Full line of steam injection, electric, heat exchanger, and gas fired humidifiers.
Properly controlled humidification enhances occupant health and comfort,
improves manufacturing processes, and helps preserve building materials
and furnishings. In short, any building housing people or things will benefit
from proper humidification, and the cost to add humidification is easily
offset by gains in processes, productivity, life of materials, and occupant
satisfaction.
HUMIDIFICATION IMPROVES INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Bacteria and viruses thrive in dry air. This is why that scratchy sore throat
you wake with when staying in a too-dry room lasts for days. Studies have
shown that when room relative humidity (RH) drops below 40 percent,
absenteeism increases due to respiratory illness. Proper humidification can
reduce absenteeism as much as 18 percent. Humidified spaces feel warmer
and are more comfortable for occupants, especially in cold climates where
heating systems run frequently.
Of course, controlling RH is important. Keeping RH levels within a range
of 40 to 60 percent not only decreases bacteria and viruses in the air, but
hinders the development of fungi, mites, chemical interactions, and ozone
production. The result is reduced occurrences of allergic rhinitis, respiratory
infections, and asthma among building occupants. To ensure that RH levels
do not rise above 60 percent, responsive humidification system control is
essential.
HUMIDIFICATION IMPROVES MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
Relative humidity levels affect manufacturing production rates, and product
size, weight, strength, appearance, and quality. If you’ve ever known your
laser printer to jam on a humid summer day, then you can understand how
changes in texture, strength, or weight can affect the high-speed processing
of hygroscopic materials.
OPTIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITY RANGE FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
Static electricity can negatively affect processes. Static electricity can cause
high concentrations of oxygen and other gases to ignite. These gases are
prevalent in hospitals and laboratories. Dust particles adhere to objects
when charged by static electricity. This can be a critical problem with
semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and other electronic processing, where
one misplaced dust particle can ruin a chip, a batch, or an assembled
component. Maintaining RH levels within a range of 30 to 60 percent will
significantly reduce problems associated with static electricity.
HUMIDIFICATION PRESERVES MATERIALS AND FURNISHINGS
Many building materials, finishes, and furnishings are hygroscopic —
they absorb, retain, and release moisture. Low RH levels cause expensive
damage to building interiors because as hygroscopic materials dry, they
shrink. This can create gaps in wallpaper seams, floor boards, and furniture
joints, and also can damage historic and artistic artifacts. Fluctuating RH
levels also cause damage. Maintain a consistent RH level to keep the
moisture content of hygroscopic materials in equilibrium (EMC) with their
surrounding environments.
HUMIDIFICATION IMPROVES COMFORT FOR BUILDING OCCUPANTS
Also hygroscopic in nature, the human body gives up its moisture to dry
air. As our body’s moisture migrates (evaporates) to areas of low RH, we
become cooled, just as when we perspire. Raising the RH level in a room
slows the evaporation rate and will make the room feel warmer. This allows
dropping the dry-bulb temperature without a loss in comfort, offsetting
humidification energy costs.
Adding humidity to a building preserves materials, improves processes,
and enhances health and comfort, while paying for itself with increased
productivity and lower heating costs.