Store Dehumidifier in Barn

[11555wally]

I live in southern Michigan and this time of year as the temps change alot I get quite a bit of condensation in my unheated pole barn. The last couple of years I have put a dehumidifier in the barn and run it when the temps are over 45 degrees. That works well in keeping the condensation in check. However, I worry about leaving the dehumidifier in the barn (not running) at night when the temps get down below freezing. I drain the water out and shut it off when temps are expected to get low. Will storing the dehumidifer (dry and not plugged in) damage the it? I don't know what temps the refrigerant freezes. I called the manufacturer and of course they told me not to leave it in the cold. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[jack stand]

I'm not a hvac mechanic, but a little bit of water that could freeze somewhere inside your unit might kill it and I'd listen to the manufacturer to be safe. Maybe just a moving blanket tightly wrapped around it overnight would be enough?

 

[mike93lx]

Interesting question. When not running, I would expect cold Temps to not really be an issue

 

[PoorUB]

As long as the water is drained I don't see an issue. It is a simple closed refrigeration unit. I can not think of one reason why it would be a problem.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

Refrigerant freezing temperatures are almost always well below temps you’d see in Southern Michigan. Think lower than -100 F. If you know what refrigerant your dehumidifier uses, you can look it up.

 

[fitter30]

Refrigerant doesn't freeze. As long as the condensate is drained your good.

 

[11555wally]

Thank you for all of the comments. The mfg said to take it in the house at night, but it is a 70 pint and probably weighs 50 pounds. I think I'll take a chance and leave it in the barn, drain it good after each use and wrap it in a couple of quilts if temp is supposed to go below freezing. Thanks again.

 

[4xdog]

What will quilts do on an inanimate piece of machinery? Is there a big delta between daytime and nighttime temperatures in the barn? Without an external heat source it will reach ambient temperatures pretty quickly, I’d think.

 

[PoorUB]

Thank you for all of the comments. The mfg said to take it in the house at night, but it is a 70 pint and probably weighs 50 pounds. I think I'll take a chance and leave it in the barn, drain it good after each use and wrap it in a couple of quilts if temp is supposed to go below freezing. Thanks again.

Skip the quilts. The manufactirer recommending to bring it inside is either CYA or stupid.

Your air conditioner sits outside in the snow bank all winter. It isn't much different.