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September 7, 2008
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Dehumidifiers - Operation
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Operating a Dehumidifier
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MSU Extension
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What's in this article
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 Operation
Operating Temperature
Cleaning Dehumidifiers
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 Return to the Knowledge Base
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Operation
Place the unit at least 6 inches from the nearest
wall where air can flow freely to and from all sides. Avoid locating it in a room corner or near a large piece of furniture. Shut all doors and windows to the area to be dehumidified.
For the first few days of operation, turn the
humidistat, if the model has one, to drier or "extra dry." This aids moisture removal from furnishings as well as room air. After the area has dried, adjust the humidistat to your particular comfort level.
Before you empty the water pan or bucket, turn the machine off and also disconnect the power cord. This eliminates any possibility of electric shock if you spill water and there is a fault in the grounding system of the unit or your home wiring. Be sure the area, the unit, and you are dry before you reconnect the cord.
Dehumidifiers operate most effectively at air
temperatures about 70 F. At temperatures below 65 F., frost may form on the coils (which are kept cold to condense as much moisture as possible). If this happens, shut it off, and wait for it to defrost before running again. Frost cuts down air circulation so the dehumidifying process does not work, and may damage the coils. This problem usually occurs in cool basements in spring or fall; check the appliance if temperature hovers
near that point.
As water condenses out of the air, heat is given
off, raising the temperature slightly in the area around the appliance. This warmer air results in a lower relative humidity.
Cleaning Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers need little upkeep or care. The
following simple procedures are sufficient:
Always unplug the power cord before cleaning the unit. For regular cleaning, dust the grilles or louvers with a soft brush or the dusting attachment of a vacuum cleaner. Either dust the cabinet or wipe it with a damp cloth. Every few weeks, scrub the inside of the water container
with a sponge or soft cloth and a mild detergent to discourage the growth of mold, mildew, or bacteria. At least once each season, remove all dust and lint from the cold coils with a soft brush.
This is particularly important for a dehumidifier
because it may be operated on a damp floor that could conduct electricity and because it collects water, which could spill and cause an electrical accident.
If a three-hole, grounded outlet is not available, have a two-hole outlet converted by a licensed electrician.
Never remove the third prong from a dehumidifier
plug; to do so invites an electrical accident. A power cord about 8 feet long permits locating a unit suitably in most homes without the use of an extension cord. An extension connection, if it rests on a damp floor or if water spills on it, is a shock hazard. If you must use an extension cord, be sure it has a three-hole receptacle and three-prong plug for grounding.
A dehumidifier's fan motor should either be
permanently oiled or easy to reach for oiling; the refrigeration system motor is sealed and never needs oiling.
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