Dehumidifiers

Dehumidifiers are a popular household appliance that work to remove any moisture from conditioned air, which in turn can help aid allergies and general health. As well as helping keep a room’s humidity levels in check, they can be very beneficial with the upkeep of your home.

How do dehumidifiers work?

There are two different types of dehumidifiers:

Refrigerant dehumidifiers

These types of dehumidifiers draw in the damp air and filter it through cold coils. The water then condenses on the coils and is collected in a water tank. It has been suggested that these types of dehumidifiers work better in higher temperatures and use less energy out of the two. 

Desiccant dehumidifiers

An absorbent material is used to collect water from the air. When that material is heated, the moisture is collected in a water tank. They are said to work effectively in lower temperatures, but they’re also known to use more energy.

Safety First

  • Make sure you buy your dehumidifier from a reputable dealer, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
  • It’s important to register a new dehumidifier with the manufacturer so that you can be contacted if a safety notice or recall is required. It also makes it easier for you to return a faulty product or order a repair. To register any of your appliances, regardless of age, visit our Product Registration page.
  • Use our free online Product Recall checker to see if you have any recalled electrical items.
  • Check that your appliance has a UK plug; if it doesn’t, don’t try to use a UK travel adaptor. Get in touch with the retailer and ask for their advice.
  • Do regular checks of the plug and socket for burn marks, sounds of ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) or if it feels too hot to touch. If you have fuses blowing or circuit-breakers tripping then contact a registered electrician to investigate.
  • Any socket you plan to use to plug in a dehumidifier should have RCD (residual current device) Protection. An RCD is a life-saving device that protects against dangerous electric shock and reduces the risk of electrical fires. If you don’t have RCD protection in your fuse box for your sockets, consider using an RCD plug to protect you and your property from serious appliance faults.
  • Remove any dust build-up, so it does not impede airflow.
  • Remove and wash any air filters; in line with the advice in the product information booklet.
  • Remove any debris build-up in the collection trays to prevent the clogging of drainage passages.
  • Use the dehumidifier away from walls, furniture and curtains, to allow the air to circulate.
  • Keep doors and windows closed while the dehumidifier runs.
  • Empty the collected water out after every use and before moving it to another room.
  • Before cleaning or maintaining your machine, you should turn off and unplug it.
  • Always turn off the dehumidifier at the socket when not in use – even better, unplug it all together.
  • If you notice a burning smell or any unusual noises, switch the dehumidifier off immediately and contact the retailer and/or manufacturer.
  • If a fire does start, don't try to fight the fire. Get to safety and call 999 immediately.

Using your dehumidifier safely

You should always read through the entire owner’s manual, so you are familiar with specific operational instructions.