Dehumidifiers

Dehumidifiers are a crucial part of restoring water damaged properties. Their purpose it to remove airborne moisture and prevent additional condensation which typically leads to mold and mildew issues. The dehumidifier also works alongside the air mover fan to help dry the environment at a quicker rate. When these devices are used in conjunction with commercial or industrial air movers, they provide an ideal solution for drying a water-damaged environment so that it can be repaired.

There are two types of dehumidifiers in the marketplace:

• Conventional Dehumidifiers – These types of dehumidifiers condense water vapor by passing the air over refrigerated coils, using a heat pipe to prevent frost from forming. These models are suited for most water damage restoration jobs as they are very easily transported from place to place, and tend to be less expensive than the LGR models.
• LGR dehumidifiers – LGR, or low grain refrigerant, dehumidifiers use a double cooling system that lowers the temperature of moisture-filled air once it has entered the machine. This leads to more condensation forming on the coils inside the machine, which in turn leads to more moisture being extracted from the air and less moisture that reenters the room when the air passes back out of the machine. LGR dehumidifiers remove more moisture from the air, making them the better choice for more severe water damage projects.

Here are some professional-grade dehumidifier equipment buying tips:

If you are in the restoration industry, you will hear the terms “AHAM” and “saturation” used in rating the performance of commercial dehumidifiers. These standards are intended to help you understand the machine’s capabilities so that you are able to select the right dehumidifier for your work.

AHAM is an acronym for the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. AHAM ratings refer to expected performance at what are considered “average” conditions – 60 percent humidity and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. AHAM ratings are believed to present a realistic picture of how equipment will perform in an “average” environment. ratings are taken at average conditions, which are dictated to be 60 percent humidity and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. So, if a dehumidifier is rated at 75 PPD AHAM, that means that you can expect it to remove 75 pints of water per day at AHAM conditions.

The Saturation rating represents a dehumidifier’s capabilities in an environment when much higher levels of moisture are present. Saturation ratings are measured at 90 percent humidity and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. These types of extreme conditions will not often be seen in the field, but they are intended to give you an idea of a commercial dehumidifier’s maximum moisture removal capabilities. A saturation rating is taken at 90 percent humidity and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which represent much more extreme conditions that won’t often be experienced in the field.

Industrial Fans Direct carries quality commercial-grade dehumidfiers from top brands like B-Air and Xpower Manufacturing