Desiccant dehumidifiers aren’t as common as compressor or refrigerant models, but they remove moisture efficiently and may be perfect for your space, especially if it doesn’t have access to heat. Use our guide below as we answer our customers' frequently asked questions.
- What is a desiccant dehumidifier?
- How do desiccant dehumidifiers work?
- When and where should you use a desiccant dehumidifier?
- Do desiccant dehumidifiers use more energy?
- What are the pros and cons of desiccant dehumidifiers?
- Desiccant vs. Compressor Dehumidifiers: Which is best for you?
- How do desiccant dehumidifiers expel moisture?
- What is the lifespan of a desiccant dehumidifier?
- What are the best desiccant dehumidifiers?
What is a desiccant dehumidifier?
Desiccant dehumidifiers don’t have compressors or refrigerant and are designed for use in extreme conditions, typically very cold environments, where compressor dehumidifiers aren’t viable options. Because they collect no condensate, they don’t require draining and are ideal for remote, unheated spaces where oversight is difficult.
How do desiccant dehumidifiers work?
A desiccant dehumidifier removes moisture from the air by using a rotating silica wheel that attracts and adsorbs moisture as air moves through the unit. Then the unit exhausts dry air back out into your space.
Unlike refrigerant dehumidifiers, desiccant dehumidifiers don’t collect moisture in an internal bucket. A small amount of the air that entered the unit is redirected to be used as "reactivation air". Reactivation air is warmed and then pushed back over the desiccant wheel. Since warm air can hold more moisture than cool air, the warm reactivation air picks up moisture and vents it out of the unit using ducts.
When and where should you use a desiccant dehumidifier?
Desiccant dehumidifiers are best for areas that get extremely cold or need to be kept at a very low humidity level. Traditionally, they are used in areas where compressor dehumidifiers aren’t viable.
Examples include:
- Basements without heat
- Garages
- Boats
- Campers
- Commercial freezers/refrigerators
- Indoor grow rooms
- Warehouses
- Factories
- Food industry
Do desiccant dehumidifiers use more energy?
In most cases, yes. Desiccant dehumidifiers typically consume more energy than condenser-based models due to the energy used to regenerate and maintain the desiccant wheel. To remove 1 L of water from a space, desiccant dehumidifiers typically use between 1 and 3 kW of energy, whereas condenser dehumidifiers might use between 0.5 and 1.5 kW.
What are the pros and cons of desiccant dehumidifiers?
Pros
- Extreme Temperatures: The biggest pro is that they work well in extreme temperatures (-4 to 104 degrees) and low-humidity areas where traditional dehumidifiers don’t work. They can maintain healthy humidity levels in homes without heat or other unheated spaces like garages, campers, commercial freezers, and refrigerators.
- No Condensate Draining: Another major benefit is that there’s no draining. Moisture is removed from the silica gel using a heating element to warm a small percentage of intake air, called "regeneration air," which is then exhausted into the space.
Cons
- Upfront Costs: These dehumidifiers can cost more upfront and may require professional installation, depending on the ducting and location.
Desiccant vs. refrigerant dehumidifiers: which is best?
The answer to this question depends on the space where dehumidification is needed. Desiccant dehumidifiers can remove moisture when temperatures drop below freezing, even below zero degrees F. They don’t require draining, so oversight isn’t necessary. In addition, they continue to dehumidify the air so they can achieve very low relative humidity levels. These are ideal when you need to remove moisture from rooms with extreme temperatures, like places without heat, garages, warehouses, or commercial refrigerators.
Refrigerant, or compressor, dehumidifiers remove moisture using a compressor and refrigerated coil. Incoming damp air is cooled to the dew point and condenses. Condensate collects and must be emptied or drained. While they are efficient for use in a variety of residential and commercial spaces, they lose efficiency as the temperature drops. Most don’t work at all under around 41 degrees, and they don’t pull anywhere close to their maximum moisture removal level. For basements or crawl spaces, these tend to be the best options. They remove large amounts of moisture quickly and work efficiently in most conditions.
How do desiccant dehumidifiers expel moisture?
Desiccant dehumidifiers don’t collect moisture in a bucket like compressor dehumidifiers. Most are ducted, so moisture is released through an air stream. This air stream is known as a "reactivation" air stream, and it pushes moisturized air out of the unit and through ducts to another location.
What is the lifespan of a desiccant dehumidifier?
When used correctly in optimal conditions, desiccant dehumidifiers constructed of quality materials can last between 8 and 15 years. To prolong your dehumidifier's life as long as possible, make sure to keep it well-maintained, in a well-ventilated area, and in a good location, free of dust and direct sunlight.
What are the best desiccant dehumidifiers?
As with all air quality products, it depends on your space. Use our general suggestions below, or you can call us at 1-800-934-9194 or email [email protected] for a personal consultation.
Residential Desiccant Dehumidifiers
- Ecor Pro offers a unique blend of compact desiccant dehumidifiers for basement use. Easy to mount, these dehumidifiers are ideal for tough residential and commercial spaces. Their residential units cover large areas (up to 1,000 square feet) in temperatures down to -4 degrees F.
Commercial Desiccant Dehumidifiers
There are multiple popular brands of commercial dehumidifiers. These brands offer large pint capacities, heavy-duty exteriors, and portable options:
- Ecor Pro: This brand also includes stainless-steel models designed for very harsh environments in spaces up to 3500 sq. ft.
- Ebac: Ebac offers the largest number of desiccant dehumidifiers on our site. Browse their selection; we’re confident you’ll find one that fits your commercial space.
- Dri-Eaz: This is a smart, simple, and easily portable model you can use at different job sites. It pulls up to 118 pints of moisture per day.
In Summary
Desiccant dehumidifiers are an effective way to conquer excessive dampness in harsh environments, including marine, remote storage spaces, or any unheated area where oversight is impractical. Because they operate continuously, they can achieve very low relative humidity levels—ideal for environments that require extremely dry conditions.
Still have questions?
Contact us at 770-224-7069 or email us at [email protected] if you have any additional questions about desiccant dehumidifiers or their uses.
