If you have installed a dehumidifier in your home to reduce excess moisture from the air and create a comfortable and healthy environment. What will be the reason if it is not collecting water and working correctly? Dehumidifiers are essential to extract extra humidity, which prevents mold and bacteria growth because they thrive in high moisture. Their proper usage will give you various benefits for your health and house if you are dealing with dampness and high moisture issues. Too much humidity also irritates allergies and people with asthma by worsening conditions.
Suddenly, you find your unit is not doing its job and is not collecting water, even if it is running. So, what is the reason why a dehumidifier is not collecting water? Here, we tell you eight reasons about why your dehumidifier is working but not collecting water so you will get help and do something to solve this issue. When you understand why your model is slowing down, it is the first step to bring it to the track. There is also a chance that your dehumidifier is broken or you do not pay proper attention to its cleaning and maintenance.
Why Is My Dehumidifier Not Collecting Water?
If you want to know why your dehumidifier is not collecting water, there is no need to worry. There can be many reasons behind this issue that you do not know. Below, we discuss eight common issues that can cause a dehumidifier to not collect water properly.
8 Common Reasons Why Your Dehumidifier is Not Collecting Water:
Drainage Issues:
Improper drainage is also one of the culprits behind your dehumidifier not collecting water while running. In the drainage system, the clean pipes allow the collected moisture to pass. However, if the pipes are clogged with dust or mold, the unit cannot collect water adequately even when working, so the moisture remains in the air. Carefully clean the pipes with a pipe-cleaning brush and soapy water to eliminate drainage issues. When you regularly clean the pipes, there will be no drainage issues, and the unit will ideally collect water without any hassle.
Temperature Is Low:
Low-temperature levels can affect a dehumidifier’s effectiveness and capability to collect water. Dehumidifiers usually do not work properly at low temperatures but very effectively when the temperature is above 65 degrees Fahrenheit or at room temperature. If your room temperature is below the given temperature, the dehumidifier will not be able to extract moisture because the unit’s coils might freeze up at this temperature. This also makes the refrigerant present in the unit cooler than the outside atmosphere.
Because of cold air, the moisture condenses faster, which makes the coils freeze or cause a buildup of ice on the coils. This ice then turns into a solid block, badly affecting the dehumidifier’s performance. To avoid this problem, move your dehumidifier to a warmer place or increase the room temperature. Moreover, you can buy a unit specially built to work in low-temperature areas, which stops ice formation. Then, the unit continuously collects water without any difficulty. A desiccant dehumidifier is perfect to use in colder temperatures because it uses a drying agent to absorb moisture.
Filter Requires Maintenance:
A dirty filter can also be the reason a dehumidifier is running but not collecting water. A unit with an air filter is essential for giving you clean air that is free from air-borne particles so you can breathe comfortably. An air filter makes the unit an ideal option for people with allergies and asthma. But when this filter becomes dirty or clogged, the unit will not be able to extract moisture as the air can not flow through it.
According to Chris Michael, the filters of a dehumidifier must be maintained and cleaned every week to stop debris, dust, and other air-born particles from clogging them. Clogged filters can affect the efficiency of a unit in collecting water and extracting moisture because the unit needs to work hard, and the air flows with difficulty from the filter. To prevent this problem, you can do various things.
- You need to inspect the filter regularly and check that it is debris-free.
- If the filters are washable, wash them with warm water, soapy water, or a wet cloth. For deep cleaning, you can also use a mixture of bleach or vinegar with water.
- If the filter is reusable, carefully clean it with a vacuum. You can also use a slightly damp cloth, not wet, to remove the dirt, but then dry it completely before using it again.
- Replace the filters on time according to the manufacturer’s instructions after every 3 to 6 months.
Broken Compressor:
A compressor is an essential part of dehumidifiers, particularly compressor-based models. The purpose of a compressor is to compress and cool the refrigerant, which helps condense humidity from the surroundings and then send it to the cooling coils. But if the compressor is broken or not working properly, the whole process is disturbed, which causes problems.
A damaged compressor can not compress the refrigerant, which means that it will not be able to collect water because the coils are not cooled. When water does not collect, moisture remains in the air, creating an uncomfortable environment. To resolve compressor-based problems, you must need expert replacement and repair. An expert will diagnose and fix your dehumidifier problem to get the unit working correctly. It then begins to collect water and remove excess moisture from the air.
Overuse:
If you overuse a dehumidifier, this will also affect its working efficiency and lifespan. Everything needs a break while working because continuous operation results in a malfunction of the performance. For example, if you run the dehumidifier non-stop all the time, it will lose its ability to work, and its parts will wear out quickly. Overusing the unit will cause many issues, one of which is that your dehumidifier will not be able to collect water properly.
The parts of the dehumidifier that are responsible for condensing and water collection are also affected, such as the compressor, coils, fan, etc. To avoid this issue, you have to give your dehumidifier rest and run it at particular intervals. This will make it work more and provide you with long-term benefits. If you’re wondering why dehumidifiers are essential and how they work, check out our detailed guide on What Is a Dehumidifier Used For?
Size Of The Unit:
The size of the unit also affects its efficiency in collecting water and reducing excess moisture from the air. If you install a small unit in a spacious place, it will not be able to collect an adequate amount of water. So, always choose a suitable unit according to where you want to install it. Moreover, you have to avoid placing the unit in small places and corners; this will also decrease the efficiency of your dehumidifier and prevent it from collecting proper water. You can also read our placement guide about dehumidifiers.
Dirty Coils:
A dirty coil is another reason your humidifier isn’t collecting water properly and not dehumidifying the air. If the coils of your unit are messy, they will not be able to condense humidity from the atmosphere appropriately. So, you will see a big difference in water collection, or maybe there is no water collection if you don’t clean the coils. Because of dirt, the airflow is disturbed, making the unit use more energy, and the coils can freeze. If you don’t clean them regularly, it also leads to a more significant issue, such as compressor damage.
So, if you want to avoid this issue, you need to pay proper and regular attention to coil cleaning. You can also follow the manufacturer’s instructions for coil maintenance because they require special cleaning. The more you keep your coils clean, the more efficient your unit will be.
Refrigerant Levels:
A dehumidifier requires refrigerant fluid to cool down the coils, which helps condense the humidity and convert it into liquid. If the refrigerant liquid is not sufficient enough, the unit cannot cool the coils, which means the moisture will not convert into water, and the unit will not collect water. So, if you see the issue of refrigerant liquids in your dehumidifier, you must go to an expert. An expert refills the refrigerant fluid or replaces it and also inspects any other problem. After the issue is resolved, your unit starts collecting dehumidified water.
Preventing Future Problems:
You can prevent future problems while using a dehumidifier by taking some measures. These measures include:
- Regular cleaning and maintenance.
- Replace filters if required.
- Gently clean the coils daily.
- Don’t overuse the unit.
- Clean the unit daily with soapy water or a damp cloth and weekly with a mixture of bleach or vinegar with water for deep cleaning.
- Clean the pipes carefully with a cleaning brush.
- If any part of the unit needs replacement or the compressor is broken, take it to a professional for perfect fixing.
- Give your unit a rest and run it at intervals.
Considering these measures when using your dehumidifier will give you the desired results, and the unit will properly collect water.
Final Thought:
After this post, you will learn the reasons why a dehumidifier is running but not collecting water. These reasons include broken compressors, dirty coils, refrigerant levels, drainage issues, low temperatures, etc. After learning about the issue of no water collection, you can pay attention to its solution, such as parts replacements, regular maintenance, proper cleaning, changing your unit size, and filter replacements or cleaning. With the appropriate care of the unit and resolving the issue of your dehumidifier, it efficiently starts collecting water without any hassle.
When all issues are resolved, or you understand their solution, your unit can maintain ideal humidity levels between 30% and 50% by draining excess moisture into a water collection bucket. To get the desired results from a dehumidifier, you must pay attention to its regular maintenance and not run it continuously without rest. I hope you like our article and that it helps you understand why your unit is not collecting water. Thanks for reading it.
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John Burns is an experienced writer who specializes in reviewing dehumidifiers. He has a writing experience of almost 5 years. With a strong focus on helping people find the best products for improving their home environment, James provides clear and detailed reviews. His expertise helps readers make informed decisions when it comes to choosing the right dehumidifier for their needs. He is passionate about exploring new home improvement solutions and sharing tips to enhance air quality in every home.
