Dehumidifiers have a humidistat that you can set to maintain a specific humidity level in the room. If you set the humidistat too high (low humidity), the unit may run continuously, which is usually unnecessary and actually not very helpful. Most houses need at least some humidity--for example, to keep woodwork from drying out too much and to control static electricity. Also, extreme dryness is often uncomfortable for people.

Clean the water container

You need to clean the container that catches the water from the evaporator coils from time to time. How often depends on how much you use it. Check the condition of this container monthly for a while, to learn whether your unit needs frequent cleaning.

Replace the filter

Many dehumidifiers are outfitted with a simple, electrostatic filter in the front grill area that filters the air that passes through them. If your unit has a filter, you should replace or clean it once a year. We carry "Electrostatic filter cut-to-fit" material--see our "Accessories" section.

Inspect the cooling coils for frost or ice build-up

If the temperature becomes fairly cool in the room where you have your dehumidifier--say 60 degrees Fahrenheit or lower--check the dehumidifier coils to be sure they aren't icing up. If they are, that's not good. Consult our the "Dehumidifier" page of our "Troubleshooting Guide" section to find out how to remedy an ice-up.

Don't short-cycle the cooling system

To prolong the life of your dehumidifier, never turn it off and then back on right away. After you turn it off, wait at least 10 minutes before turning it on again. This lets the pressure in the refrigeration system equalize.