The Definitive Answer of How Long Should a Dehumidifier Last?

Nobody likes mold. Mold can cause allergies and respiratory problems and it just makes your home look dirty. Luckily, dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air to prevent this pesky problem from happening, but how long does a dehumidifier last?

This is an important question that many people don't know the answer to, so we're going to take a close look at dehumidifier lifespan in this blog post!

How Long do Dehumidifiers Last?

The average life of dehumidifier is about five years, but this can vary depending on a few things.

First of all, the dehumidifier's quality will affect how long it lasts. If you use an inexpensive dehumidifier that isn't made with high-quality parts and components then it might not last as long as an expensive dehumidifier.

Secondly, the dehumidifier's environment will affect its lifespan. If you're in a humid climate then your dehumidifier may need to work harder than if it was in a dryer area and this can shorten its life span!

Thirdly, how often you use your dehumidifier will affect its lifespan. If you use the dehumidifier more often than it's made for then this can cause it to overheat and break down earlier.

It's also important to dehumidify your home in the right way. If you have a dehumidifier with an automatic switch, set it to dehumidify during the day when you're not home. You'll get a better dehumidifier lifespan because it won't have to work as hard dehumidifying the air all day.

Our Recommended Dehumidifiers for 2024

frigidaire 50 pint dehumidifier

Frigidaire 50 Pint Dehumidifier

Yaufey 2500 Sq. Ft Home Dehumidifier

Yaufey 2500 Sq. Ft Home Dehumidifier

AprilAire E100C Pro 100 Pint Dehumidifier

AprilAire E100C Pro 100 Pint Dehumidifier

Why Is My Dehumidifier Not Collecting Water But Still Running?

If your dehumidifier is in the "Collecting" state and plugged in, but not collecting water, it could be because it's full. If so, you will see a red light next to the tank symbol.

Even though the machine may be full, it will still operate as normal - switching on/off with humidity levels. However, no water will be collected and the tank will remain full.

how long do dehumidifiers last

If it's not full you could check the following:

  • If the machine is running but not collecting water, have a quick look inside to see if there is anything blocking the outlet tube (if applicable). Try moving it around carefully. Or remove for cleaning purposes.
  • Make sure the filter is clean.
  • Check where the hose connects to the back of the machine, if there is a kink in it (e.g. under a washing machine) this could be restricting water flow into the tank - try moving position or relocating altogether to allow for more free movement of water and air.
  • Check where your dehumidifier is situated - make sure it's not too close to walls/corners or in a closed-off cupboard/room with minimal ventilation. This can restrict airflow into the dehumidifier which will also restrict water flow.
  • Check for any small gaps around the machine, if there are any this can cause a draft that could reduce humidity output and possibly stop water from being collected altogether - try blocking these off using some tape (sticky side out) or similar.
  • If you have recently 'moved house', it is possible that there are less humidity levels than what you are used to and your machine might need time to adjust - try leaving it on and allowing a couple of weeks for levels to adjust.
  • Moving the machine to a place where there is more humidity might work - for example, placing it in an open space near showering/bathing or close to a washing machine.
  • If you can't find any reason why your machine isn't collecting water, please get in contact with the customer service team who will be able to help you further.

How to Use a Dehumidifier Properly

When you are using a dehumidifier, there are several things that you must bear in mind. To ensure that it serves its purpose and last longer, follow the following tips:

Home Use or Office Use

Will the machine be placed at home, or in your office?

If you are going to use its functions only at home then make sure that it is portable so that moving it from one room to another will not be a problem. Portable units are also easier to clean and refill.

If you are going to place it in an office, check if its functions will affect the other people working there. The last thing that you want is for your workers not to be able to focus on their tasks because they are uncomfortable with too much humidity.

How Long Should You Run It?

In choosing this appliance, you have to consider not just its price tag but also your lifestyle and comfort level.

Are you going to only use it during the winter season? If so, then a cheaper dehumidifier model will do. But if you will be using the appliance 24/7 throughout all four seasons of the year, it will be best to invest on a higher-end model that will be able to serve your needs for a longer period of time.

Automatic vs Manual Control

When you are setting a dehumidifier, there are two kinds that you can choose from: an automatic humidistat and manual control. Both of these have their respective pros and cons.

The first one is recommended for those who want their rooms to be controlled at a constant RH all year round; the second type is for people who want to adjust humidity levels depending on the time of year.

Set The Humidity Levels

It is important to set the humidity at which you want your room or home to be kept at an ideal level. The required RH (relative humidity) is related to the temperature. 

Check Water Tank Regularly

The dehumidifier's water storage tank is located at the back part and there are two kinds as well: transparent and opaque tanks.

The best thing that you can do here is to check if your machine allows for an easy access to its reservoir so that you can see how much water it has stored and take some out if you want to.

It is best to do this once a week, or when the tank is full so that you can empty it before it gets too heavy for you to carry. This will ensure that your machine will drain better and longer throughout its lifetime.

Dehumidifier Maintenance

You also have to check if the dehumidifier will need a lot of maintenance or not. If you are not comfortable with these kinds of tasks, it would be better if you choose an appliance that is easy to maintain and clean.

There are models out there that will not require you to clean it for years.

Final Verdict


Dehumidifier will help improve the air quality in your home or office; if used properly, you will be able to live a healthier and more comfortable lifestyle.

The dehumidifier lifespan varies depending on a few factors, including the size of the dehumidifier and how often you use it. You need to take care of them or else they may not last as long. When you have bought a dehumidifier, set them up in the right way so that you won't encounter problems later on down the road.

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My name is Justin Williams. I am the founder and blogger at TheDehumidifierExperts.com (read more about us). I was an allergy sufferer and that is also the reason why I began my trek to finding the best dehumidifier for my own personal health issues. All of the dehumidifier top picks on the site were put through their paces by Lance Perez - our dehumidifier researcher. He put each one through a series of tests to see how well they performed. Then, our editorial team compiled the insights into articles and published them.

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