Used in a wide variety of industrial, commercial, and residential applications, dehumidifiers are devices that extract water from the air in order to reduce the humidity level in a space—and once the desired humidity is reached, to maintain the desired level.
In a sense, they are like reverse humidifiers—but instead of having to fill them with water that is then misted into the air, many (though not all) dehumidifiers include a water tank that will gradually fill with cooled, extracted water as the machine runs and dehumidifies the room. There are many reasons that it may be desirable to reduce the humidity level in a space, from preventing the growth of mold and mildew—which is very likely in moist environments—to simply offering greater comfort in a humid indoor environment.
Humidity is usually measured as a relative humidity percentage from 0 to 100%. In a home or other closed environment, an ideal relative humidity level for comfort is generally between 30% and 60%. While you may find dehumidifiers in homes, particularly in moist environments like basements or bathrooms, air conditioning units are often used to both dehumidify and cool the air during the humid summer months. That being said, dehumidifiers are quite common in construction and industrial applications for both safety and practical reasons, as we'll explore below.
Why are dehumidifiers important in manufacturing plants and industrial applications?
Humidity control is important in such numerous and diverse industries that it would be impossible to cover them all here. That being said, these applications tend to have something in common—they involve a product or process that is sensitive to humidity levels, and that can potentially be spoiled or ruined by high humidity.
In food processing and packaging, for example, high humidity can cause dangerous mold growth, and dehumidifiers are one of the most reliable ways to prevent it. Proper humidity levels are also key in water and wastewater treatment, printing, and many other common manufacturing processes. Maintaining the right humidity level is also essential in indoor gardens, greenhouses, and grow rooms.
Choosing the Right Dehumidifier for Your Space
Though there are a few different types of dehumidifiers available, the most common type are electric refrigeration dehumidifiers. These units work similarly to air conditioners—condensing water from the air by running it over a cold evaporator coil—but instead of exhausting the warm air outside, they release it back into the room. Though there are smaller units for residential purposes, construction and industrial businesses should look at industrial dehumidifiers, which are larger, more powerful, and frequently portable via attached wheels—making them easy to tote between jobsites.
To choose the right dehumidifier, you'll need to know the square footage and the current relative humidity (RH) of your space, which you can measure with a humidity meter such as a hygrometer or thermohygrometer. In the chart above, use the square footage and RH to determine the pint size needed for your application. Pint size refers to the capacity of the unit's water tank (measured in pints) and is the most important number to have in mind when shopping for a dehumidifier. However, keep in mind that you may need to correct for certain humid spaces and climates by purchasing a unit with a slightly higher capacity (about 5-10 additional pints).
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.