Industrial dehumidifiers are normally separated into two distinct types, refrigerated and desiccant. Generally refrigerated dehumidifiers are specified for applications where dew points of 50 degrees and higher are required. Desiccant dehumidifiers are specified when dew points of less than 50 degrees are required.
The information below will concern itself with refrigerated dehumidifiers only.
Industrial dehumidifiers are designed to control humidity and improve air quality in large spaces, like warehouses, gyms, pool rooms, stores, greenhouses, hospitals, manufacturing facilities and many more. In these environments, excess humidity isn’t just uncomfortable – it will destroy a structure with mold, mildew and corrosion in a short time if left uncontrolled. In applications where the end manufactured product is susceptible to moisture, in its production, the quality of the end product can be compromised and made unacceptable . Residential dehumidifiers are normally portable and operate on normal household current and aren’t expected to manage the workload of an industrial unit. Commercial dehumidification systems are normally permanent installations requiring ductwork to distribute dehumidified air uniformly. They also operate on commercial 240 volt single phase or 480 volt three phase power and others.
If your application requires humidity and temperature control to ensure the quality of your products or services, it’s essential to invest in an appropriate industrial dehumidification system that designed for the size of your space, and the dew point and room temperature required.
Types of Industrial/Commercial Dehumidifiers & Applications
At Dehumidifier Corporation of America (DCA), we offer a wide range of standard and custom dehumidifying solutions:
- Horizontal Dehumidifiers: These are installed to replace a customer’s horizontal air flow unit, or anywhere the supply and return ductwork allows for horizontal installation. Top or bottom air discharge options are available, along with a wide array of CFMs ranging from 650 (1.5 nominal tons) to 14,000 (30 nominal tons).
- Vertical Dehumidifiers: These are ideal where floor space is scarce, and they feature a standard left-side return (or optional right-side return) with top or side discharge to accommodate your existing duct system. Sizes range from 650 (1.5 nominal tons) to 3600 CFMs (8 nominal tons). Add-on room space heating via gas or electric duct heaters or hot water coils is also available.
- Replacement Dehumidifiers: DCA dehumidifiers are often chosen to replace aging and defunct dehumidification systems in a variety of applications. DCA has replacement dehumidifiers to replace any refrigerated commercial dehumidifier built in the last 70 years.
Industrial and commercial dehumidification solutions from DCA are trusted in a wide range of applications:
- Hotel/motel and residential indoor pool rooms and hot tubs
- Therapy pools – gyms and fitness centers
- Manufacturing facilities where control of dew point is critical
- Warehouses, storage rooms, and other industrial settings
- Greenhouses, vertical grow farms, and indoor grow houses
- 100% outdoor air dehumidification
If a standard system isn’t right for your application, DCA specializes in custom solutions that meet your specific requirements.
Considerations When Selecting a Dehumidifier
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to industrial dehumidifiers. Each space has specific requirements and challenges, and choosing a system requires careful consideration of several factors:
- Dew point and desired room temperature
- Internal moisture and people load
- Facility size
- Door and window quantity and location along with door opening in minutes per hour
- Building construction material and relative tightness of structure
- Location and climate along with amount of outdoor make up air needed
For pool rooms, you can use DCA’s Selection Software to help you determine what dehumidifier you need. For other applications, our experienced team of experts can help you choose the right solution.
Common Dehumidifier Issues
Your dehumidifier is an essential part of your business, which means it needs to operate optimally at all times. However, these units are complex, and any complex machinery will have issues from time to time. Here are three of the most common dehumidifier problems and how to troubleshoot them:
The Dehumidifier Doesn’t Operate At All
- Make sure the main power panel switch is ON and there are no tripped breakers or faulty fuses.
- Confirm that the high pressure switch is not open
- Confirm that controls are calling for dehumidification
- Verify that the humidistat is set between 50 and 60 percent relative humidity.
- If it still doesn’t work, call your HVAC service provider.
Humidity Will Not Reach the Set Point
- Check the indicator light to ensure the compressor is operating. If not, contact your HVAC service provider.
- Use a separate calibrated hygrometer to determine the actual relative humidity in the room. If it is between 50 and 60 percent, then it could mean the humidity sensor or humidity control on your unit is defective.
- In a pool room, verify the pool water temperature is two degrees below the room temperature. If there’s more than a five degree difference, it could be the room heating source is not operating properly.
- The pool water temperature has been allowed to rise into the high 80 degree or low 90 degree range.
The Head Pressure is Too High
- Replace the blower belt and tighten to the correct tension.
- Make sure diffusers or dampers have not been obstructed.
- Make sure return air filters are not clogged or restricting air flow.
- If the high head pressure switch is tripped during cooling, the remote condenser coils may be clogged or the outdoor condenser blower may need attention.
DCA’s Support Tools & Resources
At DCA, our mission is to provide high-quality, effective dehumidification solutions and help you keep them operating smoothly. To that end, we offer a variety of resources and support:
- Support Tools and Information: Our warranty information, selection software, product catalog, and replacement identifier can help you determine what products you need.
- FAQs: Browse the answers to some of the most common questions about dehumidifiers.
- DCA Blogs: We post in-depth articles about dehumidification systems, common challenges, and creative solutions.
- Resources: Our resource library features a variety of free downloads to help you learn more.
- Case Studies: Take a closer look at real-life DCA solutions to challenging humidity problems in a variety of applications.
At Dehumidifier Corporation of America, we specialize in industrial dehumidification solutions for pool rooms, greenhouses, warehouses, and many other environments. Contact us to learn more about our standard dehumidifiers and custom solutions.
Topics: Industrial dehumidifiers
