Excess humidity in factories and warehouses causes corrosion, mold, electrical failures, and product defects. A single 10% rise in relative humidity can double corrosion rates on steel parts, and condensation in food or pharmaceutical facilities can lead to regulatory violations.
Selecting the right industrial dehumidifier prevents these problems—but only if you match the unit to your environment and moisture load. After reading this blog, you will know exactly how to choose an industrial dehumidifier that can keep your facility dry and safe.
Step 1: Determine the Type Based on Operating Temperature (Refrigerant vs. Desiccant)
This is the first and most critical decision point. The wrong choice will lead to an inefficient or non-functional system. Use the following rule based on your environment’s temperature:
Operating Temperature > 15°C (59°F): Choose a Refrigerant Dehumidifier.
Operating Temperature < 15°C (59°F): Choose a Desiccant Dehumidifier.
Working Principles
Refrigerant Dehumidifiers: These units draw in humid air and cool it using a refrigeration coil. As the air temperature drops, moisture condenses into water and is drained away, while dry air is reheated and released back into the space. This type of dehumidifier is highly efficient in warm and humid environments, such as factories, warehouses, and workshops. A key feature for refrigerant units operating in cooler conditions (e.g., 15-20°C or in spaces with winter drops in temperature) is Auto-Defrost. This function automatically melts any ice buildup on the evaporator coils, preventing the unit from freezing up and ensuring it can continue to operate efficiently in lower temperatures.
Desiccant Dehumidifiers: Instead of cooling the air, desiccant dehumidifiers use a moisture-absorbing material (desiccant wheel) to capture humidity from the air. The saturated desiccant is then regenerated using heated air. These systems perform well in low-temperature or low-humidity conditions, such as cold storage, pharmaceutical plants, and precision manufacturing areas.
Step 2: Select the Installation Style Based on Your Space
- Portable / Mobile: Ideal for scenarios requiring flexibility, such as construction sites, temporary storage, or rotating a single unit between multiple smaller areas. Look for units with durable, industrial-grade casters and push handles.
- Vertical / Floor-Standing: This is the most common fixed-installation style. These units are typically placed against a wall or in a corner, processing large air volumes and providing general humidity control for large workshops or warehouses.
- Ceiling-Mounted / Ducted: When floor space is valuable, a ceiling-mounted unit is the best choice. These can be installed within a false ceiling and use ductwork to provide discreet, even dehumidification to one or more areas, taking up zero floor space. They are common in labs, archives, and high-end storage.
Step 3: Determine the Required Capacity
Capacity is how much water a dehumidifier can remove in a day, usually given in pints per day (PPD) or liters per day. Too little capacity will fail to control the humidity, while too much wastes energy.
Professional Calculation: Required Capacity = Space Size × Humidity Load (+ 15-20% Margin)
- Calculate or Estimate Moisture Load: Larger or wetter spaces contain more total moisture. Manufacturers often specify the maximum area a unit can handle and its PPD rating. If you are unsure, suppliers often provide guidance tools or consultations based on your room volume, humidity levels, and moisture sources.
- Reference Table:
| Environment | Space Example | Recommended Capacity |
| Light damp | 100 m² warehouse | 50–70 PPD（23.7 – 33.1 LPD） |
| Moderately damp | Basement workshop | 70–100 PPD（33.1 – 47.3 LPD） |
| Very damp | Production with open water sources | 100–150 PPD（47.3 – 71.0 LPD） |
| Severe moisture | After leaks/floods | 150–250+ PPD（71.0 – 118.3+ LPD） |
- Allow a safety margin: If you need to remove ~80 pints per day, selecting a 100 PPD unit is prudent. This extra capacity ensures the unit isn’t running at maximum output constantly. For example, if you have a 5,000 sq. ft. warehouse that’s quite damp, and your calculations say ~100 PPD, picking a unit in the 120–150 PPD range provides a buffer for humid days or future needs.
Step 4: Choose a Drainage Method
Industrial dehumidifiers produce a large amount of condensate water. Manually emptying a tank is not feasible for industrial applications.
Continuous Hose / Gravity Drain: Most industrial dehumidifiers let you attach a hose so water can drain directly into a floor drain or sump pit. This allows for continuous operation without any manual intervention.
Built-in Condensate Pump: If your facility doesn’t have a low-level floor drain available, look for models with a built-in condensate pump. A pump can push water upward through a hose into a sink, out a window, or to any drain up to several feet away.
Step 5: Select the Control System
Automated controls are essential for saving labor and energy in an industrial setting.
- Humidistat / Hygrostat: This lets you set a target humidity level. The dehumidifier will automatically cycle on and off to maintain that level, preventing over-drying and saving energy.
- Auto-Restart: This feature is crucial. If a power failure occurs, the unit will resume operation with its previous settings once power is restored, ensuring continuous humidity control.
- Smart Connectivity & Remote Control: For automated facilities or unattended spaces, check for advanced connectivity. This can include Wi-Fi and a mobile App for remote power control, scheduling, and real-time humidity monitoring. For complete Building Management System (BMS) integration, look for models that support an RS-485 communication port.
Step 6: Evaluate Build Quality and Materials
Industrial environments demand high durability.
- Hazardous Location Certifications (Explosion-Proof): If the dehumidifier will be used in hazardous locations with flammable gases, chemical agents, or combustible dust, you must select a model with an Explosion-Proof certification (such as ATEX or other regional equivalents). This is a specific, non-negotiable industrial safety rating, not a standard feature.
- Casing Material: Truly rugged dehumidifiers often use heavy-duty metal (like stainless steel) cabinets. Others use high-grade, impact-resistant plastics, which are lighter and won’t rust.
- Internal Components: Consider the quality of internal components, such as an industrial-grade compressor, fan motor, stainless steel condensation coils, and solid-state controls.
- Anti-Corrosion Treatment: If the dehumidifier will sit in a corrosive or dusty area, features like epoxy-coated coils or easily accessible air filters are a major plus.
Step 7: Assess Energy Efficiency
Because industrial dehumidifiers often run for long hours, energy efficiency is a key factor. When comparing models, check if the manufacturer provides an Energy Factor or Efficiency rating. This is often given in liters of water removed per kilowatt-hour (L/kWh). A higher number means better efficiency.
A large industrial dehumidifier might draw 700–1000+ watts. For instance, at $0.10 per kWh, running 24/7 (24 kWh/day) costs about $2.40 per day (~$72/month). If an efficient model only uses 16 kWh for the same moisture removal, that’s $1.60 per day (~$48/month), saving around $24 monthly.
Step 8: Evaluate Ease of Maintenance
- Air Filter Access: Most dehumidifiers have an air intake filter to trap dust. This filter typically needs cleaning every couple of weeks in a dusty environment. Check that the filter is easy to access and remove. If it’s a simple slide-out mesh or foam filter that you can wash or replace quickly, you’re more likely to actually do it on schedule.
- Coil Cleaning and Drain Maintenance: The evaporator coils may accumulate dust or the condensate tray can get slime buildup. A good design will allow you to reach these parts for periodic cleaning; some dehumidifiers offer coil-cleaning modes. Similarly, the drain line or pump should be accessible to clear any clogs. If the dehumidifier has a built-in pump, check if it has a filter or is designed for easy flushing. Units that make you dismantle half the machine to clean a coil or unclog a hose will likely be neglected, shortening their lifespan.
- Indicators and Alerts: Some advanced models include maintenance reminders – like an indicator light when the filter needs cleaning or if the condensate pump is failing. While not necessary, these little features can be helpful in an industrial setting where you might forget maintenance until something stops working.
Step 9: Verify Warranty and Support
Warranty Length and Coverage: Industrial dehumidifiers aren’t cheap, and you’ll want assurance that your investment is protected. Check the warranty terms – many quality manufacturers offer 1 to 3 years of coverage, and some may have longer warranty on specific components, for example, a 5-year warranty on the compressor or evaporator coils is not uncommon for high-end units. Be sure to note what’s included: does the warranty cover both parts and labor? Is on-site service included or do you need to ship the unit for repairs?
Customer Support and Service: In industrial environments, downtime costs can be high, making after-sales support crucial. Look for manufacturers or suppliers that offer convenient customer service, whether it’s a technical support hotline, online chat, or a local service center. Knowledgeable customer service representatives can quickly help you troubleshoot problems or expedite spare parts delivery.
Our Commitment: We believe that reliable support is just as critical as the hardware itself. At Ruiwang, we are proud to provide the comprehensive, end-to-end after-sales service discussed above, ensuring your operation runs smoothly long after the initial purchase. For complete peace of mind and full transparency, we make our warranty policy clear and accessible. You can review and download our full warranty manual directly.
Click Here to Download the Ruiwang Official Warranty Manual
FAQ
Q: What size industrial dehumidifier do I need?
A: For a small room with mild dampness, a low-capacity unit of around 8–10L is usually sufficient. However, if you need to control humidity across multiple rooms or an entire building, it’s best to choose a larger-capacity dehumidifier rated around 20–30L.
Q: Do industrial dehumidifiers use a lot of electricity?
A: Standard home dehumidifiers typically consume about 200–400 watts per hour, while larger industrial models generally use between 500 and 800 watts per hour—or even more, depending on capacity and usage.
Q: How do I calculate what size dehumidifier I need?
A: For spaces up to 500 square feet, choose a small dehumidifier with about a 10-pint capacity. For larger areas, add roughly 4 pints of capacity for every additional 500 square feet.
If you still don’t know how to choose a suitable dehumidifier after reading this article, you can click on the business card below to contact us, and our sales staff will reply to you as soon as possible!
