Dehumidifier

Why does a dehumidifier freeze up? Is there a way to fix it?

A dehumidifier is any device that is used to remove moisture from the air. This device is used in places such as houses, buildings, and basements to remove excess moisture to prevent the growth of mold and mildew and the damaging effects that moisture can cause.

But similar to other appliances, these dehumidifiers are not impervious to errors and damages. In some instances, they suffer from internal issues. Such an example is freezing, which is somewhat annoying, as it stops the device from running at all. It ruins the purpose of the dehumidifier, which is to help you with your moisture problems.

But what makes a dehumidifier freeze up anyway? 

Why Does A Dehumidifier Freeze Up

There are multiple reasons why a dehumidifier can sustain frozen evaporator coils. Here are some of the common ones.

Cause #1: Faulty Humidity Control

One of the indicative signs that your dehumidifier has frozen up is an icy coil. Just like air conditioners, dehumidifiers have coils, too. If they are icing already and that your room temperature is higher than 65 degrees Fahrenheit, the problem should lie in the humidistat. 

Simply put, a humidistat is a device that senses the relative humidity in the room and controls the dehumidifier accordingly. Most humidistats are electronic devices that make use of a hygrometer to measure the relative humidity in the room. On instances where the humidistat does fail in identifying the relative humidity accurately, the dehumidifier’s compressor circuit will run continuously. As a result, the coils would ice eventually. 

Fix:

One way of dealing with a faulty humidistat is replacing it. But that’s the drastic measure. Surely enough, you can find compatible humidistats for your dehumidifier based on its specifications.

Another way of going over this matter is by rotating the control knob of the humidistat. Before you do so, make sure the dehumidifier is unplugged. While rotating, check the contact set while it’s opening or closing. Once you detect that the contact doesn’t respond while adjusting the control, then you need to replace the humidistat.

Cause #2: Fan Blade Or Blower Wheel

Similar to the symptoms stated above, dehumidifiers that have frozen coils could be a possible symptom of problematic airflow. Of course, you should consider this situation if the room temperature is higher than 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Airflow is one of the primary aspects of a dehumidifier, as it conducts air cycling to remove the moisture in the air. 

For a dehumidifier to function properly, it should have access to abundant airflow. Specifically, air should pass seamlessly in the dehumidifier’s coils and evaporator to ensure that the device won’t get frozen. 

You will know if this is the problem by checking the grille area of the dehumidifier. Normally, you can feel a lot of air blowing on that part. But if you don’t feel anything at all, even if the filter is clean, you should do some troubleshooting. 

Fix:

Assess the coils and see if there is no dirt or lint build-up on them. If these elements are present, you should clean them right away. Of course, you should check the fan blades or blower wheels, too. Look for any signs of damages or restrictions that prevent them from functioning properly. Cleaning them should alleviate the problem in most cases. But if the issue is mechanical, then you should just replace them.

In checking the blower wheels, make sure that they are affixed to the motor shaft properly. Otherwise, it will cause problems to the dehumidifier. 

Cause #3: Bi-Metal Thermostat

Another reason why dehumidifier coils freeze is a malfunctioning bi-metal thermostat. Now, not all dehumidifiers have this component. So if your existing unit doesn’t have this component, then it is not the culprit for the problem. 

A bi-metal thermostat works by thawing the ice that clads the evaporator coils. It is an essential component that works best if you are experiencing high humidity levels or cold temperatures. The said thermostat checks the temperature of the evaporator. If it is low, then it will impede the power going to the compressor while letting the fan run. In this way, the air will pass through the evaporator coils and melt the ice on them. 

Naturally, if the bi-metal thermostat is not working, nothing will regulate the defrosting of the coils. 

Fix:

It is not that easy to determine if the bi-metal thermostat is working properly or not. After all, its operation depends on the external temperature. If the thermostat has positive contact with the coil while the coils are frozen, then you should suspect that the device is faulty. At this point, you need to replace it to ensure that your dehumidifier will function again.

Cause #4: Temperature Sensor

If the temperature sensor of the dehumidifier is not working properly, there’s a good chance that it will cause the coils to freeze over. Many refrigerant dehumidifiers have sensors that detect the evaporator coils’ temperature. This particular data is taken up by the control board and is being used to regulate the performance of the fan motor circuits and compressor. 

When the sensor is defective, it will not be able to detect the temperature or relative humidity properly. As a result, it would cause the circuit to remain on full power, even if it is no longer necessary, causing the coils to ice. 

Fix:

This problem can be fixed by using a multimeter. Use it to diagnose if the sensor is functioning or not. If it’s not in its correct condition anymore, you should simply replace it. 

Meanwhile, other electric-control dehumidifiers usually generate a particular fault code every time their sensors are malfunctioning. You should check if the sensor has a proper connection to the control board. 

Conclusion

Knowing why a dehumidifier freezes up is as vital as learning how to take care of it. By understanding the mechanisms of a dehumidifier, troubleshooting it would become easier for you. You would be able to determine if the device requires cleaning or fixing every time it is malfunctioning. 

I hope that you find this guide useful. For other related inquiries, feel free to ask me in the comment section below.

Does a dehumidifier help with cooling?

You have to admit that dehumidifiers are one of the best inventions of the century. (Even though they are not a new invention, they are still amazing). 

Dehumidifiers’ main function is to remove moisture from the air. They do this by using either the desiccant or refrigerant methods. Both of these methods work by drawing moisture from the air and then heating it, so the moisture is released as water. Most of the time, this water is collected and drained and can be reused for other things.

Essentially, dehumidifiers are designed to deal with high levels of humidity. After all, the latter causes unwanted effects such as mold growth, structural damages, and other health issues. 

However, it is already a common notion that these dehumidifiers can also cool a particular area–similar to what air conditioners do. But is there truth to this matter?

Dehumidifiers vs. Air Conditioners

To know the answer to this curious question, we have to understand first if an air conditioner is similar to a dehumidifier. Or if the latter can be used as an alternative for traditional AC systems. 

Interestingly enough, air conditioners and dehumidifiers are both appliances used to keep a home cool in the summer. But do you know the difference between these two appliances? 

Air conditioners dehumidify the air to cool the temperature of a given space. But instead of warming the air, they are cooling it. Cool air has weaker water carrying capacity than warm air, making it not prone to moisture accumulation. Unlike dehumidifiers, air conditioners have a partial external setup; the end of its body is placed outside. This design allows the air conditioner to take warm air and pass it to the coils.

As the air is passing the condenser coil, its warmth is ejected outside. The resulting output is cool air that circulates around your room or space. 

Dehumidifiers offer the same mechanism as air conditioners. They take the air inside the room and dry it. In this way, the moisture contained in the air will be converted into water. Similar to air conditioners, dehumidifiers release cool air. However, instead of cooling, dehumidifiers dry the air so that it would be comfortable and free from excess humidity. 

Does A Dehumidifier Help With Cooling?

Based on the explanation above, dehumidifiers are capable of cooling effects. It may not actually cool an area the way an air conditioner does, but it does help in reducing the temperature. 

Keep in mind that warm air is humid. Air is composed of nitrogen, oxygen, and other gases, as well as tiny dust and water droplets (humidity). When air is warm, it can hold more moisture. But warm air is less dense than cool air, so it rises. As it rises, the water condenses to form small droplets of water. This is the reason that the air is humid. As the air cools, it becomes denser and falls to the ground, which is why you feel colder when you move from a hot room to a cooler space.

Also, as you have noticed, the air during summer or any hot days is moist to wet. Temperature plays a factor in expanding the air’s capacity to hold water vapor. 

Every time the temperature is high, it is often difficult to feel dry. You get sweaty, but it doesn’t dry off because of the existing humidity in your environment. It is impossible for your sweat to evaporate quickly. Oppositely, when you enter a room that is fully air-conditioned,  you’ll notice that it is difficult for you to sweat. 

In short, when you dehumidify a room, things feel cooler. Dehumidifiers are often used together with air conditioners to amplify the coolness of a given space without making things odorous and musty. It is easy to experience the best of both worlds if they are operating side by side. 

What Is Considered Highly Humid?

Humidity is a measurement of the amount of water vapor contained in the air. It is usually expressed as a percentage and can be calculated by using a hygrometer. When the air contains more water vapor than is needed to saturate the air, it is called high humidity.

High humidity is considered a problem because the air becomes very uncomfortable and has a tendency to make people feel hot and irritable. When the air is saturated with water vapor, the air is said to be at 100% humidity. 

However, highly humid air starts at around 65%. At this point, you will feel the symptoms of humidity, which include swampiness and discomforts. Meanwhile, humidity is said to be “correct” if it is in the range of 40% to 60%. 

How To Know If You Need A Dehumidifier?

You can immediately tell if you have humidity problems if the following symptoms are present in your home or building:

• Clammy air – If the air is humid, you will notice that your ambiance feels moist. This makes the air feel less comfortable, especially to the skin. You will sense stickiness. 

• Fogging windows – When your windows become foggy, it could be a sign that there is too much humidity in the air. Water vapor cannot escape outside, so they tend to get trapped in the surface of glasses and windows. 

• Musty smell – Musty odors are caused by mold and mildew buildup due to excess moisture in the air. This can be caused by high humidity, which may come from leaks, poor ventilation, or the use of humidifiers. 

• Mold growth – Did you know that mold growth on walls and floors is often a sign of high humidity? If you’ve noticed a small area of mold on a wall or floor, it’s possible that the humidity levels in your home are too high. While it’s true that you can get mold on your walls even if the humidity levels are too low, the condition is most common in homes with higher levels of humidity.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, it is true that dehumidifiers can provide cooling effects to a particular area. After all, it operates the same way as air conditioners, albeit with some distinct nuances. 

Do you have other questions related to humidifiers and dehumidifiers? Ask me in the comment section below!

Where to place a dehumidifier in basements?

A dehumidifier is a unit that is used to remove moisture from a room or area. These types of machines can be used in basements to reduce the chances of a mold problem and can also be used in your home to help reduce humidity and prevent associated problems.

Of course, these dehumidifiers are essential in spaces where humidity is constantly an issue–such as in your basement, crawl spaces, and garages. And truth to be told, having a dehumidifier can surely save you from unwanted expenses due to health issues and structural problems. 

Your basement can be one of the most humid spots in your house. Because of that, it is always justifiable that this part of your home has a dedicated dehumidifier that operates whenever it is needed. 

Why Is My Basement Humid?

This is a question that many people ask, and it is worth noting that such a problem should be solved. 

You see, a basement should never have humidity problems, especially if it has been constructed properly. But sometimes, external factors do come into play, causing the area’s humidity to spike up.

Basements are some of the most humid rooms in a home, with humidity levels typically reaching 65 to 100 percent. This problem can be caused by a number of factors, including poor ventilation, a lack of insulation, excessive moisture in the ground surrounding the house, and condensation. Specifically, the following can cause your basement to get a little bit wet.

• Water leaks – Many times, this humidity is the result of a water leak in the basement. You should inspect if this is actually the issue since you might need professional help to deal with it. Water leaks in the bathroom, kitchen, and other plumbing parts can increase the humidity level of enclosed spaces such as basements. 

• Groundwater and rain – Your basement can be susceptible to high relative humidity due to incorrect grading. Ideally, the ground of your house should lead the water away from you, not toward you. If the water drains in the direction of your property, flooding and humidity problems can occur.

• Malfunctioning downspouts and gutters – These utilities work by directing rainwater away from the ground of your house. If they are damaged or not working properly, rainwater will eventually accumulate in your property’s foundation. The more water there is in the foundation, the bigger the chance that your basement will experience humidity issues. 

• Foundation cracks – If the foundation of your basement has cracks, groundwater will eventually find its way inside your home. Sometimes, it is the water that causes these cracks. This is especially true if the floor joists are not attached to your basement’s walls properly. 

Condensation – Basement condensation can be a problem in any environment, although the cold and dampness of winter make it especially likely. The condensation that forms on the walls and ceilings of a basement can be unsightly, and it can also damage the materials used to build the basement walls. And if excessive water makes its way into the air ducts and other components of a house, it can also cause significant damage to the structure of the house. 

Where To Place A Dehumidifier In Basement?

Just like any other living space, basements have humidity. The low air circulation in the basement can lead to high humidity levels, which can help the growth of mold, mildew, and other fungi. Some basements are naturally humid and don’t have any ventilation. If you’re thinking about buying a dehumidifier, where should you place it in your basement?

Dehumidifiers can be placed in different areas of your basement, and you can decide whether you want to place them in the basement or keep it in another room. As we mentioned, most basements are naturally humid, and they don’t have any ventilation. This means that it’s not practical to place a dehumidifier in an area where it doesn’t get enough room for it to absorb and circulate air.

The basement is an ample, open space that requires a steady flow of air. The dehumidifier needs to be in a place where it can get that flow of air. Ideally, it should be placed along a wall that faces an open window or door. That way, when the dehumidifier is on, the air will flow through the dehumidifier and into the basement. 

It’s best to keep the dehumidifier in a place where it can be easily accessed. The dehumidifier will need cleaning at least once a season, so it’s best to make it accessible from a doorway or window.

Of course, you need to place the dehumidifier in a spot where it has direct access to a power outlet. In this way, it can operate seamlessly and continuously. If your dehumidifier has an automatic draining feature, it is better that it is also within reach of a drainage outlet. 

Signs Of Humidity Problems In The Basement

Basements are damp places, and that’s not just because of the humidity that comes from the outside. The air in your basement is naturally humid, and that humidity is what makes your basement smell musty and feel cold. 

If you’re looking for signs that your basement is highly humid, look for distinct dampness in the air and the walls, as well as poor air circulation in the room. Look also for mold stains on the walls and a layer of dust that seems to cling to the floor and the surfaces of furniture.

Here are some of the specific signs that you need a dehumidifier in your basement:

• Visible water on the floor
• Moist and clammy air
• Condensation in floors and walls during summer
• Wood and carpet damages
• Mildew, mold, and odor
• Decaying wooden columns, sill plates, and joists
• Stains on wall covers
• Spalling of concrete parts

A foolproof method to know if there’s a humidity problem in your basement is the use of a hygrometer. A hygrometer is used to measure the humidity in a room. It provides an accurate measurement of the relative humidity of a space. Some dehumidifiers have built-in humidity sensors. But if your unit doesn’t have it, then buying an inexpensive hygrometer can solve the problem. 

Conclusion

Excess moisture can cause major damage to your home, so when you feel the dampness in the basement, you need to take action fast before mold starts to grow. Luckily, a dehumidifier can help you mitigate the effects of high relative humidity. And knowing where to place a dehumidifier in basements can undoubtedly improve the dehumidification results. 

Do you have any questions related to dehumidifiers? Feel free to ask me in the comment section below.

How do I keep my garage dry and free from humidity?

For most of us, the garage is one of the most important parts of our homes. Aside from being a reliable storage place, it is also the ideal spot for weekend warriors to do their projects. 

However, the conduciveness of a garage disappears the moment its structural integrity is ruined. Humidity is one of the common problems for many garages, especially those located in highly humid areas. 

To deal with this problem, I will explain some of the things you can do to keep your favorite place dry and comfortable. 

Knowing The Humidity Level In Your Garage

First of all, you may want to know if the wetness in your garage is caused by excess humidity. After all, the more humid the air is, the more water it carries. 

There are physical manifestations of humidity. Stains in the wall, peeled wallpapers, and rotting wooden furniture are among the signs that you should watch out for. However, it may take a while before they start appearing, even if your place is already humid. 

To stop yourself from guessing from time to time, you should use a hygrometer instead. A hygrometer is a device that measures the relative humidity of a given area. It works efficiently in measuring humidity, so having one is truly beneficial. Besides, it is not that expensive. You can consider it a worthwhile investment. 

Ways To Reduce The Humidity In Your Garage

If you deem that humidity is the very reason why your garage is wet, there are various things that you can do to resolve the problem.

• Enable ventilation – A garage is closed most of the time. It is natural for the air inside it to get trapped, not being circulated properly. It causes the humid air to stay inside. Fortunately, you can optimize the airflow in your garage by opening its door, windows, and vents. If you noticed that the air is stale, you could use fans to let it move outside. 

• Reduce the clutter – As I mentioned earlier, the garage is an ideal place for storing your household items and other utilities. Sometimes, we don’t care, even if we fill the garage with numerous belongings. Doing so should not be a problem had it not been for the humidity problems that it causes. The more cramped a room is, the more restricted the flow of air becomes, causing moisture to increase over time. 

Organizing your items and putting them on shelves can resolve this matter for you. Free as much space as possible to ensure that air moves freely in that area. Also, you may want to move most of your items away from the ground since it also causes problems in airflow.

• Dehumidifiers – A dehumidifier is an appliance that removes moisture from the air in a given space. It can be used to improve air quality, especially in rooms where people spend a lot of time, such as the bedroom or living room. It can reduce the chance of bacteria and mold growing in the home, which can improve your health and help your allergies.

How To Prevent High Humidity In The Garage

Combating moisture is not your only solution to your wet garage problems. As the adage goes, prevention is better than cure. You may have a functional dehumidifier, but it would really be best if you can introduce some measures that would decrease the moisture level in your garage. 

• Inspect the windows and doors – Moisture can enter your garage anytime, especially if there are many seams. Most of the time, you will not notice these things, as they are too small. For instance, you should check if your windows and garage are fitted with their frames. If there are gaps, moisture can enter. 

Furthermore, you should also check the gaskets. If they are already decaying, they might cause an increase in internal humidity in your garage. You will know if you need to replace the gaskets if you rub your hands on them. If you spot dark residues, you have to install new ones right away. 

• Optimize ventilation – Again, ventilation is one of the easiest solutions in preventing moisture growth. If you don’t want your garage to remain wet all the time, you have to ventilate it smartly and properly. There are times you should shut off your garage and times where you need to open it. Specifically, you need to allow the air to enter your garage every time the humidity is high. By doing so, you are letting the air carry the moisture away from the area.

• Unblock drainage – Plumbing and drainage are essential for controlling humidity in homes. Make sure that no items are hindering the drains in your garage. Don’t forget to check the gutters under the roof’s garage. If there are obstructions, remove them. Otherwise, water will accumulate, resulting in leakages. 

Also, don’t forget to dry your car every time you park it in your garage. The water collected from precipitation will evaporate inside, causing an increase in humidity. 

• Check for leakages – Humidity can also be caused by leakages. Check if the ceiling of your garage doesn’t have any signs of leaking, such as water stains and cracks in the walls. Also, keep in mind that you inspect the ducts of your AC in your garage (if you have one installed). A leaking duct can disrupt the temperature, which, in turn, may disrupt your garage’s natural humidity. 

How Do I Keep My Garage Dry

Now that you have removed the sources of excess moisture in your garage, it is time that you learn how to keep it that way. 

• Install a heater – It would really be best if your garage has its own HVAC system. In this way, it is easier for you to regulate its temperature and combat the possible moisture increase. Keeping the temperature under control will regulate condensation, after all. If you are going to install a heater, make sure that you opt for a natural gas or electric model. Propane heaters tend to generate water vapor as moisture.

• Use a dehumidifier – A dehumidifier is a great way to control humidity in your garage. Generally, humidity is best at around 40% to 60% for a home. As long as you have a dehumidifier, you no longer have to fuss about moisture problems in your garage.

Conclusion

Keeping your garage dry is one of your tasks as a homeowner. You have to make sure that this part of your house remains free from moisture and watery problems. Keep in mind that some of your precious belongings, such as your cars and tools, are stored there. If you let them get exposed to constant moisture, they will eventually get damaged.

Do you have other questions in mind? Feel free to ask me in the comment section below.