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When to Consider Adding a Commercial Dehumidification System to Your Present HVAC System

When a project calls for a constant, specific room dew point above 50°F in its operation, normally the addition of a commercial A/C system is the first step. Room air conditioning will remove a certain amount of moisture while adding cool air to the space for comfort.

If the desired dew point is not met with the addition of an A/C system the best solution is to add a commercial DCA mechanical dehumidification system to achieve the desired result. Unwanted moisture can come from many sources, such as moisture released through a specific process that has to be addressed. Moisture from outdoor air being introduced into a room along with a dedicated exhaust fan is also a major factor that has to be considered, especially in wet climates. For example, moisture can enter a room through building walls and ceilings without a vapor barrier, leaky windows and doors, or doors being intermintally opened to a space. These are some of the most obvious examples but other less obvious examples may also be a factor.

Commercial indoor swimming pools and hot tubs used in motels, hotels, YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, high schools, nursing homes, therapy pools, and others are always best served by DCA dehumidification systems because of the large moist load present that must be controlled.

Rooms that require a dew point of less than 50°F rely on desiccant dehumidifiers to maintain the desired dewpoint. While DCA does not carry desiccant dehumidifiers, we can supply a mechanical dehumidifier that removes the largest amount of the moisture to reliably work with a desiccant dehumidifier. The mechanical dehumidifier removes the majority of the moisture load from the room so the desiccant dehumidifier can lower the dew point to a precise range below 50°F.

Vegetable plants in rows in an indoor grow room   

Does Your Commercial Space Need Dehumidification?

Dehumidification is a vital consideration for projects that require maintaining a constant specific dew point. It can help remove large moisture loads and lower dew points that ordinary A/C systems cannot. Some typical commercial settings that use DCA dehumidification, other than indoor pools mentioned above, are the printing industry to control registry, the indoor grow industry for clean vegetable and medical marijuana growth, rooms for assembly work, warehousing, the grinding industry using water-based coolant to cool tooling, fresh and waste water treatment plants, the packaging industry for packing material that will naturally take on moisture and negatively compromise the end product.

In general terms, any industry that is negatively compromised by uncontrolled moisture will enjoy the benefits of dehumidification. At DCA, our sales engineers help facility operators determine the ideal dehumidification solution for their projects.

Benefits of Adding a Dehumidifier to Your HVAC System:

Conventional central air conditioning is the first step to reducing the moisture in a room. If a central air conditioning unit does not deliver the dew point required, a commercial dehumidification solution will solve the problem.

Hot and humid air requires more energy to cool. A dehumidifier can reduce the cost of cooling a space by reducing stress on the air conditioner and energy consumption. Reduced humidity can also improve air quality, preventing the prevalence of mold, bacteria, viruses, and dust mites.

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When to Consider Adding a Commercial Dehumidification System to Your Present HVAC System

Selecting the Appropriate Dehumidifier Options That Best Suit Your Needs

When selecting a dehumidification option that is suitable for an application, the following considerations are to be considered:

  • A vertical or horizontal configuration
  • A standard end discharge or an optional bottom or top configuration
  • Rooftop, indoor, or outdoor installation
  • Single or three-phase power
  • Electric or gas heating
  • BMS control with BACnet
  • Custom controls for integration into existing BMS
  • Provisions for outdoor air introduction to the space through the dehumidifier
  • Water cooling or remote condenser
  • Class 1 Division 2 rating to meet explosion-proof requirements
  • Increased or decreased airflow deviation from our standard catalog of dehumidifiers
  • Various other custom options to suit any specifications

Why DCA?

At DCA, our sales engineers convey their extensive knowledge and experience in dehumidification by providing solutions to our clients. We specialize in dehumidification and offer solutions for custom dehumidification projects. In the few cases where a project exceeds our knowledge, we will refer you to the people that can fulfill your needs.

Contact Us Today for Custom Dehumidification Solutions

Various projects require maintaining a consistent dew point for performance and function. A dehumidifier is an ideal solution when a process or environmental factor is creating high humidity that a commercial air conditioner alone cannot eliminate. We can add a dehumidifier to an HVAC system to reduce stress on the air conditioner and help you maintain the desired dewpoint in a space that would be too humid without it.

When selecting an HVAC dehumidifier for your space, there are various considerations, including the position and configuration of the dehumidifier, BMS integration, airflow, and custom options to enhance performance. At DCA, we specialize in mechanical dehumidifiers for commercial HVAC applications. Our specialists have the knowledge and experience to help you find a solution that suits your needs.

Contact us to learn more about our custom dehumidification solutions, or request a quote today.

Selecting the Best Commercial Dehumidifier for Your Needs

High humidity poses a serious problem for many facilities. Not only does excess moisture make occupants uncomfortable, but it can render a room less safe, encouraging mold growth and interfering with electrical devices. Similarly, in a warehouse or factory setting, uncontrolled humidity can damage products or even interrupt processing.

Maintaining a relatively dry atmosphere is essential to preventing these outcomes. However, residential dehumidifiers are not powerful enough for large spaces or high-volume requirements. Instead, facilities can turn to commercial dehumidifiers, which can remove anywhere from a few pounds to several hundred pounds of water each day. These systems make it simple to regulate air quality specifications, no matter the size of the space.

Commercial dehumidifiers can be split into two groups based on their mechanism of action. Desiccant units use materials like silica gel to extract moisture, while mechanical ones rely on refrigeration to condense water and remove it from the air. At DCA, we specialize in powerful mechanical dehumidifiers that perform well in diverse environments. These systems ensure consistent ventilation and optimal moisture management to keep interiors healthy and comfortable.

Where To Use a Commercial Dehumidifier?

Mechanical dehumidifiers are best suited for environments with dew points over 50° F and temperatures between 60° and 90° F. This range makes them effective for many types of buildings, ranging from fitness centers to factories. They work well for even high-volume needs and can help facilities comply with strict health and safety regulations.

Some of the many applications of commercial dehumidifiers include, but are not limited to:

  • Indoor swimming pool rooms of any size
  • Therapeutic pools, whirlpools, spas, and hydrotherapy centers
  • Hotels, motels, fitness centers, gyms, and retirement homes
  • Retirement homes, residential care homes, hospitals, schools and universities
  • Processing and blending facilities where hygroscopic material are being used
  • Wastewater and freshwater management facilities
  • Climate and humidity controlled warehousing
  • Grow rooms, aquaculture, and vertical farming
  • Machining and grinding operations where water-based coolant is used to cool tooling
  • Custom applications where a desired specific dew point is critical
  • High moisture load applications housed in small volume spaces
  • 100% outdoor air applications

Many other applications are possible, and custom units are available to accommodate unique demands.

DCA Commercial Dehumidifiers

DCA offers a full range of commercial dehumidifiers designed for permanent installation. Before choosing a unit, it is important to define environmental variables and operating parameters. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Desired room temperature served by the dehumidifier
  • Desired dew point and humidity set point for the application
  • Room size, building air infiltration, doors and windows, occupants
  • Area climate data for the project
  • Moisture load and source to be removed in lbs/hr
  • Outdoor make-up air requirements
  • Any unusual requirements such as a particularly dirty or dusty conditions

Typically, the system should provide six to eight air turns per hour. DCA can help you identify the ideal model to meet this requirement.

Whatever the specific model, all DCA dehumidifiers conform to high quality standards, offering high moisture removal rates with low energy consumption. Most are designed with attached ducting for permanent installation, all supported by durable construction. Outfitted with heavy-duty steel cabinets, these professional dehumidifier units can endure harsh environments for prolonged periods of time. They also support continuous operation and a variety of return air filtration options.

DCA’s high-performance dehumidifiers offer the following capabilities:

  • Remove large volumes of moisture present
  • Operate on 208/230 volt (1- & 3-phase) or 460 or 575 volt (3-phase)
  • Interface with building management systems
  • Heat or cool the room in tandem with dehumidification
  • Work with add-ons for particle control, odor removal, water heating, and more

Together, these benefits make DCA’s offerings exceptionally versatile. Whatever your dehumidification needs, the DCA team will work to match your requirements with the ideal commercial unit.

Why Work With DCA?

Dehumidifier Corporation of America is approaching 30 years of building expertise in dehumidification. The result is a comprehensive catalog that features the best commercial dehumidifiers in the industry. DCA’s portfolio includes dehumidifiers for hot tubs and pools, industrial facilities, indoor grow rooms, and public buildings with 100% outdoor make-up air systems.

DCA is proud to offer systems featuring state-of-the-art technology at competitive price points. Standard options 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
  • Dedicated control systems that interface with present building management systems

Custom solutions are also available for clients with specialized needs. A skilled engineering team is available to assist all clients with evaluating models against their facility’s individualized needs and constraints. We can help design a customized dehumidifier plan for you.

Commercial dehumidification is complicated, and DCA can help you find the best option to protect your products, staff, and facilities. To learn more about available models, review the latest dehumidifier catalog. For more personal guidance, contact the team or request your free project analysis today.

Commercial Dehumidifiers for Assorted Applications

Climate and humidity control are major considerations for businesses in a wide range of industries where the control of relative humidity and dew point are crucial.  The following are several, but not limited to, examples including hotels/motels, fitness centers, warehousing facilities pharmaceuticals, museums, water treatment plants, packaging,  printing industry and outdoor makeup air. Uncontrolled humidity in these environments can result in defective products, mold, mildew, corrosion leading to unnecessary unforseen costs. 

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Want to learn more troubleshooting tips ?

We’ve only looked at three common problems here, but there are a host of other issues that can cause dehumidifier malfunctioning.

To read more about what can go wrong with dehumidifiers and learn how to fix problems quickly and efficiently, download our free dehumidifier troubleshooting guide today.

Download our Free Troubleshooting Guide
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