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.