With a robust array of design options, designers are often tasked with the challenge of deciding which dehumidification methods best suit their projects’ needs.
Moist air in buildings makes a thriving environment for common allergy triggers, such as dust mites, mold, and mildew, as well as common bacteria and other pathogens. High humidity can also have negative impacts on the longevity of building materials. Therefore, it’s important to have a means to dehumidify building air and maintain adequate relative humidity levels within a building. Over the decades, the most basic methods of humidity control have greatly evolved, and with the advancement of modern technology, even more have been discovered. With a robust array of design options, i.e., enthalpy wheels, desiccant wheels, etc., combined with energy costs and the rising concern for climate change motivating energy efficiency, designers are often tasked with the challenge of deciding which dehumidification methods best suit their projects’ needs.
Figure 1 shows a typical design of an office-type building. An air-handling unit (AHU) conditions the air before sending it to local variable air volume (VAV) terminal units. These terminal units are typically provided with a reheat coil, which, in general, serves two purposes: prevent the spaces from being overcooled and serve as the main source of heating for the space.