Specs You Need to Know When Renting a Commercial Dehumidifier

Whether you’re drying out a room that experienced water damage or need to eliminate high relative humidity levels, understanding dehumidifier specifications will help you choose the right unit type and size for the space in question. When you rent a dehumidifier, using an appropriate model saves time, money and energy costs. It will also help prevent the dangers associated with high humidity levels, such as mold growth, material deterioration or corrosion.

Important Specifications When You Rent a Dehumidifier

• Air changes per hour (ACH): The number of times the air in an area passes through a dehumidifier every hour. Areas with high relative humidity levels require dehumidifiers with higher ACHs.
• Cubic feet per minute (CFM): The amount of air a dehumidifier moves in one minute. To calculate this figure, multiply the room’s cubic square footage by the ACH value. Then divide the product by 60 (minutes).
• Capacity, or water removal capacity: The amount of water the dehumidifier removes from the air, measured in pints per 24 hours.
• Coverage area: The number of square feet in which the dehumidifier works effectively. To save energy, rent a humidifier whose coverage area isn’t too small or large.
• Energy factor: The dehumidifier’s efficiency, measured in the liters of water removed for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy used.
• Operating temperature range: The ideal temperatures in which to use the dehumidifier.
• Bucket capacity: If applicable, the amount of water the dehumidifier’s bucket holds, measured in pints.
• Internal condensate pump: The dehumidifier automatically pumps water vertically into a basin or sink.
• Direct, or gravity, drain: The dehumidifier uses gravity to feed water into a floor drain or sump pump.
• Continuous draining: Units that allow for draining into a sink instead of a bucket.
• Decibel (dBa) rating or sound level: The amount of noise the dehumidifier produces.
• Desiccant dehumidifier: A dehumidifier that uses a desiccant material to absorb moisture from the air, which is ideal for use in cold temperatures.
• Automatic defrost or low temperature operation: A function that prevents a unit from freezing when temperatures drop below a certain level.
• Automatic humidistat: A sensor that measures moisture levels and automatically shuts off or turns on to save energy.
• Automatic shut-off: The unit turns off when the water storage tank is full or when the area achieves the desired relative humidity levels.
• Discharge location, or orientation: The area where air discharges from the dehumidifier. Those with top-mounted discharge allow for placement against a wall. Otherwise, you need to keep the unit away from walls and objects, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Hygrometer: A gauge that measures relative humidity levels.
• Refrigeration: The type of refrigerant chemicals used within the dehumidifier.

Different applications have varying dehumidification needs. To ensure that you’re using the right equipment for your needs, rent a dehumidifier from Polygon. Working with Polygon takes the guesswork out of trying to find the right type of dehumidifier as our specialists create custom solutions designed for your space and requirements. Contact Polygon today to learn more about our commercial dehumidifier rentals.

[Photo from RL Smith Amateur Photography via CC License 2.0]