Have you ever observed your dehumidifier freezing up? If that’s the case, this isn’t one thing you need to ignore, because it may point out an issue along with your machine or that it is positioned in an unsuitable surroundings that must be addressed.
A frozen unit has to work a lot tougher to filter your air, which may trigger it to overheat or burn out – doubtlessly resulting in a damaged dehumidifier. Because it gained’t be capable of take away moisture from the air successfully, you’ll additionally waste power and nonetheless have extra humidity in your room, so it’s greatest to get the issue sorted as quickly as potential.
To be taught why your dehumidifier is freezing up, maintain studying. Our specialists clarify two frequent causes of this difficulty, what you are able to do to stop it from icing up within the first place, and easy methods to repair it if it occurs.
Why is my dehumidifier freezing up?
There are two frequent the reason why your dehumidifier is perhaps freezing up:
1. You’ve got chosen the fallacious dehumidifier
If you happen to’re utilizing a compressor dehumidifier in temperatures beneath 15°C, it’s extremely prone to freeze up. Since this mannequin makes use of a refrigerant, it can enter defrost mode if the coils get too chilly – identical to a fridge.
It’s going to additionally spend extra time defrosting than dehumidifying the air, lowering effectivity and losing power. Extended freezing may additionally harm your unit, which is why it’s essential to decide on a dehumidifier designed for chilly rooms.
Katie Lilywhite, Class Purchaser at AO says, “Most compressor dehumidifiers will wrestle when the air temperature dips beneath 15°C because the moisture can freeze on the coils as a substitute of dripping into its water tank.”
2. There’s poor airflow
Dehumidifiers also can freeze up attributable to poor airflow, similar to a vent that’s blocked with mud or particles, or if the unit is positioned too near a wall or object. That is one of many causes it is so essential to recurrently clear your dehumidifier.
When airflow is restricted, the coils don’t get sufficient heat air passing over them, making them colder than they need to be and resulting in a build-up of chilly spots and ice. This ice can additional limit airflow, worsening the scenario and lowering the unit’s effectivity.
Katie Lilywhite is a class purchaser at AO.com with experience throughout numerous home equipment, like dehumidifiers.
How do I cease my dehumidifier from icing up?
To cease your dehumidifier from icing up within the first place, Katie Lilywhite says that choosing the proper mannequin is essential. If you happen to plan to make use of it in a chilly room, similar to an unheated storage or basement, then a desiccant dehumidifier is your greatest wager, as compressor fashions don’t work effectively in low temperatures.
To make sure your unit will get sufficient air circulation, transfer it away from partitions and furnishings to present it loads of area to breathe.
Often cleansing your dehumidifier is one other strategy to forestall restricted airflow, as Katie beforehand defined. Not solely will this cease ice from forming, however correct upkeep may also prolong the lifespan of your unit, enhance its effectivity, and forestall mould and micro organism from growing inside.
Laura Bradbury, Head of eCommerce at Vonhaus, provides, “Many fashions have an automated defrost setting that pauses operation till the ice melts, so the unit can get again to work safely with out harm.”
MeacoDry ABC 10 L Dehumidifier
Because of the automated defrost characteristic, you gained’t have to fret about this dehumidifier freezing and breaking.
Laura Bradbury is Head of eCommerce at on-line homeware and backyard retailer Vonhaus.
Methods to repair a frozen dehumidifier
If you happen to’ve observed a bit little bit of frost in your dehumidifier, Laura Bradbury reassures that it’s going to normally clear inside 15 to half-hour, and most fashionable units can handle this mechanically. “As soon as the ice has melted, they’ll swap themselves again on and keep on as regular.”
Nevertheless, if this isn’t the case, Viktor Velikov, Director at Elserve, recommends the next:
- Flip your dehumidifier off
- Let it absolutely defrost earlier than switching it again on
- Be certain that the filter is clear as blocked air move could cause icing
- Make sure the room temperature stays above 15°C.
Viktor Velikov is the director of Elserve and has over 22 years of expertise within the home equipment business. At Elserve, he leads a trusted group delivering environment friendly, dependable dwelling equipment repairs throughout Larger London – from washing machines and dishwashers to fridges and cookers.
By choosing the proper mannequin on your dwelling’s temperature and following correct dehumidifier upkeep, you may forestall your unit from freezing up and inflicting critical harm.
Nevertheless, in case you’ve observed different issues along with your machine – like uncommon noises – and suppose it is perhaps nearing the tip of its life, it is price studying how lengthy dehumidifiers usually final to see in case you’re due for an improve.
