The presence of moisture in industrial warehouse spaces threatens the interior of the structure, machinery and handling equipment, and the stored inventory. In addition to these threats, humid conditions inside manufacturing plants and working environments may have a negative effect on employee performance and overall morale.
The primary contributors to increased humidity and moisture problems inside industrial facilities are cracked windows, door gaps, and any other openings where warm air might enter. Surface materials—like floors, ceilings, crates and packages, and machinery—reach their dew point at night when warm air cools and the condensation process leaves behind accumulated moisture.
Common issues such as sweating on concrete surfaces, rust, and rot are the result of moisture accumulation, contributing to inventory and capital equipment losses as well as compliance issues regarding employee health and safety. Industrial dehumidifiers provide a viable solution for combating warehouse humidity, improving working conditions, and protecting your bottom line.
How an Industrial Dehumidifier Can Help
Controlling dew points and relative humidity in industrial applications from waste and freshwater treatment plants, indoor grow rooms, archive storage facilities, and a variety of other instances is made possible by using industrial dehumidifiers. They provide supplementary airflow throughout factories and warehouses during daytime hours and mitigate condensation issues that occur overnight.
How Warehouse Dehumidifiers Work
Industrial dehumidifiers operate as follows:
- Dehumidifiers draw air into the unit using a fan.
- As the air passes over the refrigerated coils inside the unit, the moisture within it condenses and drips into a collection reservoir.
- The heat recovery system inside the dehumidifier warms the cooled air and returns it into the space approximately 2º C warmer and free of moisture.
- The unit turns off automatically whenever the collection reservoir becomes full or after the spaces reaches the desired relative humidity.
- A defrosting system gets rid of any ice that might buildup within the system.
Factors to Consider
Selecting the best commercial warehouse dehumidifier is a critical decision for any organization with a need for improved climate control. Decision makers must consider a variety of factors during the selection process, including:
Facility Size
The dimensional space or volume of air contained in a facility—typically measured in cubic feet—is the first consideration for selecting the right dehumidifier unit. Knowing the volume of air that will circulate through a unit is a critical factor in unit sizing. In cases where a single unit does not have the capacity to handle facility air volume, multiple units may be necessary.
Facility Climate
Various factors usually related to local or regional climate conditions, such as relative humidity and seasonal or year-round temperatures, will contribute to unit performance requirements. Facility factors like the number of loading bay doors, the frequency with which doors are opened, and the length of time outside air is able to enter the facility also contribute to dehumidifier unit performance.
Facility Contents and Equipment
The level of moisture control required for an industrial space is dependent upon what is contained within it. Some items and inventory are more sensitive to moisture than others. Facilities where employees and machinery operate continually or with great frequency usually include additional climate control systems like heating, cooling, or air filtration. Units used in these environments will have to meet increased or decreased performance specifications and integrate with these other climate control elements.
Industrial vs. Residential Dehumidifiers
In comparison with home or residential dehumidifiers, industrial units are significantly larger, handle much higher volumes, and are made of more durable materials. Industrial units perform better than residential units in climates where extreme heat, cold, or relative humidity are common.
Reservoir emptying in residential units is usually manual, where industrial units tend to include automated or continuous drainage. Industrial dehumidifiers may also include additional include cleaning and maintenance requirements, which are not as critical in smaller, home units.
DCA Solutions
The industrial dehumidifiers provided by Dehumidifier Corporation of America (DCA) significantly outperform standard air conditioning or HVAC systems in terms of moisture removal. Our team carefully selects and installs our units to meet or exceed the unique specifications and climate needs of the facilities where they are installed.
The industrial dehumidifier options available from DCA include:
- Choice of horizontal or vertical units
- Indoor or outdoor installations (horizontal units only)
- Rooftop, curb mounted units
- Water source cooling
- External gas or electric heating
- Internal hot water heating
- BMS (building management system) controls – BACnet
DCA offers air-cooled systems, as well as water-cooled versions that use sources such as geothermal energy, chillers, cooling towers, processed water, or municipal water. We have specialized in providing dehumidifying systems for a broad range of facilities and applications since 1995, providing units with the most up-to-date technology available at the most competitive prices offered in the industry.
Contact us to learn more about the industrial dehumidifier solutions available from Dehumidifier Corporation of America or request a free project analysis for your facility.
