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A dehumidifier controls humid conditions in your home. If you feel your dehumidifier is blowing out hot air, it might be something or nothing. Your dehumidifier may be blowing hot air if the air taken in has not chilled. As a result, the air returned to the room is warmer than it should be. Turn off the dehumidifier, clean it, and then turn it back on to address the problem.
Understanding How A Dehumidifier Works To Identify When It Is Not Working Properly
How Does A Dehumidifier Work?
A dehumidifier operates by using a fan to suck warm air currents into its coils. Warm air condenses when it passes through the machine’s refrigerated coils. , Condensation remains inside the dehumidifier.
As the condensation collects, water droplets form. The water falls into a dehumidifier-connected storage tank or drains away. Then, through the other side of the machine, cooler, drier air returned into your home.
Your dehumidifier should be able to reduce the level of moisture in the air. A comfortable relative humidity range is 30 to 50 percent . Many dehumidifiers come with a meter that measures the relative humidity. You can the adjust the moisture range to the desired percentage. [1]
How Does A Dehumidifier Help Indoors?
A dehumidifier is one of the most helpful household appliance invented. These are the benefits:
- Controls moisture levels: High humidity levels can lead to structural issues over time. Condensation can accumulate, resulting in mildew, mold, warping, and degradation. Long-term dampness and heavy wetness can even destroy furniture. Insulation is used to improve a home’s energy efficiency. Sealing homes reduces air circulation leading to some of the worst problems. Signs of high humidity include: peeling wallpaper, stains, and a musty or moldy stench. A dehumidifier may be necessary to avoid further damage.
- Helps with Allergies: Many allergens and allergy triggers like humid settings. Allergens like dust mites, mold, and mildew like moisture. Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements, are especially prone to moisture. These moist areas are allergy-causing locations. Allergens spread throughout a property due to poor air circulation. A dehumidifier can help reduce the moisture that encourages allergy formation. A dehumidifier improves air quality and prevents the growth of bacteria & viruses.
- Reduces risk of pest infestation: Pests, like spiders and roaches, like damp conditions. Allergens aren’t the only unpleasant guests who enjoy moist environments. If you see creepy crawly visitors in your home, a dehumidifier might be able to keep them away. Pay attention to the rooms with the most pest activity. If theses places high levels of humidity, you may have discovered the source of the problem.
- Improves the comfort level: Homes with correct humidity levels are more pleasant. Living in a relative humidity range of 30-50% feels good, especially in tropical areas. Use a dehumidifier to improve indoor air quality. Your air temperature will also be cooler.
- Reduces energy cost: Dehumidifiers save you money on electricity. Your air conditioner runs better with drier air. Your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard. Maintain a comfortable temperature and reduce wear and strain on your cooling system. Dehumidifiers that are Electricity STAR certified save even more money. These appliances consume 15% less energy to operate. Larger dehumidifiers are more expensive up front. But these appliances use less total energy, saving you money in the long run.
My Dehumidifier Is Blowing Hot Air. Is It Supposed To Do That?
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A dehumidifier blowing out hot air is not something to worry about. We have looked at how a dehumidifier works. And, it’s normal for hot air to be produced.
Your dehumidifier should be coll a room or the temperature should be a little warmer. Dehumidified cold air travels through the hot evaporator coils. The air blowing out should be near room temperature or a bit warmer. If your dehumidifier is eliminating water, it is working.
Can a dehumidifier get hot? Yes, if air flow to the compressor or fan is inadequate, your appliance can get hot. The compressor may overheat if your dehumidifier operates nonstop in wet circumstances. You may need a larger capacity dehumidifier. Most dehumidifiers work at temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit or above.
Dehumidifiers, to be clear, work to remove moisture from the air rather than to cool it. The air compressor on the dehumidifier generates some added heat. As a result, the air returning to the room may be slightly warmer than when it entered, usually by 10 to 15 degrees. [2]
What are the signs that my dehumidifier is malfunctioning?
If a dehumidifier is malfunctioning, there is no mistaking the symptoms. It will show you that all is not well. Here are some common signs. [3]
Abruptly shutting down
A dehumidifier’s electronics are sealed to keep moisture out. Excessive moisture in the unit as a result of condensation may get by the waterproofing.
Check to see if the display is operating normally. A flickering display points to a problem with the unit’s circuit board.
When a dehumidifier is running its normal to hear the continuous hum of the compressor. Dehumidifiers vary in their noise levels.
But, if the hum suddenly stops, you may have a problem. The issue may be with the humidity sensor or the circuit board.
The humidity sensor is not damaged if the display shows the correct humidity.
Unwanted sounds
It’s not normal to hear intermittent buzzing or clicking for a few seconds every few minutes. A malfunctioning compressor or compressor components are most likely to blame.
Dehumidifiers typically have a thermostat. This temperature sensor shuts the appliance off it gets too hot. If this sensor malfunctions, the device may continue to run and build up heat.
Other electronic components in the machine, such as capacitors, can fail at any time.
You won’t figure out the problem unless you have specialized gear, like an vom; voltage ohm, and amp meter.
If you do have an vom meter, test one component at a time until you figure out what’s wrong.
The device will not switch on at all.
Each dehumidifier has a couple of switches. Switches are safety features. Two examples are the float switch and the bucket switch. Switches prevent the machine from working if something is wrong.
If the float or bucket switch do not trip the unit may continue to collect water . Water may overflow from the collecting tray or bucket.
These switches can break. But they are inexpensive and straightforward to replace.
Coils don’t cool
If the unit is on, but the cold coils aren’t getting cold, the refrigeration system may be leaking. Check the cooling coils which are usually located behind the filter.
If they aren’t cold, the refrigerant has escaped from the device. If this is the case, it may be time to invest in a new dehumidifier.
Troubleshooting A Hot Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier running hot is not the ideal situation. So to try and figure it out, look out for the following: [4]
Is it the Refrigerant?
A cooling coil, like those seen in air conditioners used in a dehumidifier. To cool the ring or surface that air flows over, dehumidifiers need refrigerant. Air moisture condenses on the surface and drains into the water reservoir.
If ice is forming on your dehumidifier it may be losing refrigerant. The air in that leaking location is substantially cooled when the refrigerant escapes. The dehumidifier surface will not be able to cool once the refrigerant has run out.
At this point, the coils will be at room temperature. The unit will be hot if the compressor or motors are running without cooling. Not all dehumidifiers have feature warning lights or error codes. Look at the controls to see if your appliance is low on refrigerant or is overheating or both.
If your appliance has an automatic shutdown feature it will turn off. If it does not have an automatic shutdown feature it will never turn off.
Turning off the dehumidifier is the solution. Contact a service technician to repair the refrigerant leak and recharge the system.
Could it be my Air Filter?
If there isn’t enough airflow, the dehumidifier can get hot. A clogged air vent or a dirty air filter is the most common cause. Clean or replace the clogged filter.
A lack of airflow can forces the unit to work harder. A hard working appliance can heat up and wear out faster. Reposition the unit if the incoming air flow is in the way of furniture or the wall.
Check the temperature of the unit. If it runs hot, there is a mechanical problem. Hard working components rub together and generate added friction and heat. Contact a service technician to check your appliance.
How do I check exhaust temperature?
You can use a thermometer to check temperature. As long as the dehumidifier is taking moist air and collecting water it is working. Warm or hot air coming from beneath or behind it is typical and part of the dehumidification process.
When the machine is dehumidifying, the compressor produces heat in the process. To prevent the compressor from overheating, air flows in and then out. After the device has attained the desired humidity, the warm air will turn off.
When the dehumidifier compressor is in defrost or fan mode, the fan continues to run. The defrosting process use room air. The unit will send cold air into the room when it is in defrost mode. A thermostat turns on and off defrost mode depending on the time and temperature. [5]
Is the dehumidifier hot?
Heat may be due to electrical and mechanical issues.
Electrical issues in a dehumidifier might cause it to overheat. A dehumidifier has a compressor to cool the ring or surface over which the air flows. A compressor can operate on a ongoing basis. If a compressor is straining for too long it can overheat and can seize.
Check the dehumidifier’s run-time indicator if it has one. If it’s been operating for a while and is getting hot, note any error codes and then switch it off. Allow enough time for it to cool down before removing it.
There are also other electrical components in a dehumidifier. Because dehumidifiers contain both water and electricity, moisture-induced shorts are a distinct possibility. At any point, these components can short out or burn out.
Unplug your appliance. You might try to troubleshoot the difficulties by opening the machine. Most individuals lack the appropriate knowledge. Cautiously locate the source of the issue. For examples:
- A capacitor in the unit can fail leading to heat, fire, or an electrical short.
- Refrigerant may heat up as soon as you switch it on due to an electrical problem.
- The wiring or control board may short
- The motor housing may also heat up due to a mechanical issue.
- A faulty control board can give you an error code.
Or, you can replace the device. Dehumidifiers are inexpensive. So, replacing components nay cost the same or more than buying a new unit
While phoning to get the equipment serviced, you should turn it off and unplug it.
Is the setting right?
Your dehumidifier will blow hot air if it is on fan mode. Fan mode isn’t configured to chill or dehumidify the air. In this scenario, turning on the dehumidifier will address the problem.
The water bucket may be full. The appliance may still move air but not dehumidify it if the reservoir is full. Empty the collection bucket. Reboot the machine and check whether it begins to blow cooler, dryer air. [6]
Final Words
If you find that your dehumidifier is blowing hot air and you are unsure what to do, contact a service provider. Try the tips in the article. You should be able to figure it out. It may be time to replace your unit if all else fails.
