Warranty credit has not provided a way for a frustrated Pennsylvania homeowner to replace their broken dehumidifier. This is their fourth failed dehumidifier in roughly four to five years, and the credit cannot be used to buy another unit.
Here's what to know
An E3 coolant error appeared on the dehumidifier before it reached 18 months of use, the homeowner said in a Reddit post in the r/BuyItForLife forum. Their list of failed dehumidifiers also included units from three other brands.
According to the homeowner, the manufacturer no longer makes dehumidifiers, leaving them with credit for other merchandise rather than the appliance they need.
"I have notoriously not bought extended warranties for things... Dehumidifier after going thru so many, I'm definitely going to now!" they wrote.
Two of their previous units, meanwhile, reportedly lasted just 13 months each.
One commenter who said they buy older models now cautioned: "The problem is the newer versions aren't built to last."
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More background
The homeowner described moisture concerns in a house built in 1950, with a cinder-block basement and no French drain. Due to the moisture concerns, they consistently run a dehumidifier.
One commenter suggested considering a commercial unit rather than a residential one.
The homeowner discovered another issue: "Come to find out the thing just failed and wasn't actually working to pull moisture. It was just the fan going."
One commenter reported about five years of daily use with their humidifier. Using a drain hose let their Midea run continuously until it reached the target humidity.
Another commenter routed water into a floor drain with hoses attached to two basic GE dehumidifiers. They used both units during the spring snowmelt and summer.
What can be done?
The homeowner was concerned about the price of the industrial units linked in the discussion. One Reddit user suggested they rent a commercial dehumidifier from a construction supply business before making an expensive purchase.
Without a convenient route to the basement floor drain, the homeowner planned to seek out a pump option after hearing about the hose-equipped Midea.
Other commenters suggested finding models made in the 1990s. Shopping at thrift stores is a good way to find those models and save money.
In the end, it seemed the homeowner's hands were tied, and the humidifier search would continue. As one commenter put it: "Gotta pick your battles...pay some money to keep my finished basement moisture (mold) free via the machine, or pay a lot of money to rip and replace the basement due to moisture (mold, must) damage."
The warranty question
Another commenter shared that repeated failures had made dehumidifiers an exception to their usual purchasing habits: "These are literally the only thing I buy an extended warranty for and they have paid for a replacement every single time. I have had better luck with Midea products."
Where can I learn more?
These stories cover disputed air-conditioner warranties, HVAC repair bills, persistent humidity, appliance recycling incentives, and a premature water heater failure.
• A homeowner's written 10-year AC warranty was disputed, leaving a $10,000 bill.
• A first-time homeowner faced a $2,300 bill after their 15-month-old HVAC system failed.
• A Texas homeowner's $12,000 AC purchase brought further advice: Buy a dehumidifier.
• Maryland BGE customers can trade old dehumidifiers and other eligible appliances for $50.
• A homeowner reported their water heater failed before reaching five years of use.
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