Dehumidifiers last between three to five years. This lifespan is dependent on how you use it and how you maintain it. It’s critical to look after your dehumidifier if you want it to last as long as possible. Ensure that you change the air filters on a regular basis. Make sure that the condensing coils and exhaust grilles are clean, and that the water bucket is empty and clean.
Dehumidifier Warranty Review
We have looked at 34 products and the average warranty of a dehumidifier is 2.84 years. So our recommendation is that you buy a dehumidifier with at least a 3-year warranty but preferably a 5-year warranty.
Dehumidifier Types And Warranty
Refrigerant dehumidifier
These units work on the same principles as a refrigerator, hence the refrigerant type name, and work by condensing moisture from the air.
Moisture content is pulled into the device and driven over a cold evaporator coil, causing cooling below the due point temperature and condensation. The water can be collected in a drain tank or simply discharged through a pipe, while the dry air is blown out.
Here are some examples of durable dehumidifier refrigerants:
Desiccant dehumidifier
This type of dehumidifier works by absorbing moisture directly from the atmosphere over time using absorbent desiccant materials (usually advanced silica gel).
The more mechanical type works by pulling in air, passing it through a rotor containing moisture-absorbing desiccant material, and then releasing the dry air back into the atmosphere once the water has been removed.
The silica gel employed in this situation is generally recyclable, meaning that once saturated, it may be dried out with heat and then utilized to gather more moisture.
These work well as basement dehumidifiers, as well as for crawl space because they can handle low temperatures
In general, the refrigerant type has a lengthy lifespan, lasting for a long period of time before eventually failing. A good unit should last at least a year, though it may live longer depending on the make and quality since some can survive up to five years.
The desiccant kind, on the other hand, has a significantly longer lifespan than the refrigerant since its system contains fewer moving parts. The only big replacement you’d have to deal with on a regular basis is the purchase of new silica gel when the old ones run out. [1]
Here are some of the best reliable desiccant dehumidifiers on the market.
Dehumidifier Lifecycle
A dehumidifier goes through four stages in its lifespan.
- Buy – when you buy your dehumidifier, it is new and at its peak of efficiency. It will run but the moment you start to use it begins its decline
- Maintain- As you use your dehumidifier, it will need maintenance and cleaning. This helps to keep it working efficiently and to last longer. However, it is still declining.
- Fix- There may come a time when your dehumidifier stops working. It could need recharging or repairing. You can do this yourself or get an HVAC specialist to do it for you. But you need to weigh whether repairing is worth it or replacing is a better option. More cost-effective.
- Replace- After some time of use and maintenance, your device will reach its full decline. Here due to wear and tear, it may begin to break down and need repairs. It will no longer be worth repairing and it will be time to let it go and buy a new one.
Factors That Affect The Lifespan Of A Dehumidifier
The factors that affect how long a dehumidifier last include:
Run per day
A dehumidifier should run until an ideal RH; Relative Humidity of about 50% is achieved. You need to give the dehumidifier enough time to work. The amount of moisture in your room, the room, size, and the size or capacity of your dehumidifier are factors that come into play. These factors plus ventilation determine how long you should run your dehumidifier.
It is possible to run your dehumidifier continuously but once you reach your relative humidity, you should switch it off. Continuous use can wear down your device.
- Level of maintenance
When a unit is used every day all year, you wouldn’t expect it to endure as long as one that is only used annually. Cleaning and filter changes should be done on a regular basis to ensure that your machine lasts as long as possible.
If you neglect the maintenance of your device it will deteriorate a lot faster especially with a lot of use.
Why Do Dehumidifiers Stop Working?
Maintenance
If you do not conduct regular maintenance on your dehumidifier it will wear down quickly. Without cleaning, the device will clog up with dirt and the performance will drop.
Damaged Capacitor
If your dehumidifier isn’t working well, there could be a problem with the compressor circuit’s capacitor. To remove moisture from the air, the compressor circulates the refrigerant through the unit, which accumulates in the bucket. The compressor will not run if the capacitor fails. The overload device frequently trips, which is a sign that the capacitor is defective. A professional technician can test the capacitor to see if it is faulty.
Damaged Overload
If your dehumidifier isn’t collecting water despite the room temperature being above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, the dehumidifier compressor is most likely broken. This part can fail for a variety of causes, one of which is a malfunctioning overload device. The overload is a compressor component that prevents the motor from being destroyed. The compressor will not work if the overload is not working, which means no water will be collected. A multimeter can be used to check for continuity in the overload. When the device is powered by extension cables that are too long or too little for the unit, this part frequently fails.
Damaged Fan Motor
The fan motor could be an issue if your dehumidifier isn’t collecting water despite the room temperature being above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. To protect the evaporator coils from icing up, the fan motor keeps air moving across them. Check to see if the air is coming through the grille to troubleshoot this dehumidifier element. Inspect the fan cover and evaporator coils to ensure they aren’t clogged by dust and debris if there is no or very little air blowing. Check that the blower wheel is correctly attached to the motor shaft and that the fan can move freely. The fan motor may rotate slowly or hum but not, indicating that it needs to be replaced. You can view the fan by operating the unit in fan-only mode but do so with caution.
Damaged ECB or PBC Assembly
Even though the room temperature is over 65 degrees Fahrenheit, your dehumidifier may not be collecting water because the electronic control board or PCB assembly is not effectively managing the compressor and fan motor. Modern dehumidifiers have a control board that employs sensors to monitor the atmospheric humidity and tell the compressor to start. To troubleshoot this item, use a multimeter to check the voltage on the output relays to ensure the relays and sensors are functional. [2]
Blocked and loose parts
First, make sure the filter is clean since a clogged filter can prevent air from entering the dehumidifier.
For maximum dehumidifier performance, the filter must be cleaned regularly. A clogged or dirty filter forces the dehumidifier to work harder, which makes water extraction more challenging and increases operating costs.
After that, inspect the dehumidifier’s fan. Make sure the fan isn’t obstructed and can spin freely. To keep the fan secure during dehumidifier operation, make sure all of the fan screws are tight. Make sure the fan motor is running correctly as well.
A dehumidifier that isn’t the right size
Make sure the dehumidifier you’re using is the proper size for space. A dehumidifier that is too tiny for the area will not be effective in lowering the humidity level. A dehumidifier that is far too large for space will, on the other hand, be overkill, and you may anticipate it to extract more moisture than it can.
The air is too dry
If the air is excessively dry, your dehumidifier will have a hard time extracting moisture. This is especially true after employing a feature like Laundry Mode, which can reduce humidity levels to as low as 30% to 35%. When the air is this dry, the dehumidifier has very little moisture to extract.
Suppose your dehumidifier doesn’t include an LED display panel that shows the current humidity level. In that case, it’s a good idea to invest in a cheap damp meter, so you always know what your humidity level is.
Humidistat that isn’t working properly
A humidistat is a device that regulates the humidity levels in a dehumidifier. When the humidistat fails, the dehumidifier does not receive the information it needs to function effectively, resulting in the dehumidifier not collecting water.
Water extraction can also be harmed by a malfunctioning PCB or electrical control board.
You should take your dehumidifier to a local service center or contact the dehumidifier manufacturer to address repair or warranty issues in each of these circumstances.
Water Hose Is Blocked
When using a continuous drainage system, make sure the hose runs straight away from the dehumidifier with no kinks.
Because most continuous drainage systems are gravity-fed, the hose must go straight down to the sink or drain. Make sure the hose isn’t clogged, as this will prevent water from draining freely. [3]
Dehumidifier Maintenance Tips
It’s critical to look after your dehumidifier if you want it to last as long as possible.
- Ensure that the air filters are changed on a regular basis,
- Ensure the condensing coils and exhaust grilles are clean,
- Ensure the water bucket is empty and clean. These are important things to do before putting your dehumidifier away for the winter, so it’ll be ready to use when you need it again in the spring.
It’s time to repair or improve your dehumidifier if it doesn’t extract water from the air when it runs, or if it stops running for no apparent reason.
Cost To Run A Dehumidifier
Enter the dehumidifier amps and cost per kwh and click the CALCULATE BUTTON.
For example, 2 amps and 0.10 or ten cents per kwh for the cost of electricity.
| Current in amps | - |
|---|---|
| Voltage | - |
| Power Factor | - |
| Watts | - |
| Kilo Watts | - |
| Cost kWh | - |
| Cost per Hr | - |
| Estimated Cost To Operate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time On (Hrs) | Daily | Weekly | Monthly |
| 4 | - | - | - |
| 8 | - | - | - |
| 12 | - | - | - |
| 16 | - | - | - |
| 24 | - | - | - |
A larger dehumidifier is cheaper to run as compared to smaller one.
| Brand Name | Size | Cost Example – Electric | Cost Per Pint |
| Examples | (Pints) | (8 hrs a day for 1 month) | |
| LKNJLL Small Dehumidifier | Small | 2.59 | |
| Ivation 13 Pint Dehumidifier | 13 Pint | 11.26 | $0.87 |
| Meaco 17 Pint Dehumidifier | 17 Pint | 15.55 | $0.91 |
| COLZER 50 Pint Dehumidifier | 50 Pint | 9.22 | $0.18 |
| Honeywell 70 Pint Dehumidifier | 70 Pint | 27.36 | $0.39 |
| Honeywell 90 Pint Dehumidifier | 90 Pint | 15.26 | $0.17 |
| Aprilaire 95 Pint Dehumidifier | 95 Pint | 23.04 | $0.24 |
| BlueDri 150 Pint Dehumidifier | 150 Pint | 21.02 | $0.14 |
| CADPXS 180 Pint Dehumidifier | 180 Pint | 16.99 | $0.09 |
Choosing A Dehumidifier
Choosing the right dehumidifier for your needs is important. Remember to look for the right size, the right type and pick a good brand that is reliable. We have reviews for quite a number of dehumidifiers. This should help you to decide.
Visit Dehumidifier Brands.
Final Thoughts
As we have seen, buying the most reliable dehumidifier may not be the only way to keep your device longer. How you use it also plays a very big role. There may not be a dehumidifier that lasts forever but there are some very good brands on the market. All you have to do is take care of it and it will take care of you!
