Desiccant Dehumidifier: The Alternative to Common Dehumidifiers

8/23/2019 (Permalink)

What is a Desiccant Dehumidifier & What are the Advantages of Using One

Air contains water vapor, also known as humidity. Too much or too little humidity can be harmful to the human body and to the indoor home environment. An ideal indoor humidity is between 40% and 60%. Because mold grows where there is a lot moisture, running a dehumidifier in the areas of your home that have experienced water damage or that are naturally damp, such as a basement, can decrease the occurrence of mold by transforming the damp area into a dry area after only a couple of days. 

What is a Desiccant Dehumidifier & How Does It Work?

Desiccant dehumidifiers are an alternative to common dehumidifiers. Unlike the common dehumidifier, which works by compressor and refrigerant, desiccant dehumidifiers are made up of five components, which do not include compression or a refrigerant: the desiccant itself, a rotor, a condenser, a heater, and one or more blowers.

The desiccant itself is a chemical that ADsorbs, versus absorbs, moisture. Adsorbing is holding onto the molecules of a gas or liquid as a thin film on the outside surface. Simply put, the desiccant pulls the moisture from the air and then releases it when heated. The rotor, or the rotating drum, is made up of corrugated layers, as well as flat sheet layers coated with the desiccant. The moist air is filtered through this desiccant rotor, which processes the warm humid air, absorbing the moisture. Then, the heater warms the humid air, which then condenses at room temperature and drips into a bucket.

Basically, the blower pulls in the humid air; the rotor absorbs the humidity; the heater dries out the air; the remaining moisture condenses into a collection bucket. It’s a mechanical process with no harmful exhaust.

SERVPRO of Stamford uses desiccant humidifiers when we remediate commercial damage. If you have any water damage in your Stamford home or business, do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Stamford.