Categories of dehumidifier, Desiccant and Refrigerant

Categories of dehumidifier, Desiccant and Refrigerant

WHY USE A DEHUMIDIFIER?

Whether you have a basement that needs the humidity levels regulating or live in a sticky climate, a dehumidifier will help keep excessive moisture in check.

When a home is too damp, it is prone to produce fungus, mold and mildew. This can cause harmful effects present on the walls, furniture and even clothing.

Extreme amounts of humidity can also create a home for viruses and harmful bacteria that can gravely affect your health.

You should aim for a low humidity level of 30% and nothing higher than 50%.

Dehumidifiers are available in all sizes so you can choose the right one for your home.

TYPES OF DEHUMIDIFIER

There are two main categories of dehumidifier, Desiccant and Refrigerant.

Desiccant

  • The structure of this type includes:
  • Rotor
  • Process fan
  • ​Reactivation fan
  • Honeycomb matrix
  • How does it work?
  • The process begins with damp air being led to the machine by a process fan. This air is then whisked directly to a honeycomb matrix.
  • There, the rotors will absorb the moisture as the dry air is released. The rotor contains desiccant materials in the form of silica gel. When damp air passes through, moisture is sucked out through a network of microscopic intertwined pores.
  • The reactivation stage makes the absorption force weaker so the moisture is able to escape from the desiccant materials.

Refrigerant

  • The structure of this type includes:
  • Fan
  • Water collecting tray or pipe
  • Cold evaporator coils
  • Warm condensing coils
  • How does it work?
  • The kind of technology works by condensing the humidity to help get rid of all the moisture in the space.
  • Damp air will be sucked by the fan and lead the air toward the cold evaporator coil for cooling. This makes the moisture turn into liquid water that is collected and removed either manually or through a drain.
  • The air will then proceed to the warm condensing. This heats it up before being released.
  • DESICCANT VS REFRIGERANT
  • Physicality
  • The refrigerant coil weighs more as it includes heavier parts. Due to the weight, manufacturers usually include wheels for easy mobility with refrigerant models.
  • Costs
  • Because of its smaller size, many assume that desiccant dehumidifiers are cheaper to run than those with refrigerant coils. In fact, the refrigerant runs on less energy.
  • Sounds
  • Desiccant dehumidifiers are a fair bit quieter than refrigerants. Refrigerants use compressors to get rid of moisture from the air so kick out more noise.
  • Capacity
  • The refrigerant coil is able to remove a large amount of water vapor each day. In areas with high amounts of moisture, this type works best.
  • Temperature Operation
  • The refrigerant coil dehumidifier uses cold air to evaporate moisture. The desiccant variety uses the porous form of granular silica to get rid of humidity without any unwanted heat.

 

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