Industrial Dehumidifiers

Guide to Choosing a Commercial Dehumidifier

With the vast range of commercial dehumidifiers on the market, choosing the right one for your business is often a long process.

Excess moisture is a problem for many organisations, and the issues will differ from one business to another. For example, battery manufacturing facilities often need extremely low humidity levels of less than 1% RH, while commercial swimming pools need a relative humidity range between 50-60% to prevent condensation. Facility conditions, industry, function, and budget are some of the factors that can add to the complexity of selecting a suitable unit/s.

In this guide, we will discuss:

• The different types of dehumidifiers commonly used in commercial and industrial premises
• Dehumidifier applications
• Design considerations when sizing a commercial dehumidifier

What is a Commercial or Industrial Dehumidifier?

Commercial dehumidifiers are more robust than domestic dehumidifiers and are designed to remove moisture from large commercial or industrial spaces for long periods. Although they may function similarly to domestic dehumidifiers, the capacity, longevity, and performance are entirely different. Smaller domestic dehumidifiers are perfectly suitable for removing moisture in homes and small spaces, but have limited use in a commercial setting.

Types of Commercial Dehumidifiers

There are two main types of commercial dehumidifiers:

Refrigerant (condensing) dehumidifiers use a hydrophilic coil as part of the dehumidification process. It draws in warm, humid air, and as this air runs over the coils, the moisture condenses on them and is drained away. They are excellent for removing high levels of moisture, and extremely energy efficient; however, refrigerant units work best in temperatures above 15°C.

Desiccant (adsorption) dehumidifiers contain adsorbent material that draws in the moisture from the air. Desiccant units work more efficiently where refrigerant units will start to struggle. They can work in both warm and cold environments, which is why they are an excellent solution for cold rooms and areas where there is no heating. Desiccant units are usually quieter, but with higher energy requirements.

For more information on refrigerant and desiccant dehumidifiers, see our in-depth article here on industrial dehumidifier technology.

Dehumidifier Applications

Excess moisture is a problem for many organisations and industries, affecting product quality, business operations, equipment, and working environments.

Condensation and ice formation are common in cold stores with uncontrolled humidity levels. This can damage products, packaging, encourage mould growth, and cause slipping hazards for employees. Air conditioning systems inside cold room ahu systems can remove moisture to some degree, but not enough to prevent these issues. This is where desiccant dehumidifiers can work well as they can remove moisture in very low temperatures, while reducing workload and ice formation in air conditioning systems.

The warm, humid environment of spas and swimming pools makes it the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mould to grow due to condensation building up on surfaces. A refrigerant dehumidifier is ideal for this type of environment where high moisture levels are present, often up to 90% RH.

Classic cars are extremely prone to the effects of fluctuating humidity and temperature levels in warehouses and garages, and long-term storage in these conditions can cause serious corrosion of iron car parts. The initial reaction would be to heat the storage space, which can reduce the humidity during the colder months. But this often results in high energy costs, and it does not address the humidity levels during the summer months. The best solution in this case would be to use a desiccant dehumidifier that can operate year-round in all weather conditions.

View our industries section for more examples of humidity control use cases.

Sizing a Commercial Dehumidifier

Here are some important points to consider when sizing for a commercial dehumidifier – this is not an exhaustive list and will vary depending on the industry and specifications:

• The size of the facility or the dimensions of the area/location
• Room temperature and dew point
• The target relative humidity
• Conditions of the location and existing equipment
• Energy requirements
• Internal moisture and people load
• Doors and windows
• Installation location, i.e. in-duct, wall mounted, ceiling mounted, free-standing, etc.
• Type of dehumidifier, i.e. refrigerant or desiccant

Are you looking for more advice on industrial dehumidification systems? Then call one of our humidity control experts today on 01372 571 200 or send us a message using our contact form.