100 Outdoor air dehumidification systemsControlling the relative indoor humidity in your fitness center will reduce mold and bacteria buildup and produce happy patrons. Without dehumidification systems leading to unacceptable indoor air quality, these facilities tend to get grim pretty fast—when not controlled, moisture buildup from patron sweat results in foul odors, shorter equipment lifespans, and the proliferation of diseases.

Given that many gym facilities now run 24/7 in at least some capacity, counting on traditional air conditioning systems fall short of adequately reducing moisture buildup, and the lack of downtimes means that new moisture is always entering the air. In many areas of the country traditional air conditioning systems are not called upon to operate due to already cold outdoor temperatures leading to no control of moisture build-up. In these cases, it’s best to install a dedicated dehumidification system, which filters liquid particles from the air in tandem with your existing A/C, helping you maintain a clean, sanitary facility.

Why Should You Install a Dehumidification System in Your Fitness Center?

100 Outdoor air dehumidifiersThe average gym patron produces between 27 and 47 ounces of sweat per hour of exercise. Without proper dehumidification, this moisture can seep into mats and equipment, causing mold and mildew buildup. Additionally, excess moisture can corrode equipment, cause electric motor failures, drastically limit the useful life of fitness equipment and damage your building’s integrity.

Because fitness centers tend to have small room volumes relative to the amount of moisture occupants produce, it’s necessary to install low-volume CFM commercial dehumidifiers to prevent sweat’s negative effects.

Commercial dehumidifiers remove excessive moisture from the air by passing  moist air over cold refrigerated coils, causing airborne moisture to condense and leave the system as water condensate. Dehumidifiers come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on their intended application, but they all serve the same purpose of maintaining your facility with acceptable levels of indoor air quality.

Tips for Dehumidifying Your Fitness Center

Dedicated dehumidifiers work in tandem with existing HVAC systems. Because it’s harder to pull moisture from cold air, most gym operators keep their fitness centers between 63 and 68°F.

Don’t forget to consider dehumidifiers in auxiliary areas like locker rooms and aerobics studios. Individuals in these areas generate as much sweat as in your main facility, and the use of showers, hot tubs, and other amenities further affect the air’s moisture content. It’s also important to assess the amount of use different areas of your facility get, so that you can install a dehumidifier best suited to the volume of moisture produced.

Once installed, it’s important to also perform regular maintenance on dehumidifiers. Maintenance tasks include regularly draining and cleaning water tanks as well as ensuring motors and electronic components are in good working condition.

Dehumidifiers for Your Application

Dehumidifiers come with a wide range of customization options to ensure optimal performance no matter the application. Possibilities include:

  • Horizontal or vertical configurations
  • Single or three-phase power options
  • External gas or electric heat power sources
  • BMS control by BACnet
  • Indoor or outdoor/rooftop installation
  • Water source cooling

Working with DCA

When you work with DCA, you can rest easy knowing our top-of-the-line, factory-tested commercial dehumidifiers are on the job. We specially design each dehumidifier to maximize its efficiency and capacity no matter the application.

DCA dehumidifiers work well in small and large facilities alike, providing:

  • Humidity control
  • Additional indoor room heating
  • Optional indoor room cooling
  • Optional assisted pool/spa water heating
  • Optional supplemental pool room heating
  • Trouble-free automatic operation

Contact DCA to learn more about our commercial and custom dehumidification systems. We’re eager to help you get started.

Topics: Humidity, Dehumidification Strategies, Dehumidifiers