should be handled by a certified professional since repairs and replacements involve refrigerant.
Speak With Presidential Heating & Air Today
If you have a broken dehumidifier, it’s best to talk to a professional who is knowledgeable about the various components found on a unit. The experts at Presidential Heating and Air will troubleshoot your broken dehumidifier to find out what’s causing the problems. We’re here to serve you and address all your needs. Our commitment to quality, leadership, and excellence in the industry has earned us the 2020 Carrier Award. Call us today for a free estimate and consultation.