Are you wondering why your dehumidifier is filling up so fast? Dehumidifiers filling rapidly can be normal in certain situations, but it can be a sign of various issues as well. If you are experiencing this issue right now, we recommend reading this article till the end as we discuss everything regarding this.
Where Does All the Water in My Dehumidifier Come From?
Simply put, the water in your dehumidifier comes from the moisture in the air, and it is not something unique to your machine. So, first of all, don’t worry if you see water in your dehumidifier, as it is part and parcel of the process.
A dehumidifier pulls humid air, which contains vapor, and cools it. Then, the water vapor condenses into liquid droplets, which are collected in the dehumidifier’s tank. The amount of water collected depends on the humidity level in the environment; we will discuss this in detail later in the article.
Why Your Dehumidifier Is Filling Up Quickly?
High humidity level is the main reason why your dehumidifier might be filling up quickly. However, there can be more contributing factors. Let us explain everything in detail so that you can figure out which factor/s is relevant to your case.
High Humidity
When the humidity is high, the dehumidifier will collect more moisture from the air, eventually converting it into water. It is the primary job you expect from a dehumidifier, right? So, there is nothing much to worry about if you see your dehumidifier filling up rapidly when the humidity in the environment is high.
However, one important thing you need to keep in mind is that it is not always environmental humidity that causes a dehumidifier to fill up fast; there are other human activities as well. For example, if you are drying laundry inside your home, after a lengthy cooking session or showering can contribute to humidity in houses.
Although the humidity created by such activities is not persistent, if you are involved in such activities throughout the day, the humidity level in your house will become high, leading the dehumidifier to collect more water than usual.
Size of the Room
If the place you keep the dehumidifier is large and the machine is inadequate to cater to the humidity of the place, the dehumidifier will fill up quickly. Dehumidifiers are rated for specific room sizes, and choosing the right size dehumidifier is always crucial for proper functionality and to keep issues such as these at bay.
In addition, it doesn’t matter if you keep the machine in a small-spaced room if the building design has an open floor plan. This will allow air to circulate freely between rooms, leading your dehumidifier to collect more water.
Using the continuous Mode
Most dehumidifiers have a setting called Continuous Mode. What this setting does is keep the unit running irrespective of the humidity level in the environment. When the Continuous Mode is on, the dehumidifier will try to run until the water reservoir is full.
This setting is useful for conditions where the humidity is too high, but it is not the best option to try when the humidity is low. In addition, using the Continuous Mode unnecessarily can lead to over-dehumidification.
This might not impact the machine, but it will create an uncomfortable living environment.
Clogged Air Filters
Clogged air filters are another factor that could contribute to excess water in your dehumidifier. When the air filters are clogged, the unit will have to work harder to draw moist air. This can result in the dehumidifier collecting water faster than normal.
Regular cleaning is the solution to this, and if you notice the air filters are beyond cleaning, you should replace them as soon as possible for smooth operation.
How Much Water Should a Dehumidifier Collect in a Day?
The amount of water a dehumidifier should collect in a day depends on several factors, including the unit’s capacity, the size of the room, the humidity level in the environment, and how often the unit is running. So, it is difficult to provide you with an exact answer to this question.
However, we will explain it based on the size of the dehumidifier. Check whether the size of your machine is mentioned below and whether your unit collects more water than what we explained.
Small-capacity Dehumidifiers
These machines are ideal for smaller rooms. If the humidity is moderate to high, a smaller-capacity dehumidifier collects anywhere from 10 to 20 pints of water per day.
Medium-capacity Dehumidifiers
These units are ideal for medium-sized rooms. Depending on the humidity levels, a medium-capacity dehumidifier can collect 20 to 40 pints of water per day.
Large-capacity Dehumidifiers
These units are ideal for basements or larger rooms. In high-humidity conditions, these units might collect 50 to 70 pints of water or more in a single day.
Is it Normal for a Dehumidifier to Fill up Every Day?
Yes, it’s normal for a dehumidifier to fill up every day, especially in high-humidity environments. As you would know by now, there are factors like the humidity level, room size, and the capacity of the machine have a say when it comes to the amount of water collected by a dehumidifier.
However, in highly humid conditions, it is pretty normal for a dehumidifier to fill up every day. So, don’t blame your poor dehumidifier!
Conclusion
So, answering the main question of the article, which is why your dehumidifier is filling up so fast, high humidity is the main reason why your dehumidifier is filling up fast. Other than that, issues with your machine, the place it is kept, and the Continuous Mode can influence the speed of water collected in a dehumidifier.
We hope our article is comprehensive and you had answers to all your questions. If you need further assistance, please mention your concern in the comment section. Have a great day!
Adam Voges is a seasoned expert with 11 years of experience in the heating and cooling industry. His deep understanding of HVAC systems and cutting-edge home climate technologies makes him a trusted authority on maintaining comfortable and energy-efficient homes. Adam’s blog discusses the latest innovations, best practices, and troubleshooting tips for heating and cooling devices, helping homeowners make informed decisions about their indoor climate control. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your system, optimize energy usage, or solve common HVAC issues, Adam’s insights are invaluable. His passion for sustainable living and his commitment to enhancing home comfort shine through in every article he writes.