During humid summer weather, you may want to use a dehumidifier to help make your home more comfortable. A dehumidifier is really just an air conditioner working in reverse--it's subject to the same problems and cured by the same repairs. Here are some tips that should help save money and extend the life of your dehumdifier.

Don't forget to change the filter once a year, many dehumidifiers use a simple electrostatic filter in the front grill section that filters the air that passes through them. If your unit has a filter, you should replace or clean it, about once a year. By cleaning you dehumidifier filter your dehumidifier will run at optimum performance.

Clean the water container that catches the water from the evaporator coils from time to time to avoid mineral build up in the pan. How often depends on how much you use it. Check the condition of this container monthly, to learn whether your dehumidifier needs cleaning.

If the temperature becomes cool in a room where you have your dehumidifier placed, maybe about 60 degrees or lower, be sure to check the dehumidifier coils to make sure taht they are not icing up. If they are, that's not good, it can destroy the machine.

It is important not to turn it off and then on again right away. Wait at least ten minutes to let the pressure in the system equalize.

If your humidistat is set too high, low humidity, the unit may run continuously, which is usually unnecessary and actually not very helpful. Most houses need at least some humidity. This lets the pressure in the refrigeration system equalize.