Having comfortable working conditions can seriously boost productivity and job satisfaction. One way to create a more comfortable environment on construction sites is by reducing humidity levels. That is the job of construction dehumidifiers. In this article, we’ll talk about why portable commercial dehumidifiers are important and how they can significantly improve working conditions on a hot, muggy job site.
Portable Construction Dehumidifiers
Portable construction dehumidifiers play a crucial role in the construction industry. They assist in maintaining optimal moisture levels in construction areas, minimizing mold growth and mitigating the detrimental impact of high humidity on construction materials.
How Does a Dehumidifier Work?
A portable construction dehumidifier works by condensing moisture to lower the humidity in the air. It’s made up of a fan compressor, a reheater, cooling coils, and a reservoir. Here’s how these parts come together:
- A fan pulls in air from its surroundings. As the air goes through the dehumidifier, it comes into contact with the cooled coils. The cooling process reduces the air’s moisture capacity, causing condensation to form.
- The moisture extracted from the air through condensation remains on the coils and eventually drips into the dehumidifier’s reservoir.
- The dehumidifier reheats the air and exhausts it back into the room, now with reduced humidity.
The reservoir where the collected moisture is stored typically comes in the form of a removable plastic bucket. This bucket often includes a hose connection for automatic draining of the water it collects. In addition, most dehumidifiers are equipped with an automatic shut-off feature to prevent any overflow.
To increase your control over the desired humidity level on the job site, many models come with a convenient feature called a humidistat. The humidistat consists of two important components: a sensing element and a relay amplifier. The sensing element measures changes in humidity using electrical resistance, while the relay amplifier uses these measurements to turn the dehumidifier on or off. With this smart functionality, you can keep your space comfortable and mold-free effortlessly.
What to Consider When Choosing a Construction Dehumidifier
- In terms of dealing with the collected water, most portable dehumidifiers use a removable plastic container. These often come with indicators to alert you when they need to be emptied, as well as automatic shut offs to prevent overflow.
- The temperature of the space you’re drying is also crucial. If the room regularly drops below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, a dehumidifier designed for lower temperatures might be the best option.
- Energy efficiency is another significant factor to consider. You can gauge this by the dehumidifier’s integrated energy factor, which measures how much water it can remove per kilowatt-hour of energy used. A higher factor typically means a more efficient machine.
- Most buildings will eventually deal with excess moisture, leaks, or flooding. This can cause various problems, including potential health risks from mold and chemicals. It all depends on factors like building design, maintenance, climate, and more.
When selecting a construction dehumidifier, it’s important to consider not only the unit’s specifications but also the conditions within the building and the surrounding environment.
The Benefits of Dehumidifiers on Construction Sites
Improving Air Quality and Comfort
Excessive humidity in an office building or warehouse can lead to an increase in airborne dust and pollen, adversely affecting the health and well-being of your team. This can particularly pose difficulties for individuals with allergies or asthma, making breathing more challenging.
Maintaining Tools and Equipment
Commercial or industrial dehumidifiers will help keep your tools and equipment in top condition, especially those made from iron or steel, which are susceptible to rust.
Speeding up Painting Processes
When it comes to painting walls, furniture, or equipment, it’s important to manage the relative humidity for better paint adhesion. Using a portable dehumidifier is a practical way to achieve great results.
Preventing Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew reduce the air quality on the site and can damage equipment, walls, flooring. Using commercial dehumidifiers can effectively stop mold and mildew, saving you from expensive clean-ups and remediation.
Choosing the Best Portable Commercial Dehumidifier
When choosing a dehumidifier, it is important to consider the size of your space, room temperature, and relative humidity (RH). These factors can have an impact on the performance and moisture removal rate of dehumidifiers.
The Wacker Neuson AD 85LGR – Available at The Pro Group
One of the unique features of the Wacker Neuson AD 85LGR is its compact design, which allows for both horizontal and vertical stacking for storage. This flexibility can be particularly beneficial in construction sites where space might be limited.
With a powerful airflow of 300 CFM and a dehumidification capacity of 85 ppd, it efficiently removes excess humidity from large air volumes. This commercial-grade dehumidifier operates on a standard 115V voltage at a frequency of 60Hz, and it can handle temperatures ranging from 33 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Say goodbye to dampness and hello to a comfortable environment!
Finally, the AD 85LGR uses Low Grain Refrigerant (LGR) as a coolant type. LGR dehumidifiers are designed to optimize the moisture removal process by cooling the air to lower dew points, effectively pulling more water from the air. This makes the Wacker Neuson AD 85LGR a highly efficient solution for managing humidity levels at construction sites.
To get expert advice on the right dehumidifier for your construction site, please visit Pro Tool & Supply. Our team of professionals will help you select the perfect dehumidifier to suit your needs and improve the comfort and productivity of your workers. Contact us today!
