Industrial Dehumidifier Buying Guide (2025)

Commercial, or industrial, dehumidifiers usually require a fairly substantial cash layout, so you want to be sure the unit you are buying is what you actually need to solve the problem. Whether that's mitigating high humidity in a growing facility, storage area, or other space, or dealing with the aftermath of a flood, there is a correct type and size that will be the best option for the situation.

• How Do I Choose a Commercial Dehumidifier?
• What Size Commercial Dehumidifier Do I Need?
• How Do Commercial Dehumidifiers Work?
• Features & Specifications to Consider

If you are looking for a residential dehumidifier for a room, or for your crawl space or basement, see our Buying Guide for Residential Dehumidifiers.

How Do I Choose a Commercial Dehumidifier?

When it comes to investing in an industrial dehumidifier, it’s important to find the correct type and size that will get the job done, without being excessive. Your selection should be based on the intended use and environment for the dehumidifier, as well as the size of the space. This will determine the size you need, the operating type, and the way it should be installed or used.

There are three basic types of commercial dehumidifiers outlined below. For more detailed information about these types, take a look at this article: Types of Dehumidifiers for Industrial Applications.

• Refrigerant: Uses a compressor, evaporator coil, and refrigerant to condense moisture from the air.
• LGR (low-grain refrigerant): Uses specialized low-grain refrigerant plus a double cooling internal process to pre-cool air. Operates at temperatures down to 33° F.
• Desiccant: Uses silica gel on a wheel to adsorb moisture without creating condensate, and can operate at sub-zero temperatures.

Water damage restoration is an enormous task, requiring a range of specialized equipment. This WDR resource provides additional information for those seeking solutions.

What Size Commercial Dehumidifier Do I Need?

Industrial dehumidifiers are “sized” by how many pints of moisture they remove in a 24-hour period. This is usually determined at AHAM (80° F, 60% RH). So, the effectiveness depends more on the desired RH and temperature, the ambient RH and people load in the structure, the process going on in the space, as well as its size. The type of materials used in the structure and the tightness of the construction are also relevant considerations.

Unfortunately, there is no simple one-and-done formula for this. However, many manufacturers offer personalized guidance to determine the size and number of commercial dehumidifiers needed to establish and maintain the right humidity level for your space.

How Do Commercial Dehumidifiers Work?

As previously stated, there are really two basic types, refrigerant and desiccant, and they work through very different processes. Our article outlining their differences and the benefits of each may also be of help.

Refrigerant dehumidifiers, sometimes called compressor dehumidifiers, remove moisture from cooled air, draining the resulting condensate (water) to an appropriate location. Most refrigerant and LGR commercial dehumidifiers can operate to an RH setpoint, using either an on-board humidistat or an external humidity control, in order to achieve and maintain it. Standard refrigerant models need a minimum operating temperature of not less than about 41° F, while LGR models can run effectively in temperatures as low as 33° F. These tough dehumidifiers are useful in a variety of industrial applications, including indoor growing.

Desiccant dehumidifiers use a desiccant wheel layered with silica gel and a small internal heater/blower to adsorb moisture from the air on a continuous basis. As a result, desiccant units can continue to lower the humidity in a tightly enclosed space to very low RH levels, ideal for pharmaceuticals and food production. Since they don’t use refrigerants, they can operate in sub-zero temperatures, usually down to about -4° F. And, since they produce no condensate, they don’t need a lot of oversight, making them a great option for unattended remote areas, boats, and other marine environments.

To better understand these lesser-known dehumidifiers, see our FAQ article.

Features & Specifications to Consider

Beyond the obvious water-removal capabilities of industrial dehumidifiers, these are some other features that can be considered, based on individual needs.

• Ducting: There are situations where being able to duct the dehumidifier is desirable, for instance indoor pool or spa rooms, “quiet” spaces, or areas where floor space is limited.
• Portability: Many upright models are equipped with wheels and handles. For water damage restoration businesses this is huge, making transporting and placing equipment much easier.
• Fan Options: There are times when the fan needs to run continuously, and others only when the compressor is operating. If needed, make sure to find a model with both options available.
• Internal Pump: Some refrigerant models include an internal condensate pump which can be a great help in removing accumulated moisture to a remote location.
• Electrical Requirements: Consider whether you need a unit that plugs in or one that is hard-wired, and the voltage requirements of the building.
• Desired Temperature Levels: An industrial refrigerant dehumidifier only adds about 3 degrees to the area where it is operating. Desiccant models can increase ambient temperatures by 10-15 degrees over time, especially in small spaces.
• Speed of Dehumidification: For faster results on the front end, refrigerant models work more quickly than desiccant. However, commercial desiccant dehumidifiers will continue to reduce humidity over time to achieve very low RH levels.

In Summary

Determining which industrial dehumidifier is the right one for you involves analyzing your space in detail to ensure that you have the right amount of moisture removal required, without going way beyond what is needed. While there is no definitive formula for this, many manufacturers provide assistance in customizing dehumidification for your space. You can determine which type of dehumidifier is best for you based on where it’s located, and the level of humidity you need to maintain.