Could a dehumidifier be a fire hazard?
Q. I’m looking at basement dehumidifiers to buy, but I’m worried. One model I am considering has a continuously running fan. Does that increase the possibility of overheating?—Maureen Gavin, Portland, ME
A. A continuously running fan, found in some of the new models we’ve recently begun testing, isn’t considered dangerous. It helps to cool the compressor, the part of the dehumidifier that gets the hottest when the appliance is in use. You may have read that dehumidifiers from 13 brands (including six Danby models) were recalled because of a fire hazard last year; those products are no longer on the market. The models that remain in our Ratings should be safe.
For related information, check our dehumidifier buying guide and Ratings.
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This article also appeared in the February 2015 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
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