Are Commercial Dehumidifiers Safe?

Safety is one of the top concerns for businesses investing in commercial dehumidifiers. These concerns are valid because the dehumidifiers typically run 24/7 in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and other commercial spaces.

So, are commercial dehumidifiers safe? The short answer is yes! With proper maintenance and certification, you can expect maximum safety from these machines.

However, like any other electrical equipment, you should know about the different aspects of dehumidifier safety to handle any potential hazard and maximize safety.

Importance of Commercial Dehumidifiers

High humidity is known to cause significant damage to the building and inventory. It causes mold growth and adversely affects the well-being of people in the building.

Commercial dehumidifiers reduce moisture and prevent such problems. This is why many warehouses, data centers, museums, medical facilities, and other types of commercial spaces use dehumidifiers. It results in better product shelf life, fewer mold remediation jobs, and improved indoor air quality.

Overview of the Safety Standards of Commercial Dehumidifiers

The majority of the modern commercial dehumidifiers have to go through rigorous safety certifications before being sold in the United States. The two most popular safety certifications are:

1. Underwriters Laboratories

UL certification demonstrates that products are rigorously tested to meet specific safety standards. The evaluations in this certification involve testing the performance, construction, and materials of the units.

Moreover, UL certification is vital to assess electrical safety, fire resistance, mechanical strength, and all other essential components.

2. ETL Certification

ETL certification by Intertek is another comprehensive certification to ensure commercial dehumidifiers meet the national safety standards. It offers businesses the confidence that dehumidifiers are independently tested by the experts and verified as safe for long-term commercial usage.

The key thing is that you always buy high-quality commercial dehumidifiers from certified and reputable brands like Argendon. This will ensure your equipment not only meets the regulatory requirements but also gives you the peace of mind that it is designed with safety as a priority.

Addressing the Common Commercial Dehumidifier Safety Concerns

Let’s discuss some of the common safety concerns associated with commercial dehumidifiers:

Fire Hazards

Fire risk is the most common concern businesses have about using commercial dehumidifiers regularly. Electrical faults, improper maintenance, and wrong wiring can result in turning your dehumidifiers into fire hazards.

It is important that you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and use professional services to regularly inspect and maintain these units. The good thing is that modern commercial humidifiers are equipped with fail-safe switches to shut down the device in case of overheating.

Some other key steps that you can take to minimize fire risks are:

• Don’t place the dehumidifiers near combustible materials
• Ensure proper ventilation around the unit
• Avoid overloading electrical circuits with heavy machinery
• Don’t place any wet items, such as clothes, on top of dehumidifiers
• Keep the air vents clean and free from obstructions

Electrical Safety

A significant amount of power is used by commercial dehumidifiers. So, you should get the dehumidifiers installed by experts who can use the right electrical connections with suitable circuit breakers and grounding. Moreover, you should always plug the units into outlets directly. Avoid using extension cords with high-capacity commercial equipment.

Chemical Refrigerant Concerns

There are certain types of commercial dehumidifiers that use refrigerants to remove moisture. If your model is old, poorly maintained, or of low quality, the chemicals can leak and pose health hazards.

So, it is recommended that you use modern commercial dehumidifier packages that follow the best refrigerant standards and also have leak detection systems with proper sensors and safety mechanisms.

Indoor Air Quality

Commercial dehumidifiers can significantly improve indoor air quality by controlling humidity levels. EPA also suggested keeping the indoor humidity levels between 30-50% to reduce mold growth and enhance air quality.

However, if you ignore the maintenance of commercial dehumidifiers, especially cleaning filters, it can have an opposite impact and compromise air quality. Dirty and clogged filters can significantly reduce the efficiency of your commercial dehumidifier and result in the circulation of contaminated air.

Bacteria Growth

Many businesses also have the concern that mold and bacteria can grow inside the dehumidifiers because they are dealing with water continuously. This is a valid concern. But the manufacturers of modern dehumidifiers have already taken steps to address it. These units come with antimicrobial coatings to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. Moreover, regular maintenance should include cleaning the water collection tank and changing air filters to further reduce the chances of bacterial growth.

Noise

No business wants a dehumidifier that results in a noisy environment. So, the high-quality and well-maintained commercial dehumidifiers are designed in a way that they operate quietly. The advanced fan and compressor technology further reduces the noise.

Benefits Over Safety Hazards

It is important to emphasize that the benefits of commercial dehumidifiers far outweigh the risks associated with them. When used, installed, and maintained correctly, commercial dehumidifiers provide benefits like:

• Protecting the inventory from moisture damage
• Preventing expensive mold remediation
• Improving employee comfort and productivity
• Maintaining optimal conditions

Overall, industries like healthcare, electronics manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals are some of the many sectors that heavily rely on commercial dehumidifiers. These sectors also have strict safety and quality standards, so the entire commercial dehumidifier working cycle follows the highest safety protocols.

Safety Checklist for Businesses

If you are in the process of buying a commercial dehumidifier, you should use this checklist to minimize safety risks:

• Buy Authentic Equipment: Always buy certified and commercial-grade equipment. Commercial units are specifically designed for continuous operation, so you should buy equipment that is suitable for your specific requirements.
• Verification: Before buying and installing a commercial dehumidifier, you should search its model on the internet to see if there have been any recalls or notices from the manufacturer.
• Evaluate Your Requirements: Ensure the capacity of your dehumidifier matches the space in which the unit is being installed. An undersized unit will wear out by running at excess power, while an oversized unit can short-cycle.
• Electrical Installation: Plan for proper electrical installation by using the right type of breakers, wiring gauge, and dedicated circuits.
• Use the Right Location: Place the dehumidifiers in suitable and safe locations. For instance, crawl space dehumidifiers should be in areas where there is no tripping hazard or any risk of being knocked over.
• Proper Maintenance: Schedule maintenance, such as coil cleaning, filter changes, and leak checks, in advance.
• Staff Training: Train the staff to deal with common processes like shutting off power, identifying unusual noises, and dealing with overheating.

Common Warning Signs

When it comes to ensuring the safety of your commercial dehumidifiers, you should never ignore these red flags:

• Unusual burning smell or overheating
• Strange noises like grining from the unit
• Lesser performance or frequent cycling
• Visible damage to the dehumidifier’s wiring and cords

If you notice any of these signs, you should immediately turn off the dehumidifier and contact a qualified repair technician.

Summary: Are Commercial Dehumidifiers Safe?

Let’s sum it all up.

Yes, commercial dehumidifiers are definitely safe when you:

• Buy certified units from reputable companies
• Install the unit as per the manufacturer's specifications
• Comply with the local electrical and plumbing rules and regulations
• Follow the recommended preventive maintenance standards
• Replace or repair the unit after excessive wear and tear.

Most of the safety incidents related to commercial dehumidifiers have been connected to specific product issues or poor maintenance. The working of the dehumidification itself is safe.