Maintaining the right level of humidity is essential for a comfortable and healthy lifestyle. High humidity levels can cause many issues like wood rot, mold growth, and poor air quality, especially in closed spaces like basements, crawl spaces, and garages. While traditional dehumidifiers work well for regular environments, these places need special treatments. You need a specialized ducted dehumidifier for such environments where controlling humidity is a challenge.
In this article, we will cover everything from regulating moisture levels and stopping mold growth to what ducted dehumidifiers are, and why they are useful. We will highlight their benefits, and explain why they might be the right choice for businesses and homes. We will also highlight products like the best dehumidifiers for the basement, and dehumidifiers with pumps and ventilation fans to help you make the right choice.
What is a Ducted Dehumidifier?
A ducted dehumidifier is a systematic device that removes moisture from the air within a building or specific area. Unlike portable dehumidifiers, it connects directly to an existing HVAC system for unified humidity management that is both discreet and efficient. It draws in air through the return duct, removes moisture, and then circulates dry air back into the room, ensuring that the space remains dry and comfortable continuously.
How Ducted Dehumidifiers Work?
The ducted dehumidifiers work in a very interesting way, which is a bit different than how portable devices operate. They pull in air through special vents, pass that air through cold coils, and remove the moisture. This dehumidified air is passed through special ducts and distributed regularly in the space (whether it is commercial or residential).
The best part about installing ducted dehumidifiers is that some of them come with installed humidistats. You don’t have to worry about installing some separate device. You can select the desired humidity levels and the ducted dehumidifier will do the rest.
Some of the systems also come installed with dehumidifiers with pumps that handle the removal of water from the air, making the system more efficient and smooth.
Typically, ducted humidifiers are more expensive and high maintenance compared to regular dehumidifiers. They are installed in special areas like basements or crawl spaces. However, they are generally used for commercial or industrial settings. While they are recommended for large-scale settings, the ducted dehumidifiers can be easily customized and adapted to fit any work setting, even that of your bedroom or basement area.
Why Do You Need a Ducted Dehumidifier?
You must have heard of regular dehumidifiers which regulate moisture in the air, and remove water. Excessive humidity is responsible for many issues including mold growth, and the shortened lifespan of electronics that are stored in such areas.
Regular dehumidifiers are generally portable devices that can be purchased and placed anywhere. While this portability is advantageous, you need a more powerful solution in a few cases. That is where ducted dehumidifiers come in. Unlike portable devices, ducted humidifiers are actually installed, and integrated with HVAC systems. They regulate distributed dehumidified air through ductwork to multiple rooms.
A ducted dehumidifier is necessary for environments where excess moisture can cause significant problems such as mold growth, wood rot, and damage to sensitive electronics. It is especially useful in larger spaces or poorly ventilated areas like basements, crawl spaces, or industrial settings where traditional portable dehumidifiers may not be sufficient. By integrating with your HVAC system, a ducted dehumidifier helps regulate moisture levels across multiple rooms or larger spaces, ensuring a healthier environment and prolonging the lifespan of your property and equipment.
These systems are ideal for use in basements, crawl spaces, attics, and even entire houses. Apart from residential settings, they also find great usage in large commercial and industrial spaces. By removing the excess humidity, they prevent mildew, mold, and structural damage due to moisture. Generally, the idea is to manage and regulate the moisture levels across large settings. Therefore, ducted dehumidifiers also find applicable usage in large machinery rooms like specialized servers or control units for IT/Telecom.
Ideal Locations for Installing a Ducted Dehumidifier
While there are a lot of options for the installation of a dehumidifier, there are a few locations where these ducted dehumidifiers perform the best. Usually, if you are storing machinery or sensitive equipment in an enclosed, poorly ventilated, and humid area, you will want to install the ducted dehumidifiers there. That being said, there are a few places where installation of these devices becomes natural.
Basement
A basement doesn’t just refer to residential areas. Basements can also refer to the underground areas where machinery or important equipment is stored. Basements are more prone to humidity buildup and therefore, have a higher chance of mold growth. The ventilation system for the basements is also quite tricky to maintain. Luckily, by searching for the best dehumidifiers for the basement, you can effectively make them a safe space for any kind of storage. Obviously, if your basements are big, ducted dehumidifiers are the best way to go.
Crawl Spaces
Installing ducted dehumidifiers in crawl space might seem like a far stretch. However, the crawl spaces are more prone to mold buildup and can accumulate moisture, leading to condensation. In such scenarios, you need to make sure that you are installing the right dehumidifiers. In some cases, crawl spaces are properly developed areas that harbor sensitive wiring. Especially for an organization or a big-scale company, the crawl spaces need special moisture regulation which only the ducted dehumidifiers can provide. Therefore, these are the ideal locations for such installations.
Garages
Garages might not be on your consideration list but these locations are susceptible to mold growth just like basements and crawl spaces. You are more likely to store your important goods and equipment in a garage. If much of your luggage is lying in there, it’s time to install a ducted dehumidifier. You don’t need to spend much, save for a customized unit to best fit your needs. By dehumidifying a garage, you are increasing the chances of your equipment’s safety from mildew, and condensation.
How to Keep Your Ducted Dehumidifiers Operating at Peak Efficiency?
Ducted dehumidifiers are machinery, and like all electronics, they require maintenance. There are a few tips that ensure that your dehumidifiers are running at peak efficiency, and doing their function as best as possible.
Clean the filters and replace them if the need arises. The filters in dehumidifiers can easily become clogged with dust and debris. The more enclosed, poorly ventilated, and humid the environment is, the more frequently you will need to clean the filters of ducted dehumidifiers.
If you installed dehumidifiers with pumps, check their pumps and drainage systems. Make sure the pipe isn’t clogged as it can lead to water blockage, which will reduce the effectiveness of the dehumidifiers.
You need to monitor the humidity levels as effectively as possible. Adjust the settings as per the humidity levels.
FAQs
How Does A Ducted Dehumidifier Differ From A Portable One?
While portable dehumidifiers are standalone units, ducted dehumidifiers integrate with HVAC systems, providing dehumidified air through ducts to multiple rooms. They are ideal for larger spaces or areas requiring consistent humidity control.
Can A Ducted Dehumidifier Help With Mold Prevention?
Yes, ducted dehumidifiers regulate moisture levels across larger areas, effectively preventing mold growth, especially in high-humidity environments like basements or crawl spaces.
What Maintenance Does A Ducted Dehumidifier Require?
Regular maintenance includes cleaning or replacing filters, checking for clogs in the drainage system, and adjusting the humidistat to ensure optimal humidity control.
Are Ducted Dehumidifiers Suitable For Industrial Use?
Absolutely. Ducted dehumidifiers are ideal for large industrial or commercial spaces where moisture can damage sensitive equipment or cause operational downtimes.
Where Should I Install a Ducted Dehumidifier?
Ideal locations include basements, crawl spaces, garages, and any large, enclosed areas prone to moisture buildup.
Final Thoughts
Ducted dehumidifiers offer a powerful, efficient solution for controlling moisture across multiple rooms or large spaces. Whether you're dealing with humidity in a basement, crawl space, or even a garage, installing a ducted dehumidifier can help protect your home from moisture-related damage. With features like pumps and humidistats, these systems provide comprehensive, automatic moisture control, ensuring a healthier and more comfortable living environment.
