Is your dehumidifier struggling to remove moisture, even though the water reservoir is empty? One of the problems could be a low refrigerant level if you’re using a compressor dehumidifier.
A refrigerant dehumidifier effectively pulls moisture from your indoor air when it has the right amount of refrigerant. When it is low, your unit needs to work harder but still struggles to address humidity issues.
Therefore, it’s very important to have the right amount of refrigerant so your unit operates smoothly and helps achieve your desired indoor humidity levels without overusing electricity.
Let’s take a thorough look at how to recharge the refrigerant in your dehumidifier safely, how to tell if the refrigerant is low, and when to seek professional help.
What is Refrigerant in a Dehumidifier?
Refrigerant is a type of special fluid used in the cooling process to help extract moisture from your indoor air. The warm, humid air releases moisture when it is passed over evaporator coils that contain refrigerant. So, without the right refrigerant levels, your dehumidifier can’t keep your space dry and comfortable.
Why do the right levels of refrigerant matter? Enough refrigerant is required to cool the evaporator coils. Insufficient refrigerant can’t effectively cool the coils. So, when air is passed over the coils, condensation does not take place properly. And you can’t achieve the desired indoor humidity levels even if you keep it running for hours. This leads to power wastage.
So, you need to ensure your dehumidifier has the right refrigerant levels. How do you know your unit needs more refrigerant? You might need to recharge the refrigerant if your home feels damp while your unit is running continuously.
How Do You Recharge Refrigerant in a Dehumidifier?
When you figure out your dehumidifier is more refrigerant, you need to gather the necessary tools and get prepared to recharge it.
1. Gathering Tools
You’ll need some specific tools to recharge the refrigerant in your dehumidifier. Firstly, you need the correct type of refrigerant depending on your unit's specifications. Typically, it may be R134a or R410a. Once you have the correct type of refrigerant in hand, gather other necessary tools.
The equipment you’ll need includes a charging kit with charging hoses and a manifold gauge set to add the refrigerant to the system. Also, the tools include a piercing tap valve and a quick-connect service port. To check the refrigerant level during this process, you need a pressure gauge set for monitoring the refrigerant levels during the recharging process.
You can also use a leak detector to check if there is any leak or any source causing refrigerant loss. To ensure proper safety, you should have safety gloves and goggles. If you are removing old refrigerant, you may also need a recovery device or tank to store the old refrigerant.
It’s important to keep in mind that you need to have all the necessary tools ready before starting the recharge process. Make sure the tools are compatible with your specific model.
2. Getting Prepared
Before recharging the refrigerant in your dehumidifier, make sure it is properly unplugged and drained. Then, you need to carefully remove the outer case to access the internal components. Make sure your space is properly ventilated; this keeps you safe from dirt and any refrigerant fumes.
Always ensure your safety by wearing gloves and goggles during the recharge process. Also, don’t forget to keep track of screws or dehumidifier components such as the air filter that you need to take off. This will help you reassemble your unit correctly.
3. Finding the Service Port
To start with, you need to locate the service port. You’ll find this on the low-pressure side of the system. If your dehumidifier doesn’t have one, you can install a piercing valve on the suction line. Keep in mind this valve must be properly sealed. This will help prevent leaks during the recharging process.
4. Attaching Charging Hose
The next thing you need to do is connect the manifold gauge to the service port. Make sure all the connections are secure and tight. If there is excess air in the charging hose, it can enter the system and mix with the refrigerant. This may cause the system to work poorly or even harm the dehumidifier compressor. So, you need to let out the excess air from the charging hose.
5. Adding the Refrigerant
Now you can start adding the refrigerant into your dehumidifier. First, open the refrigerant cylinder valve. Then, start adding refrigerant in short, careful bursts to let coolant flow slowly into the system.. Don’t go fast as this might damage your unit. Keep checking the gauge readings and take your time with this step.
When the refrigerant reaches the right level, stop adding more. You can find data about the correct pressure level in your unit’s user manual.
6. Winding Up
Once you properly recharge the refrigerant in your dehumidifier, close all the valves and equipment. Properly reconnect all the components that you took off. To ensure your unit is functioning correctly, let it run for a while. The best practice is to run it for about 24 hours. Then, check for any moisture buildup on the dehumidifier coils. If moisture starts to build up on the coils, this means the refrigerant is flowing properly.
Read this article to find out how to operate a dehumidifier correctly.
How to Tell If Refrigerant is Low?
Various signs tell if refrigerant is low in your dehumidifier. When refrigerant is low, ice or frost starts to build up on the refrigerant line or coils. So, icing can be a major sign of insufficient coolant levels. Leakage is a big factor that causes refrigerant loss. If your unit makes a noise like a hissing sound, this might be due to refrigerant leaks.
One of the most obvious signs of low refrigerant levels is that your indoor environment does not feel comfortable while your unit is operating constantly. So, pay attention to the air coming from your unit. If it’s warm and sticky, it may indicate that the coolant levels have dropped. You need to fix this immediately. Remember, when dehumidifiers become less effective, they work harder and consume more energy. This will increase your electricity bills.
You can use a hygrometer to check your indoor humidity level if you’re using a smart dehumidifier with a humidity sensor. This way you check humidity whenever you need to and get your unit fixed when there is some problem with it.
Conclusion
You can restore your dehumidifier's effectiveness by recharging it with the required amount of refrigerant. But remember, you need proper knowledge before getting started. You need to have specific tools ready before starting the recharging process. Pay attention to details, and don’t ignore safety precautions. If you’re unsure at any step, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. It is always a safer practice to consult an expert when you aren’t confident about steps involving technical skills.
So, whenever your unit runs but doesn’t remove moisture, creates weird sounds, emits odd smells, or simply isn’t performing like before, you can call a professional. Improper handling of important components such as refrigerants and coils can cause major damage, which requires costly repairs.
If you need any help fixing your dehumidifier or want a new model at a competitive price, you can explore our website or contact our support anytime. At Aloraircrawlspace, we help you find tailored solutions for your problems.
