Wasted $300 on a cheap dehumidifier from Amazon... should have known better

Bought some no-name dehumidifier off Amazon for our basement in Calgary about 3 months ago. Worked okay for the first month then just stopped pulling any water. Tried cleaning the coils and everything but it's basically a paperweight now. Ended up buying a proper one from Home Hardware for $450 and it's been running like a champ. Does anyone else have a list of things you just shouldn't cheap out on for your house? I'm adding basement dehumidifiers to mine for sure.

2 comments

2 Comments

jones.blake1mo ago

Nah, you probably just got a lemon, my $120 one has been kicking for two years now.

cameron_webb1mo ago

Oh man, I've been there too (it's frustrating when something you paid good money for just craps out on you). Honestly though, $120 ones can be hit or miss depending on the brand and how much you actually use it. My advice would be to check the oil level before every session if you're not already doing that, and keep the heating element clean with a q-tip and some alcohol. Also, letting it warm up for a full 2-3 minutes before taking a hit makes a huge difference in longevity. If you're really unlucky and it dies on you, try contacting the company directly instead of just buying another one. They might send a replacement if it's still under warranty.