Swimming Pool Dehumidifiers

Guide to Choosing a Swimming Pool Dehumidifier

Maintaining the right humidity level in an indoor swimming pool area is essential for both comfort and health. Excess moisture in the air can lead to condensation on windows, corrosion of metal fixtures, unpleasant odours, and even long-term structural damage. That is where a properly selected dehumidifier comes in.

Whether you are a contractor involved in pool design and renovation or managing a small leisure facility, choosing the right dehumidification system ensures a comfortable environment, protects your investment, and helps keep energy costs low. With a wide range of options available, it can be challenging to know which system best fits your space, usage patterns, and ventilation setup.

In this guide, we will go through some of the key considerations when choosing a pool dehumidifier – from room size and temperature control to energy efficiency and noise levels.

What Type of Dehumidifiers Do Swimming Pools Use?

Indoor swimming pools typically use refrigerant dehumidifiers, but the best type depends on the size, climate, and specific needs of the space:

Industrial Refrigerant Dehumidifiers (compressor dehumidifier)

• Most common for indoor swimming pools
• Ideal for standard residential and commercial pools
• Some include heat recovery for warming the air or water, like the HiDew SPR refrigerant units
• Extremely energy efficient in warm and humid spaces
• Suitable for consistent long-term operation
• Easy to install and maintain

Compact Refrigerant Dehumidifiers

• Can be freestanding, wall, or ceiling mounted
• Often used in small private swimming pools
• Low noise and often completely autonomous
• Easy to install and maintain

Ducted or Integrated Pool Dehumidifiers

• Usually refrigerant-based, but installed in plant rooms or HVAC systems
• Air is ducted to and from the pool area for discreet operation
• Ideal for larger or high-end installations, i.e. hotels, spas, wellness centres
• Does not impact the aesthetics or space as it is hidden from view
• Quiet and efficient operation
• Can integrate with heating/cooling systems

Key Considerations When Sizing a Swimming Pool Dehumidifier

1. Room Size / Volume of Pool Room – to ensure that the dehumidifier can handle the air volume and maintain ideal humidity levels.
2. Pool Surface area and Water Temperature – larger and warmer pools have higher evaporation rates, increasing humidity levels. This is an important factor when sizing a dehumidifier, as the system must be able to handle the resulting moisture load.
3. Air Temperature and Ventilation – ambient air temperature and whether a space uses natural or mechanical ventilation will impact the overall system capacity and design.
4. Type of Dehumidifier – refrigerant-based, or ventilation-assisted.
5. Energy Efficiency – high-efficiency models can help to reduce long-term operating costs, with some units that have the ability for heat recovery, i.e. reclaiming the heat to warm the air or pool water.
6. Noise Levels – important for residential or wellness areas, which may need low-noise models or remotely installed units to minimise disruption.
7. Installation Location and Space Constraints – i.e. wall-mounted units might be more suitable for smaller swimming pools in residential buildings. Other options include floor-standing or ducted systems in larger swimming pools and spa facilities. There should also be adequate space and access for installation, servicing, and maintenance.
8. HVAC & Controls Integration – do the units need to coordinate with existing HVAC controls? This is important for both new builds and retrofits to ensure compatibility and smooth integration.

We Can Help with Specifying Your Swimming Pool Dehumidifier

Need help sizing a swimming pool dehumidifier? Feel free to give us a call on  01372 571 200 or send us a message using our contact form.