coils on dehumidifier icing up????

[barnyardgal]

I turned on the dehumidifier in the basement over a week ago as it got warm/humid in the 80's outside...then over the weekend it got cooler outside in the 50's ...i noticed over the weekend that the coils on back of the dehumidifier was iced over so turned it off..It was set on to not kick on very often..

I have the heat on in the house so it has been at least 72-73 inside..I did notice a 'little' dirt/dust on the coils, would that cause it to get ice on the coils???There are'nt any filters to clean on it,just the coils i guess??? I can't find my paper work on it..

I have it set over the basement drain so no pan to catch water in & dump..

It is about 8 years old but not been used that much just a little in the summer...

Is there something else i need to have checked?? They are expensive so hate to replace it but may need to??

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated....

Thanks in advance !!

[StL.Ed]

Sounds like it might be working a bit too good!
The coils have to be cold to precipitate water out of the air, but the air isn't keeping the coils warm enough to keep the moisture from freezing. (Most dehumidifiers are probably used in warm weather.)
Do you know how much colder the basement is than upstairs?
Is the fan working on the dehumidifier to move air over the coils?
If all else fails, can you aim another small fan at the coils to move more air over them and keep them warm and defrosted?

[ace admirer]

low on freon.....perhaps

[Danaus29]

The basement is too cool and humid. Ours used to ice up when it was really humid. Not so much when the humidity is low or the basement warm.

[Energy Rebel]

Clean the coils.
There are two reasons a coil freezes, this applies to any kind freon/ac system.
1) dirty coils - most common
2) low on freon - unless old or damaged, less common.

[TnAndy]

Yep. Agree with Energy Rebel. The dirty coil lowers the air flow. On a larger system ( like a central air unit ), a freon leak is more possible, due to more line/connections. On a small unit like this, less likely the cause.