Tuesday Tips: Filters For Dehumidifiers

by Alice Shaffer

Recently we experienced water damage from the dehumidifier pump leaking water into the utility room which happens to share a wall with my bedroom.  In terms of water damage it was not bad, just wrong timing.  It damaged my closet, the hall closet and a bit of the utility closet.  Nothing of material importance was lost. Thankfully that was the case, but a lot of knowledge and education was gained. I would like to share this with you so you don’t experience what I have been over the past two weeks.

We have a  HVAC agreement that it comes twice a year- spring and fall- to service our AC/Heater.  What it didn’t do was service the whole house dehumidifier. This company apparently doesn’t service this type of dehumidifier. Last month when it was discovered that it was leaking, the technician showed me that there are 2 filters for the unit – a 4 inch and 2 inch one, and they were covered in dirt. They needed to be replaced.   This is where trouble came. The 4inch filters are not on the shelves of the local hardware store or the big box stores-they are online only.   I scoured the internet for almost two  hours trying to find these two filters. I then called the places to see who could get them to me ASAP.  This was also during those 95 plus degree days we were having in June.  It was important to have the dehumidifier running.

I ordered 2 of each as they have to be changed every 3 months this way we don’t have to go without it being plugged in and dehumidifying the house.  The technician showed me where to install them and which direction they go.  I was successful in replacing the old ones with the new ones that came in 4 days later.

I thought everything was fine, till I discovered water on the utility floor again. Another call to the HVAC company-one that will service this unit, and the problem was solved!  The actual pump for the dehumidifier had died.  It was still moving the water from the dehumidifier unit to the pump but was not pumping it out to the external drain in the floor.  A sense of calm came over me.  The answer was found. My new carpet won’t be ruined again because the pump is going to be fixed now! Luckily there was one on the truck and fixed in 20 minutes.

Tips For Everyone’s HVAC/Dehumidifier Units:

• When doing your seasonal maintence on your HVAC systems check your dehumidifier units to make sure the tubes to the pumps are on tightly to the pump and that no water condensation is collecting.  If so put in a call to your HVAC service-water damage is the worst next to fire damage to a house.  Black mold is not fun.
• Make sure you have extra filters for both your AC/Heating unit and dehumidifier.
• Use a sharpie and write on your units the sizes of the filters that it takes.