According to Energy Star, optimal humidity is between 30-50%. When the moisture reaches a level above this recommended amount, it can trigger respiratory issues and provide an environment in which moisture-related allergens grow. But precisely what does a dehumidifier do?
You might have heard about dehumidifiers in your commercial workspace or industry. In this article, we’ll outline what is a dehumidifier, the purpose of dehumidifiers and how a dehumidifier benefits industrial and commercial spaces.
So, what does a dehumidifier do, and how can installing a dehumidification system improve your workplace? Searose Environmental is here to answer all of your burning questions.
What Is A Dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier is an electrical appliance that removes excess moisture from the air. Dehumidifiers work to reduce and maintain a standard level of humidity in their relative environments. Dehumidifier benefits residential, commercial or industrial properties.
Do you have a humid workplace? Feeling uncomfortable and tired in the workplace due to humidity can be a huge productivity roadblock. Dehumidifiers are excellent appliances that work to reduce the level of moisture.
What Does A Dehumidifier Do?
So, what does a dehumidifier do, exactly? The purpose of dehumidifiers is to remove moisture from the air and provide humidity control, which reduces the presence of moisture-related allergens.
Dehumidifiers are very effective in achieving low humidity and can be used in a variety of applications, including water damage, restoration and mould prevention. There are two options when it comes to purchasing a dehumidifier. The first option is to purchase a stand-alone electric dehumidifier that can be moved around to areas that require it the most. The second option is to purchase a dehumidifier that is built into a custom air handling unit. Dehumidifiers are powerful and easy to maintain.
What Do Dehumidifiers Do: Humidity Control
Australian summers can be punishing, but what’s worse than a burning hot sun is the humidity. Being stuck in a stuffy, sticky environment when you’re trying to work is terrible. Implementing a dehumidifier in your workplace acts to keep humidity under control throughout the working day.
What Do Dehumidifiers Do: Reducing Moisture-Related Allergens
So, what do dehumidifiers do in terms of reducing moisture-related allergens? Dehumidifiers help to combat moisture-related allergens such as mites, mould and mildew.
Mites
According to a research article by A. Arundel, mite populations reach their maximum size at 80% relative humidity. Mites can bite or irritate some people. Mite populations are minimised when the relative humidity is below 50%.
Mould
A. Arundel outlines that most species of fungi cannot grow unless the relative humidity exceeds 60%. Mould produces allergens that can cause allergic reactions and irritation. Moulds are also known to cause asthma attacks. It’s essential to address the presence of mould or similar substances in the workplace immediately. Otherwise, it can pose a health risk to the health and safety of employees.
Mildew
Mildew is a fungus which grows on plants or damp materials. It has a thin whitish coating and is similar to mould. If inhaled, mildew can cause coughing or wheezing, nasal and sinus congestion, headaches, sore throats and respiratory problems.
Are Dehumidifiers Effective?
Under the right conditions, dehumidifiers can be extremely useful in removing moisture from the air, improving the level of comfort for workers in your organisation, reducing the occurrence of mould and other moisture-related allergens. This article will explore further dehumidifier benefits in the next section.
By its very nature, a dehumidifier is much less effective when external moisture is exposed to the operating area. Outside stress and external factors can damage the machine and reduce its performance. The introduction of untreated air or exposed liquids caused by an open door, cleaning or washing can stress the machine.
When a dehumidifier is in use, we recommend educating staff on procedures such as closing doors when opened, notifying another team member when opening a window, and turning the humidifier off when cleaning is in progress. The protocols will ensure optimal function and efficiency of the dehumidifier you choose for your workplace.
Not only are dehumidifiers effective at significantly reducing the moisture in the air, but they are also a more cost-effective solution than an air conditioner as they run more efficiently. On average, a dehumidifier uses about as much electricity as a computer.
Dehumidifier Benefits
Now that you know what is a dehumidifier and what does a dehumidifier do, it’s probably becoming clear what the dehumidifier benefits pertain. There are several benefits of introducing a dehumidifier to your workplace, which we will outline in this article’s section.
Below is a list of dehumidifier benefits:
- Improve health and wellbeing
- Increase the lifespan of electronics
- Increase productivity
- Eliminate odours
- Abolish moisture-related allergens
Benefit 1: Improve Health and Well-being
According to A. Arundel, high humidity levels in indoor environments can affect the incidence of respiratory distress, infections and allergies. Any respiratory irritation or allergens can exacerbate asthma in employees.
Benefit 2: Increase the Lifespan of Electronics
Humidity can be dangerous for computers and other workplace gadgets. We all know that water is bad news for electronic devices, especially laptops. Condensation caused by humidity that has crept into your laptop electronics can cause short circuits. Humidity can also cause moisture to build in small crevices of your electronic goods, leading to rust. Installing a commercial dehumidifier in the workplace can increase the longevity of your electronics.
Benefit 3: Increase Productivity
Dehumidifiers can cool down a workplace and reduce discomfort associated with humidity. Once a dehumidifier works its magic, the air becomes dry, which can cause it to cool or, at the very least, become more bearable. Increasing workplace efficiency relies on management providing a comfortable environment that facilitates productivity.
Benefit 4: Eliminate Odours
There’s no other way to put it; musty odours are not pleasant. When using the word musty, it immediately raises thoughts of uncleanliness, rundown premises and generally unpleasant environments. Musty odours are precisely what a modern, thriving workplace doesn’t want to be known for. To keep your office space feeling, and more importantly, smelling fresh and contemporary, musty odours must go. Dehumidifiers reduce musty odours by targeting the scent’s core cause, which brings us to our last benefit.
Benefit 5: Abolish Moisture-Related Allergens
We heard about the three devilish M’s in an earlier paragraph: mites, mould and mildew. Each of these growth organisms prospers in humid environments and can cause significant health problems in employees. The most significant common denominator in the moisture-related allergens is their capacity to cause severe respiratory problems in those exposed to them, including asthma attacks.
Ready to Reap the Benefits of Dehumidification?
Is your workplace ready for a dehumidifier? Now that we’ve explored in detail what does a dehumidifier do and how it can benefit your workplace, it’s time to select the right one for your specific requirements. At Searose Environmental, we provide leading industrial dehumidification, air filter services, installation and ducting services, flexible ducting and commercial ventilation services.
Searose Environmental can help with powerful dehumidifiers integrated into the whole air handling unit of your organisations. The integration allows for seamless communication between each component of the integrated air handling unit. Our dehumidifiers are reliable and adaptable to almost any environment. Call us or book an enquiry to learn more about how Searose Environmental can help your business.