Quick answer: Before an industrial dehumidifier arrives, have five things ready: a sealed space (doors, gaps and ventilation under control), a mounting position with clearances that lets air flow through the whole space and allows service, a drain with fall to a floor drain or a condensate pump, a power supply of the right voltage, phase and protection, and a control plan (sensor location, BMS signals). Then commission it with real trend data, not just a switch-on test.
Quick answer
- Seal the space and confirm the load before installation.
- Position for airflow across the space, with service clearance.
- Drain, power and controls ready before delivery.
1. Confirm the space
- The space is closed: doors, windows, dock seals, ventilation set as designed.
- The moisture load matches the selection (no new leaks, processes or wet goods).
- Cold surfaces (walls, pipes, floor) noted for condensation checks.
2. Mounting and clearances
| Format | Check |
|---|---|
| Floor-standing | Level, firm floor; clearance around inlet and outlet; protection from forklifts |
| Ceiling-mounted | Structure rated for the weight; vibration isolators; access panels reachable |
| Ducted | Duct sizes and route agreed; total pressure loss within the unit's external static pressure; see ducted dehumidifier design |
| Desiccant | Reactivation exhaust duct to outdoors; intake away from exhaust |
| Outdoor or plant room | Weather protection; ducts into the space |
Related: ducted dehumidifier design.
Follow the manufacturer's installation manual for clearances and weight.
3. Airflow path
- Dry air reaches the whole space: discharge along aisles or rows, return from the humid side.
- No short circuit from outlet straight back to inlet.
- Long spaces (greenhouses, warehouses): several units or ducts/air tubes along the length.
4. Drainage
- Gravity drain with continuous fall and a trap where needed, or a condensate pump with an overflow alarm.
- Drain sized for the peak water flow (hundreds of litres a day on large units).
- Frost protection for drains in cold spaces.
- See condensate pump and drainage planning.
5. Power and safety
- Supply voltage, phase and frequency match the nameplate.
- Correct circuit protection and isolator near the unit.
- Earthing and, where required, residual-current protection.
- For R290 units, follow the installation rules for flammable refrigerants in the manual (room size, ventilation, no ignition sources nearby).
6. Controls
- Sensor location agreed: in the controlled zone, away from discharge air.
- Signals to BMS defined (enable, run, fault, drain alarm); see BMS integration.
- Interlocks with HVAC or ventilation agreed.
7. Service access
- Filters, coils, drain pans and electrical panels reachable without dismantling other equipment.
- Space to remove the unit for repair.
- Safe working at height for ceiling units.
Commissioning checklist
- Visual and electrical checks; rotation of fans.
- Start-up per the manual; check current draw.
- Measure airflow (or check duct pressures).
- Confirm drainage under full load.
- Test controls, sensors and alarms.
- Trend zone humidity, temperature and unit status for at least a week, including humid days.
- Record baseline: L/day collected, kWh, settings.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where should an industrial dehumidifier be installed?
Where it draws humid air from the space and sends dry air across it, with clearance for airflow and service, near drainage and power.
Does an industrial dehumidifier need a drain?
Refrigerant units need a drain or pump; desiccant units exhaust water as vapour through the reactivation duct.
What should be checked at commissioning?
Power, airflow, drainage, controls, alarms, and a week of humidity trends.
Sources
- Manufacturer installation manuals; IEC 60335-2-40 (installation requirements for flammable refrigerants).
- ASHRAE Handbook—HVAC Systems and Equipment.
