We all know if you could fix your electrical appliance yourself, you would. In your case, the dehumidifier isn't collecting water, which can be very problematic if your house is humid. Therefore, we're guiding you to correct this issue in our article.
Common Dehumidifier Problems
Below are some questions to ask yourself before looking for more costly solutions.
1. Is the Moisture Level Low?
Dehumidifiers extract moisture out of the air. Accordingly, if the humidity level is low, there may not be enough water for your dehumidifier to collect. In that case, your machine not collecting water isn't an issue at all. It's an indication that there's little humidity or the device is doing its job.
2. When Was the Last Time You Did Routine Maintenance?
Neglecting to maintain your dehumidifier can leave it with clogged drains. This could interfere with its ability to collect water, so be sure to change the filters regularly.
3. Is the Device Placed Correctly?
Improper placement can block the airflow and stop the dehumidifier from working correctly. Give it enough free space with no walls or furniture pieces in its way. And see if that makes any difference. Also, it's worth consulting the user manual for more placement tips.
What Type of Dehumidifier Do You Have?
The type of your dehumidifier clues you into its system and how it works. Consider if your dehumidifier has a compressor or if it's a desiccant dehumidifier, as desiccant dehumidifiers are easier to fix with fewer moving parts.
Not to mention, dehumidifiers are designed to work in specific weather conditions, which vary from one type to another, so they may not function well in some temperatures.
On the one hand, dehumidifiers with compressors and refrigerants or evaporator coils are well-suited for warm weather. A fan might direct warm air towards its coils. In cold weather, that won't be possible, as the coil would freeze, preventing water removal.
On the other hand, desiccant dehumidifiers work great in cold temperatures. Other types of dehumidifiers are made for cold weather, wet areas, and basements too. They're equipped with anti-defrost systems, which unfreeze the coils. Whether you have an anti-defrosting system or a desiccant, it'll enable the dehumidifier to work at a low air temperature.
Refrigerant Dehumidifier Not Collecting Water
If you have a dehumidifier with a refrigerant and condenser, here's why it might stop collecting water:
We've alluded to the first reason before, frozen coils. Low temperature can cause excess moisture to freeze the dehumidifier's coils. The auto-defrost feature usually solves it. If there's ice on your coils despite the auto-defrosting feature, chances are it's malfunctioning.
Also, the compressor won't function if the capacitor is faulty, preventing the dehumidifier from collecting water. If you notice the overload tripping, this could be a sign of a bad capacitor. Otherwise, the error could be in the overload devices protection itself, more accurately the extension cords, and the circuit could be burnt or shortcutted.
In that case, it'd be wise to let an expert handle this, but you can use a multimeter to test the capacitor or the circuit board. If it turns out that it's dysfunctional, you can replace it.
Furthermore, the problem may be routed in the dehumidifier fan. If the humidity level is good and the filter is clean, but the dehumidifier isn't releasing any air, the fan may be restricted or malfunctioning.
Try turning it manually, and note if it moves freely. If not, you can replace the blades. If they're in good shape, it could be that the fan motor needs to be replaced.
Moreover, the problem can be a low refrigerant. Although it isn't very likely, these dehumidifiers can get leaks. You can remove their covers and disconnect them from any power sources to examine the coils for breakage. In that case, repairing them is possible, but, considering the cost, you might as well just buy a new dehumidifier.
Finally, the dehumidifier may malfunction because of the PCB assembly or the control board, which calls for a hired professional. However, if your dehumidifier is in the midrange of prices, we suggest you buy a new unit altogether rather than paying to fix yours.
Tip: If you're looking for recommendations, some companies with diverse collections of dehumidifier parts for you to buy are Danby, Frigidaire, and Aprilaire.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, if your dehumidifier isn't collecting water, that could be the result of several malfunctions in different parts. You can put your hands on the faulty part by following our instructions. Afterward, you can either replace that part, hire a professional if the job entails working with circuits and so, or buy a new unit if the repair cost isn't worth it.
