ice is forming all over the coils inside the unit, is that supposed to happen?

— asked by Alex

Quick answer: The evaporator coils are frosting up. This happens when the air flowing over them is too cold, or the airflow is restricted.

Diagnosis

The evaporator coils are frosting up. This happens when the air flowing over them is too cold, or the airflow is restricted. It triggers an auto-defrost cycle, but sometimes the frost wins.

How to Fix It

First, turn the unit off and let the ice melt completely (this can take hours). The main causes are: 1) A dirty air filter (clean it), 2) Room temperature below 65°F, or 3) The unit set to 'Continuous' mode in a cool room. After thawing, clean the filter, ensure the room is warmer, and use 'Dry' mode with a reasonable humidity target (like 50%).

If That Didn't Work

If icing recurs quickly in normal conditions (room >65°F, clean filter), the auto-defrost thermostat or timer might be faulty. The unit isn't cycling into its defrost mode often enough or long enough.

Heads Up

Never chip away at the ice with a tool. You'll almost certainly puncture the delicate copper refrigerant tubes, which totals the unit. Let it melt naturally with the power off, or use a fan to blow room air into the intake to speed it up.

0

Different problem with the same product?

Ask about the Shinco SPS1-70P 70-Pint Dehumidifier →