How to Prevent Dehumidifier Mold and Mildew

If you are one of many South Texas homeowners using a dehumidifier in your home to keep humidity under control, good for you, your comfort, your health and lower cooling bills.

Since your dehumidifier is working hard to take care of your indoor air quality, are you taking good care of your dehumidifier? Use these tips to help prevent dehumidifier mold and mildew problems that nullify their benefits and actually exacerbate indoor air quality issues.

How Dehumidifiers Work

Whether you have a portable or whole-home dehumidifier, they work by the same principles.

• Dehumidifiers pull indoor air across a cool coil.
• When water vapor in the air contacts the coil, the vapor condenses to liquid form.
• The condensate drips into a holding tank, or it flows into a tube connected to the plumbing or a drain.
• The airflow leaves the dehumidifier a little less humid than when it entered.
• This process continues until indoor humidity reaches the setting you have input on the humidistat.

Preventing Mold and Mildew

One of the great benefits of using a dehumidifier is that it helps prevent mold and mildew development in your home. Conversely, your dehumidifier becomes the target for mold, mildew, fungi and bacteria growth on the coil, in the holding tank, the filter and other parts. The following cleaning tips help prevent dehumidifier mold and mildew to help it work more effectively and efficiently.

• Turn off the power and unplug the dehumidifier, or flip the circuit breaker for a whole-home dehumidifier.
• Remove the air filter. Gently hand wash it and let it air dry.
• Disconnect the dehumidifier’s cover to access the coil.
• Spray the coil with a no-rinse foaming anti-microbial coil cleaner.
• The foaming cleaner should drip into the water collection tank; though, follow the instructions on the type you use.
• Use a soft cloth to wipe down the coil and parts.
• Remove the water collection tank.
• Wash it out in your bathtub or outdoor spigot.

If you need more information about how to prevent dehumidifier mold and mildew, please contact CCAC today for the best service and customer care in South Texas!

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 361-678-2495.

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