Dehumidifiers are one of the convenient appliances in your house; therefore, when your Frigidaire dehumidifier starts showing errors, it can be a frustrating experience.
If you’re facing the EC error code, your dehumidifier has stopped pulling the moisture out of the air, giving the bacteria and allergen a chance to develop.
Don’t worry; in this article, I will explain why your Frigidaire dehumidifier shows an EC error code. In addition, I will explain how to solve each possible cause.
Causes of Frigidaire’s Dehumidifier EC Code
The Frigidaire dehumidifier can start showing an EC code for several reasons. For example, the dehumidifier will display the EC code if the unit’s filter is not clean.
The room’s temperature also plays a vital role in the functionality of the dehumidifier. The humidity settings shouldn’t be too low, and the space around the appliance should be sufficient.
In addition to more different reasons, which I will be discussing in this article, and of course, explaining how to solve each of them.
1- Dirty Filter
The filter is essential to your dehumidifier because it prevents dust particles from affecting the efficiency of your dehumidifier.
It protects the components inside the dehumidifier and helps it perform its job. If the dehumidifier’s filter gets dirty or is covered with dust buildup, the air will not pass through the dehumidifier.
Therefore, the dehumidifier starts to display the EC code to alert you that the filter is dirty and needs to be cleaned or changed.
If you have a whole-home dehumidifier, it’s recommended that you change the filter every 12 months to ensure the safety of your dehumidifier.
2- Unsuitable Room Temperature
The ambient temperature is critical to your dehumidifier because if the ambient temperature is too low or too hot, the dehumidifier will not be able to function correctly.
The ideal temperature for a dehumidifier is between 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit; therefore, the dehumidifier might show the EC error code due to the ambient temperature being below or above the mentioned range.
Dehumidifiers are best used on summer days because they decrease the moisture in the air and give the area a cooling effect. However, on these hot days, you must monitor the area’s temperature to ensure it’s not too hot.
3- Humidity Settings Too Low
The humidity settings affect the efficiency of your dehumidifier; therefore, it’s recommended that you ensure the humidity settings are correctly set.
If the humidity level is set below the ideal range, it can result in the error EC displayed on your dehumidifier. The ideal range for the humidity settings is between 30 to 50 percent.
Meanwhile, in the cold days of winter, the settings should be between 30 to 40 percent to ensure the best performance out of your dehumidifier.
If the humidity settings are set under 30 percent, whether in the summer or winter, the dehumidifier will probably stop working and show the EC error.
4- Insufficient Space
The space around the dehumidifier must be sufficient so that the dehumidifier can function correctly. There should be no restrictions to the airflow, meaning there should be no close furniture or walls to the dehumidifier.
The dehumidifier should be at least six inches away from any surface that could block its vent. If the air circulation is blocked in your dehumidifier, it will result in the dehumidifier stopping working and the EC code displayed.
5- Electronic Glitch
The EC code might be an electronic glitch in your dehumidifier; sometimes, the dehumidifier displays a fault code, but it’s just a glitch. So, you must ensure the error is valid or it’s just a glitch.
How to Fix Frigidaire Dehumidifier EC Code
After discussing why your Frigidaire dehumidifier shows EC code, I will explain how to solve each reason and get your dehumidifier back to working correctly.
1- How to Fix Dehumidifier Dirty Filter?
When cleaning your dehumidifier filter, it’s recommended that you also clean the other parts of the dehumidifier. So the air filter will not capture dust again from the other parts.
The first step is to power off the dehumidifier to protect yourself from electrical shocks. Cleaning the dehumidifier while it’s on can be dangerous to yourself and the dehumidifier.
To prevent the dust from getting into the internal parts after your clean them, you will need to wipe the outer surface of the dehumidifier. Use a soft microfiber piece of cloth, then wipe the surface of the dehumidifier.
Please avoid using water when cleaning the dehumidifier because it can damage the components. If there’s any hard dust buildup, you can dampen the cloth in the water and remove the buildup carefully.
Grab your vacuum cleaner and vacuum the dust out from your dehumidifier. You do this by moving the vacuum hose over the grate on the back or the front of the appliance.
It’s recommended that your empty the water bucket or tank if it’s complete; however, you can skip this step if you are cleaning your filter. The next step is to remove your filter, which depends on your dehumidifier’s model.
For Frigidaire dehumidifiers, the air filter is located behind the grate on the unit. So, you must remove the grate and filter to clean it. There are several ways to clean the air filter; you can choose the one that suits you.
You can use the vacuum brush to remove the dust from your filter. If the air filter has a hard dust buildup, use a wet cloth to wipe it away or wash it using warm water.
Suppose the coils on your dehumidifier are accessible after removing the air filter. Brushing the dust away from them is best to ensure efficiency. After cleaning all the parts, you can resemble your dehumidifier and power it on.
2- How to Fix Unsuitable Room Temperature?
The ambient temperature is essential for your dehumidifier; therefore, you must ensure the temperature is within the recommended range.
The ideal temperature for a dehumidifier is between 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, so you must adjust the temperature using the thermostat to avoid the ambient temperature error code (EC Code).
If the heat load on your house is excellent, you can try moving some heat source appliances away from the dehumidifier. Check the air vents in your house to allow air circulation to be evenly distributed.
3- How to Fix Humidity Settings Too Low?
As I have discussed, the wrong humidity settings will generate the EC error code, so you must set the proper settings. It’s a straightforward process, so you don’t have to worry.
From the electronic control panel, adjust the humidity settings of your dehumidifier to the ideal range, which is between 30 to 50 percent. If you live in a colder area, it’s best to adjust your settings between 30 to 40.
4- How to Fix Insufficient Space?
Like any other conditioning appliance, the dehumidifier needs sufficient space around it to function correctly. Therefore, there should be no airflow restrictions; if the dehumidifier is near a wall or furniture, move it away.
When placing the dehumidifier, you should keep in mind that it is placed near the humidity source. In addition, the size of the room, if the dehumidifier is in a large room, you will need to place it in a central location for maximum coverage.
5- How to Fix Dehumidifier Electronic Glitch?
If the dehumidifier displays an error, you must ensure it’s factual, not an electronic glitch. You can do so by unplugging the dehumidifier for a while and plugging it in again.
It’s recommended that you unplug the dehumidifier for four to six hours and then replug it. If the dehumidifier continues to display the error, then you must apply the solutions mentioned above to fix it.
Preventing Frigidaire Dehumidifier EC Error Code
After discussing the solutions of the Frigidaire dehumidifier EC code, now, I will tell you how to prevent it from happening and ways to avoid it in the future.
1- Regular Maintenance
Dehumidifiers get dirty and dusty over time, affecting their efficiency and functionality. Therefore, you must regularly maintain your Frigidaire dehumidifier by cleaning its parts to avoid it.
Remove the dust from the surface of the dehumidifier using a piece of cloth, and if the dust buildup is hard, you can dampen the cloth in warm water.
Clean your air filter using a vacuum brush or washing it under water; this will ensure the air filter is not blocked by dust and dirt. In addition, ensure that your coils are clean and well-maintained.
2- Suitable Ambient Temperature
The ambient temperature affects the performance of your dehumidifier; therefore, you will need to ensure the ambient temperature is between 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.ย
3- Right Humidity Settings
Adjust the humidity settings of your dehumidifier to the correct range to get the best performance. The ideal range is 30 to 50 percent, and for cold areas, it’s best to adjust your settings between 30 to 40.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most asked questions about the reason behind the EC fault code in the Frigidaire dehumidifier and how to solve it.
1- What Does EC Error Code Stand For?
The EC error code stands for the sealed system, and the condenser is faulty; if the dehumidifier displays this error in most cases, it’s not repairable. Therefore, if your appliance is still within the warranty, you should replace it.
This EC is appearing because the coils are not functioning correctly; they are not condensing or freezing.
2- What Are the Best Settings for a Dehumidifier?
The best setting for a dehumidifier is between 30 to 50 humidity levels. The dehumidifier will not work correctly if the humidity settings are too low.
The temperature settings are essential for the dehumidifier functionality as well. Therefore, you will need to ensure the temperature settings in your house are set between 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Adrian is an ISCET licensed professional that has completed the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam and has the expertise to diagnose and repair any appliance. He is well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques and is always up-to-date on the latest industry standards.
