Dehumidifier icing up ?

TOMLESCOEQUIP · May 21, 2007

A question for the HVAC guys here on the forum:

I've got a dehumidifier that's a little over a year old (read: just out of warranty !) that is getting a large ice chunk forming on the upper coils. The obvious things are ok: air screen & fan blades are clean, & overall air flow is good.

It ices even on its' lowest setting,

It's a analog type basic model. It was fine & just started acting up last week. I know when our house air conditioner did the same thing, it was because it was low on refrigerant.

What next ?? I hate to spend $50-75 on a repair on a $139 dehumidifier, but I don't want to bail on a almost new unit either.

Can these be recharged with a kit like a car air conditioner ?

Ford850 · May 21, 2007

I'm not an expert, but I had the same problem. My issue was due to the cooler basement temperature in the spring when the furnace wasn't running anymore, but the ground temp was still low. I solved my problem by moving it to a slightly warmer location in my basement. It was also suggested that I could build a bench for it so it was eleveated off the cool floor. The newer higher end dehumidifiers have better sensors to take care of this problem.

Mike_Lipke · May 21, 2007

Right. Unless it said on the box,"low temperature operation", it has to be above 60 or 65 degrees or it will ice. Temp at floor may surprise you.

The other thing is a blanket like coating of dirt on the coils inside the cabinet, coils you can't see unless you take the case off. It still gets like that even if you have a filter and clean it regularly. Mine was about 8 years old, and i don't know how it worked at all. Took a water hose to it carefully, let it dry overnight, and it quit icing. Yours is too new for that problem.

tallyho8 · May 21, 2007

TOMLESCOEQUIP said:
Can these be recharged with a kit like a car air conditioner ?

If it is low on refrigerant, then it has a leak, and even if recharged it will leak out even faster next time if the leak is not found and repaired.

It is probably low on refrigerant if the operating temperature is over 65 degrees.

TOMLESCOEQUIP · May 21, 2007

I put it up about 10" off the floor.........I'll see how it looks tomorrow morning to see if it helps.

DieselPower · May 21, 2007

Probably the easiest thing to do to test if it is temperature related is move it upstairs for a couple of hours. Run it and see if you have the ice problem.

They can be recharged but most are like refrigerators and window A/C units. They do not have any service ports. They actually have to puncture the line with a special service fitting or cut the line and solder in a service tap. If it is low it is also leaking. Get the leak fixed or you will be getting it filled all the time.

Another option you have if it is leaking and low on referigerant is to complain to the manufacturer. Even though it is out of warrenty some manufacturers will repair it. My refrigerator at home is a good example. The thermostat went up in it about 1 month after the warrenty expired. I wrote to GE and complained about it. They fixed it free of charge. It never hurts to ask. What's the worst they can say, no.