On average, a dehumidifier begins to collect water as soon as it is switched on. The time taken for a dehumidifier to fill the collection tank can be anywhere between 6-8 hours for a 2-liter tank.
If your dehumidifier's water basin is filling up too quickly, you probably have extra water in the air due to an issue like a cracked pipe, water leak or open crawl space. If you're hardly getting any water in the basin, you may need to simply turn the control to a drier setting.
A dehumidifier should collect a certain amount of water each day - generally, around 10-20 pints of water per 24-hour period. This should require you to empty most dehumidifiers daily or bi-daily when in operation.
As a general rule of thumb you may need to empty your dehumidifiers bucket at intervals ranging from once every two days to twice a day, depending on the conditions.
On average, a home dehumidifier collects five gallons of water per day. When a dehumidifier fills up quickly, you may have excess humidity in your home or an issue with the dehumidifier itself. Conversely, a consistently empty dehumidifier is also a sign of system malfunction.
Try changing your filter first. If that doesn't solve the problem, then you may need to replace the desiccant. It could also be the case that the fan is blocked, so be sure to check for and remove any obstructions that could cause the fan to stop working properly. That said, most dehumidifiers are compressor-based.
Can you dehumidify too much? There is a chance of dehumidifying your home too much with a dehumidifier, especially if you are leaving your dehumidifier running for several hours on a timer unattended. Over-dehumidifying your home can lead to an increased chance of respiratory illnesses and dry and cracked skin.
Although the energy consumption for small and medium-sized dehumidifiers is relatively low, long-term usage (especially older, less energy-efficient models) can add up to be quite a substantial amount. This is compounded by the fact that most dehumidifiers run 12 to 24 hours daily.
Can I leave the dehumidifier running at night? Yes, we recommend using a dehumidifier 24hrs, however, be aware that there will always be a noise generated from the machine when it is operating.
The dry, filtered air is then pushed through the HVAC system for conditioning and then into the rooms of your home. Should you keep your dehumidifier running all the time? In order to achieve the ideal indoor relative humidity levels of 35 to 50 percent, it is recommended that you run a dehumidifier for 12 hours a day.
Empty the tank regularly.
All of the dehumidifiers in CR's tests have an indicator that lights up when the tank is full, and the unit shuts off automatically. You can either empty the tank yourself or connect a hose to any of the tested dehumidifiers to divert the water to a drain nearby.
Mould will easily grow and spread if the right conditions are present. So, dehumidifiers don't kill mould, but they can help to prevent it from growing inside your home by reducing humidity. However, the best way to deal with it is to get rid of its source.
Moreover, the condensate can contain lead and other metal residues from the component parts of the dehumidifier. Unlike distilled water (see Nitty Gritty), dehumidifier water is never sterilized through boiling. In case you were still entertaining the thought, let me make it clear: do not drink the condensate!
If you're concerned about spending too much on your electricity bill, you can try calling your energy company and asking about the “best times.” Usually, the best times to run your unit, that will save you money, is between 10 pm and 7 am — this is when less people are consuming energy, which drives down the rates.
If the bucket full light is blinking or stays on when the bucket is empty, there may be an issue with the float switch. The switch can be found near the bucket, and is activated by the float mechanism when the bucket is full of water.
How often you should use a dehumidifier will depend on your home, climate and other factors. To achieve the highest energy efficiency, run a dehumidifier for at least 12 hours a day. This will allow you to remove moisture from the air without racking up the energy costs.
A dehumidifier typically needs between 24 and 72 hours to completely dry out a room. It's critical to continue using the dehumidifier until the humidity levels are normal.
Not only is it safe to sleep with a dehumidifier on, but it can also bring some surprising benefits. One of the main advantages of using a dehumidifier while sleeping is reducing allergens and irritants like dust mites, mould, and mildew that thrive in high humidity.
Depending on the size of the dehumidifier, some can cost as little as 8p an hour to run, according to Chris Michael, managing director of Meaco.
The windows in a room should be kept closed when running a dehumidifier. As open windows let moisture in from the outside, they can work against the dehumidifier and keep the room from drying out because the continuous flow of air can be counterproductive.
The bottom line
Running your dehumidifier can help you feel cooler. However, this is because it lowers your room's relative humidity level, not because it changes the room temperature.
Dehumidifiers help reduce odors that can accompany mold and mildew in your home—getting rid of that “musty” or “rotting” smell. These devices help to reduce the possibility that you will develop mold on your clothing, furniture, and other linens (such as curtains or bed sheets).
Avoid putting it in the bathroom, too. 'We don't advise using a dehumidifier in the bathroom because it isn't IP rated,' says Meaco's Chris. 'But positioning a dehumidifier as close to the bathroom as possible with the door open still can help to reduce moisture quickly. '
Place your dehumidifier in the center of your bedroom if it is possible close to the plug. With this trick, the air will circulate around the unit. If your bedroom is large, place the dehumidifier close to the moisture source. While the dehumidifier is operating, make sure that the windows and doors are closed.