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How Fast Should a Dehumidifier Fill Up? (Explained)

Who doesn’t opt for a dehumidifier to maintain and reduce the humidity in the air? This device is very effective to decrease the humidity level in the air and prevent the growth of mold and mildew. It can also remove and reduce damp odor from the room.

That being said, you might be wondering how fast a dehumidifier fills up. You might also want to know why your dehumidifier fills up very fast. Let’s take a look at how fast a dehumidifier should fill up.

How fast should a dehumidifier fill up?

How fast a dehumidifier will fill up depends on the size of the tank and the amount of water in the air. A dehumidifier with a two liters tank usually fills up in six to seven hours. It will take longer to fill up if the tank is larger than usual and if there is little water in the air.

A dehumidifier basically captures the water from the air to reduce the humidity level. This device collects water through the condensation process. The water vapor is basically passed through cold coils, and the vapor is condensed into water drops. The captured water is usually stored in the tank of the dehumidifier.

How fast a dehumidifier will fill up depends on the moisture level of the air and the capacity of the tan. The capacity of the tank varies from unit to unit.

If the capacity of a tank is low, the dehumidifier will fill up quite fast. The condensation will drip into the tank and fill it up within a matter of hours.

A dehumidifier will also fill up very fast if there is too much water in the air. If the humidity level is high, the dehumidifier will capture the water vapor faster to reduce the moisture in the space.

In general, a dehumidifier takes around six to seven hours to completely fill up. However, the time will vary depending on the factors like moisture level, and capacity of the tank.

If the dehumidifier fills up after a certain period of time, it means that it is working just fine. However, if the tank doesn’t fill up properly, it means that there is some problem with the dehumidifier. Then again, if it fills up faster than usual, it might be because of some defect in the device or excess moisture in the air.

How much water should a dehumidifier collect in a day?

The total amount of water a dehumidifier should collect in a day depends on the capacity, and size of the unit. It also depends on the humidity level in the air in that particular space.

On average, the residential regular sized dehumidifiers should collect up to 20 liters of water in a single day. The larger sized commercial units should capture around 50 liters of water in a day.

It takes roughly six to seven hours to fill a 2 liter dehumidifier tank, which is the most common capacity for ordinary dehumidifiers. Depending on the humidity level in the air, you will need to empty your small dehumidifier a few times every day.

If your dehumidifier fills up faster than usual, it is an indication that the humidity level in the air in that space is very high. It is also a sign that the device is working at its full capacity to reduce the moisture level in the air.

How often should dehumidifiers fill up?

A dehumidifier should fill up two to three times a day. It can also fill up once every two days depending on the moisture level in the air.

Usually, an average sized dehumidifier takes 6 to 7 hours to completely fill up when there is enough moisture in the air. As a result, dehumidifiers fill up quite often.

If a dehumidifier doesn’t fill up often, it is a sign that there is some defect in the unit. It can also indicate that there is not enough moisture in the air for the device to capture. 

Since a dehumidifier fills up often and quite fast, you will have to empty the tank more than once a day. This can be a hassle and challenging task. However, it will ensure that your dehumidifier works properly to reduce the water level in the air.

Why does my dehumidifier fill up so fast?

A dehumidifier can fill up rapidly for various significant reasons. However, it doesn’t indicate any serious issue with the device. It occurs for quite simple reasons. Let’s find out why your dehumidifier fills up so fast.

High humidity level in the space:

The recently launched dehumidifiers are equipped with a vapor compression cycle. This means that the moisture in the air is converted into water through the condensation process and it is then collected in the tank.

As a result, if the humidity level in the air is high, the device will capture more moisture and collect more water. S, high humidity will make the dehumidifier fill up very fast.

Blocked coils:

If the coils are blocked, the air path will partially stop. As a result, the airflow rate will decrease inside the dehumidifier, which will create ice and frost around the coil. The ice around the coil will melt eventually and continue to drip, filling up the dehumidifier tank fairly fast.

Low capacity tank:

It can simply be said that if the capacity of a tank is low, it will fill up faster than other capacity units. So, if the capacity of your dehumidifier tank is low, it will fill up so fast.

Malfunctioning dehumidifier fan:

If the dehumidifier tank doesn’t operate at its normal speed, the airflow in the device will reduce. As a result, ice will develop inside the unit, which will drip and make the tank fill up faster than usual.

What does it mean when dehumidifier fills quickly?

When a dehumidifier fills quickly, it can mean several things. It can be an indication that the air filters are choked due to dirt, which results in formation of ice and makes the tank fill up faster. It can also happen if the dehumidifier fan doesn’t work properly or if there is a blockage in the coils.

When the dehumidifier fills quickly, it can also mean that there is high humidity in your region. If the capacity of the dehumidifier tank is low, it can also fill up quite fast. Other than those, the newly bought dehumidifier fills up quickly without any significant reason.

What to do if your dehumidifier fills up quickly?

Before doing something if your dehumidifier fills up quickly, you will have to find out the reason behind the fast fill ups. Once you have detected the cause, you can find a solution accordingly.

Have a look at what to do if your dehumidifier fills up quickly:

Use automatic drainage system:

You can’t reduce the humidity level in the air without using a dehumidifier. So, there is no exact solution for this issue.

To solve the faster fill up due to the humidity level, you can use a drainage system to extract the water from the tank. You can use a drain hose to take out the water from the tank continuously without having to empty it fully each time.

Clean the air filters:

A dehumidifier can fill up quite fast if there is dust and dirt on the filter. So, by cleaning the filters on a regular basis, you can ensure that the device works properly and doesn’t fill up faster than normal.

Clean the coil:

After detecting which dehumidifier coil is not working properly, you should use a soft cloth or brush to clean it. While cleaning the coil, make sure to do it in the direction of the tubes.

Should a dehumidifier run constantly?

A dehumidifier shouldn’t run constantly. You should run the dehumidifier usually when the humidity level in the space exceeds 50%. It is best to maintain a humidity level of 30% to 50% and run the dehumidifier accordingly.

However, there is no rule that stops you from running the dehumidifier constantly. If you prefer a lower humidity level than usual, you can keep it on for longer than usual.

Final Thoughts

A dehumidifier should not fill up in less than six to seven hours. If it fills up before six hours then there is some problem in the device such as a defect in the fan, filter, or coils. The dehumidifier can also fill up very fast if the humidity level in the space is more than normal.