Dehumidifiers - A Handy Appliance for Summer

A dehumidifier is an appliance that acts much like an air conditioner, since it takes a flow of air and drops the temperature of this air, and as the temperature drops, the lower dew point of the air causes water to drop out. This is why a dehumidifier is continuously producing water. Some models will have reservoirs for the water which will need to be constantly emptied out, while others will be connected to drains where the water will flow continuously on its own.

Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air in your home, and are different than room humidifiers or whole-house humidifiers, which do just the opposite and add moisture to the air.

Dehumidifying the air makes a room feel more comfortable at the same temperature. Like air conditioners and refrigerators, dehumidifiers require a trained technician to work on the refrigeration components.

Dehumidifier Maintenance

Check the manufacturer's recommendations and unplug the unit before doing any work on the unit. Annual maintenance on a dehumidifier typically includes:

Replacing or cleaning the air filter: Remove the access panel and replace or wash the air filter.

Cleaning the collection pan: The unit will contain a collection pan for holding the condensate water. Even if you empty the pan regularly, you should still wash it periodically with soap and water or a disinfectant in accordance with your manufacturer's recommendation.

Cleaning the condenser coils: The condenser coils are behind the exhaust grill. Use a vacuum to remove dust on and between the coils.

Lubricating the fan motor: Follow the manufacturer's directions on how to apply oil to the fan motor.

Checking the fan and motor hardware: Check for any looseness of the fan or motor nuts and bolts and tighten if necessary.

If the unit has a pipe that goes from the collection pan to a drain, ensure that the pipe is connected properly and secured so that water does not leak out.