Grow rooms are portable tents of any size with reflective inner walls that provide a favorable environment to grow plants in a controlled setting. Appropriate climatic conditions are essential for a successful harvest. However, maintaining the right temperature and humidity level in the grow rooms is a challenging task.
Relative humidity (RH) is the amount of moisture in the air. It reflects the ratio between the actual amount of vapor in the atmosphere and the amount it can absorb at the same temperature and pressure. Humidity can be a blessing and a curse. While plants need a high amount of moisture in the growth stages, they require less in the later stages. If there is less humidity than the plants would not get the necessary amount of moisture. If the air is too humid, it will facilitate the growth of mold on plants.
If the plants are grown in the grow room without maintaining the humidity, it may increase moisture, making the air stale and causing the plants to have powdery mildew or bud rot. Once molds start to pest in the grow room, it can severely damage the plants’ growth and yield. Hence keeping tight control over the grow area’s RH is critical, and a dehumidifier becomes an essential part of the process.
Dehumidifiers for mold prevention
How Grow Room Dehumidifier Works
A dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air making it less hospitable for microbes. The amount of water used to irrigate the plants is released back into the atmosphere as vapor. If the amount of plants is higher, a larger amount of moisture needs to be removed from the atmosphere. This can be achieved by using active dehumidification.
The capacity of the dehumidifier is measured in the amount of water that it can remove from the environment in 24 hours. It is ideal for checking the temperature and RH at which the dehumidifier can remove such moisture.
A dehumidifier controls the grow area’s humidity level to ensure that it does not contain too much moisture to avoid moisture-related issues such as root tot and mold. The moisture pulled from the air gets stored in a pan or a container. Some humidifiers do not need containers. Some indoor growers even reuse the collected water. Having enough humidity levels in your grow area is required since this will keep your plants healthy.
Evaluating Grow Room’s Dehumidification Requirement
The grow room size is essential to determine the number of dehumidifiers needed and their placement in the grow room.
Consider how many plants you plan to grow. That will provide the amount of water required per day, that can help to estimate the moisture and humidity level for the grow room. Apart from determining the amount of moisture for the grow, another thing to consider is temperature management. It is ideal for temperature management to keep the room at around 70-80°F, which is suitable for growing most plants, including vegetables and fruit-bearing.
Lastly, the humidity will also be dependent on the growing area. For a grow room with regular human heat, it is ideal for adding at least five more points and another five pints, if the room has multiple entry and exit points. If the place is situated in an isolated or cold area with less frequent visits, an additional allowance is not required.
How to Choose the Right Sized Dehumidifier
Water in water out is the most straightforward way to go about calculating the size of the dehumidifier. However, some factors need to be considered.
The amount of water given to plants every day and the number of plants in the grow room?
If the grow room has 20 plants and you are watering with 1 gallon per plant per day, the grow room will require 20 gallons of water per day. Dehumidifiers are rated in pints, hence multiplying the number of gallons per day by 8 to convert to pints.
For the above requirement, it will be 160 pints of moisture to remove. When spread in a day, your grow room will need around 6.7 pints of water an hour. A pint is equivalent to a pound of moisture, so a room with 20 plants needs 6.7 pounds of moisture per hour. Dehumidifiers are generally available with capacity ranging from 30 up to 300 pints per day.
Sizing Your Dehumidifier for Hydro Systems
If you are using a hydroponic system, consider the hydro system’s water capacity and any reservoirs that do not have a lid. The only difference is that you need to divide the figure you get by 7 (days in a week), as the plants would not consume all the water in the reservoir in a day.
Most gardening experts recommend 0.623 gallons of water per square foot per week. While this varies depending on the type of plants grown, it is a useful benchmark. Start by figuring out how much growing space you have and remember that you may have more than you think.
Remember that some plants wind up giving back almost all the water you feed them, while others tend to hold onto much of the water you give them. It is also essential to keep in mind the type of plants grown and how much water they need.
Ideally, extraction capacity equal to the water introduced into the system is enough. But in terms of dehumidifier’s ability is concerned, it is beneficial to exceed the requirement slightly. There is a trade-off, of course. If you purchase a very high capacity dehumidifier, you’re paying a premium for capacity you’ll never use.
On the other hand, if the dehumidifier is below the required capacity, it will need to work continuously and struggle to keep pace with the water introduced in the system, which will not be efficient. Furthermore, with the machine running always, additional heat is added to space, causing the temperature to grow out of the desired range.
How we selected our top picks – Our selection criteria
A high-quality dehumidifier ensures optimal humidity levels; however, a wide assortment of dehumidifiers are available of various sizes and capabilities, making selecting the correct model a bit difficult. To simplify the dehumidifier selection process, we have focused on vital parameters that, when appropriately used, purchase these complicated yet critical products to maintain the ideal facility environment almost stress-free.
Moisture Removal Rate – Dehumidifiers are sized on the number of pints they can remove in a day, denoted as pints per day (PP). Greater the dehumidifier PPD rate, the larger the facility and number of crops housed.
Dehumidifier efficiency – A dehumidifier releases energy to remove moisture from the air in the form of heat. Top-of-the-line dehumidifiers can use the power provided more efficiently, reducing the cost of running overtime.
Warranty- This ensures that the dehumidifier or any part of it is replaced if it becomes faulty at no extra charge, assuming no fault on their part. This helps eliminate any stress you have about your investment and provides reliability.
Reliability of the brand offering the product in question
We have also considered other factors: Energy Star Rating, Coverage, Water reservoir capacity, Drainage mode, noise levels, compactness, ease of use, and advanced features such as auto shut off, auto defrost, and auto restart.
Each of these factors is important, and when taken together, provides an excellent composite view of the capability of each model and helps us choose the best model for our requirement.
Things to Consider When Purchasing a Grow Dehumidifier
There are certain factors to consider before buying a grow tent dehumidifier. Since humidity and temperatures coincide, it is ideal to go for a dehumidifier that can efficiently function in different temperature ranges.
Large or Wet Spaces: The level of dampness in the grow room is directly proportional to the dehumidifier’s size.
Insulation: A dehumidifier will not work effectively if the grow room is not well insulated and moisture seeps in. Also, note if there any gutter nearby.
Additional Equipment: If the grow room has an A/C unit, it will remove some moisture. Check the a/c to see the number of pints it will remove per day, and subtract it from the daily dehumidification requirement. If using CO2 in the grow room, it will increase the humidity levels. Also, if the grow room has an exhaust fan, the effectiveness of the dehumidifier will decrease. Consider these factors while sizing the dehumidifier.
Handling Extracted Water: Dehumidifiers are equipped with a reservoir or some means of trapping and storing the extracted water. However, the extracted water needs to be frequently emptied from the tank to keep the extraction going.
Drain: Many advanced-level dehumidifiers are equipped with a gravity drain system, where apart from having a water collection reservoir, they also have a drain port. Put a hose in the drain port and let gravity route the water through the tube and out of place. There are some limitations to this approach. Gravity drains are a little fickle as the hose needs to point “downhill.” The drain system cannot be placed in up, back down, or winding around in circuitous paths, hence the dehumidifier needs to be set high (on a shelf, or hanged) and let the water flow down.
Pump: Many expensive dehumidifiers are equipped with a built-in pump that will route the water out of the area, which provides more convenience and flexibility. If the growing area is small and the extracting requirement is only a few pints of water per day, there’s not much incentive to use this option.
Reusing Extracted Water: If you want to reuse the extracted water, consider a few precautions. Cheaper dehumidifiers tend to leach out copper and aluminum and may have mold growth inside the system. Investing in a premium unit and regularly inspecting and cleaning the dehumidifier may solve this issue. If you extract a ton of water and want to reuse it, that’s what it takes to make sure you’re not poisoning your plants!
Features to Consider in Dehumidifier
Auto-restart/ shut down – This is a useful feature that switches on the unit after a power outage. Furthermore, it also enables shutting the device when it is not in use.
Hose connection – This function lets us connect a hose to the dehumidifier to divert condensed air to the floor drain. This way, you don’t have to empty a bucket. If you have a grow room in the basement with a floor drain, then a dehumidifier with pump can direct water out through a slop sink or drain.
Timer – A timer lets you program the unit to turn on and off when it’s not in use, a critical energy-saving function.
Frost control sensor – all the high-end dehumidifiers come with a sensor that turns the unit if frost develops on the coils.
Air filter – Air filters remove musty odors, dust, bacterial microbes, and molds from the air. Some dehumidifiers are equipped with a washable filter that can be detached and cleaned. If not washed frequently, plants can be susceptible to mold growth. Moreover, clogged air filters make dehumidifiers noisy. The air filter in the dehumidifier gets dirty with time and requires replacement.
Ergonomic Handles – dehumidifier should come with ergonomic handles, making it easier to empty when full.
Silent operation – The ideal noise level should average at 60db per day, for convenient operation results. The dehumidifier that silently does its work and is not annoying for you and your guests when it is working.
Efficiency – Energy Star certified dehumidifier can reduce energy consumption by at least 30%.
Mobility – A dehumidifier with caster rolling wheels and handles can be easily moved from room to room.
Our Pick – The Best Dehumidifiers For Your Grow Rooms
1. Pro Breeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier
Pro Breeze is a well-known name in the industry, and you can trust that their product is going to give nothing less than excellent when it comes to output. We’re going to be looking at one of their best products, which you can choose to dehumidify your grow room.
Let’s have a closer look at the product!
Detailed Insights
Compact Design
The dehumidifier is well- made, and is a compact product. It is also lightweight and easy to carry. It is easier to place, and if you want, you can move it to another location with ease. Along with its use in your grow room, you can also use it in your bedroom, office, baby’s nursery, and more.
The device features a large 52 Ounces water tank and can extract up to 18 ounces of water per day.
Ease of Control
The unit is easy to install, and the controls are not hard to figure out as either. It comes equipped with LED Indicators and other features that make it comfortable for the users. There are no complicated steps to follow, and you can comfortably get started with the product.
Silent Operation
The unit features Ultra-Quiet Peltier Technology (Thermo-electric cooling), which makes its operation silent up to a considerable degree. You can enjoy a good chat, your favorite tv show, or a good night’s sleep, all while it is working.
Efficient
It is an energy-efficient unit and helps you save a lot on the operational cost. It is a smarter option since your grow room will require around the clock service, which can take your bill quite high. It is an ideal unit to be used for temperatures above 59 degrees Fahrenheit.
Easy to maintain
The unit is compact, and it does not take a lot of time or effort to keep it in good shape. It features a 52-ounce water tank, which is quite easy to empty, as well as clean, just like the rest of the unit.
Auto Shut- off
When the unit fills up, a LED indicator goes on, indicating that you need to empty the tank. At this point, the unit automatically shuts off. You can drain the tank to resume operation.
Specifications
- The product weighs 5.09 Pounds.
- Its overall dimensions are 6.6 x 9 x 12.69 inches.
- It is an ideal solution for areas up to 250 Square feet.
- The tank can hold up to 52 Ounces of moisture.
- It can remove up to 18 Ounces of moisture every day.
Why buy this product?
The unit is compact and can ideally dehumidify grow rooms up to 250 Square feet. It is easily portable and lightweight and can remove up to 18 ounces of moisture per day. It works quietly and is easy to operate. The unit features an LED full tank Indicator, and the auto shut off feature. It is an energy-efficient option, and if your grow room fits the specifications, you should give this one some serious consideration.
2. Eva-dry Edv-1100 Electric Petite Dehumidifier
Eva- dry is also a name that frequently comes up when it comes to dehumidifiers. The company is dedicated to bringing its users the best in the Industry. By choosing this model from Eva- dry, you can ensure your grow room stays well- humidified, without going into the chaos of mold and mildew, and further detriment.
Let’s find out more about the product.
Detailed Insights
Portable Design
One of the most compact dehumidifiers available in the market, this model is easily portable, and you can place it to cover your whole grow room suitably. You can move it around as you wish, and since it has high-quality materials, it is a durable product as well.
Easy to set up
The unit couldn’t be any easier to set up and operate. Plug it in and get started. No need to call an expert, or get out your tools; only make sure the sockets are in good condition. There are no complicated controls to maneuver either, and everything is pretty straight forward.
Less Noise output
It is a considerably quiet model, and you don’t have to worry about it interfering with your daily routine if you decide to use it anywhere other than your grow room (for eg., your bedroom, office, baby’s room, etc.). Generally speaking, an average noise output for a thermoelectric dehumidifier in this range is 53.2 dB, and this model produces 50.9 dB. You can work, talk, sleep, without worrying about the noise.
Efficient
It is a smart investment and saves you a lot on energy charges. The product has a manufacturer specified power draw of 22 watts. It is an energy saver and gets the job done quickly and efficiently.
Auto shut off
When the unit’s condensate collection bucket fills up, FULL LED lights up to let you know that you need to empty the bucket. Along with that, the unit automatically shuts off when the bucket is full.
Specifications
- The product weighs 1 Pound.
- Its overall dimensions are 6.5 x 8.5 x 5.3 inches.
- It is an ideal option for areas up to 1100 Cubic feet.
- The product has a capacity of 16 Ounces.
Why buy this product?
It is a compact, lightweight, and easily portable unit. With 16 ounces of capacity, the unit can humidify up to 1100 cubic feet of area. Very simple to use, it is also equally easy to maintain. It is a durable product, and its efficient operation is a money saver. Its renewable reservoir absorbs musty odors from stagnant air and also eliminates odors and fungus.
3.) Inofia 30 Pints Dehumidifier
This Inofia product is perfect for small to medium-sized grow rooms and gives the users a satisfactory performance. It is a well- made product, which is ideal for your grow room and provides a powerful performance. It is a durable product, and there are plenty of reasons why this product is on the list and why you should consider it for your grow room.
Let’s look at the product closely!
Detailed Insights
Modern Design
The product has a sophisticated design, and it provides users with the best performance. It is lightweight, and you can move it around the home with ease. The unit can remove up to 30 Pints of moisture every day, and it can cover up to 1056 Square feet with ease.
Easy to use
The unit is quite easy to set up and use. You plug it in, turn on the switch, and voila! It starts right away.
The dehumidifier has an inbuilt humidistat, and whenever the device reaches ideal humidity, it stops automatically. Similarly, when the humidity levels start to increase again, it starts automatically as well.
Silent Operation
The unit works without making much noise, and it does not cause any disturbances throughout the day or night. You can work, talk, sleep, meditate, or do anything at all, without hearing the sound of the dehumidifier.
Auto-restart & Auto- defrost
The dehumidifier has smart features such as auto restart and auto defrost. Whenever there’s a power outage, the unit restarts automatically when the power comes back on. You don’t have to be physically present to ensure your grow room’s humidity control system is working.
Along with auto- restart, this dehumidifier also has the Auto- defrost feature. With auto-defrost, the dehumidifier can operate in low temperatures without you having to worry about unit damage. It is very low Maintenance, and you can use it in cold environments, at 41°F.
Ease of Maintenance
The unit is quite easy to maintain. You don’t have to invest a lot of effort or time in making sure the dehumidifier is in excellent shape. Firstly, the smart design of this unit ensures optimal performance. Auto- defrost feature ensures low- temperature operation without any damage. It features a filter that saves users from dust and other impurities. It is easy to clean, and you can enjoy clean, fresh air thanks to its action.
The device also has an auto- error detection feature, which lets you know when the device needs to be taken care of for smoother working.
Auto- shut off
The unit features a four-pint water tank, and when it’s full, an audible alarm goes off, along with the bucket full indicator. The unit automatically shuts off when the bucket is up to the brim, and you can resume operation after emptying the tank.
Gravity Draining
The unit also features the gravity draining option, which eliminates the need for emptying the water tank repeatedly. You can use the included 5.65 feet hose to the nearest drain, to enjoy continuous draining.
Specifications
- The product weighs 24.9 Pounds.
- Its overall dimensions are 12.2 x 8.2 x 17.3 inches.
- It is an ideal option for areas up to 1056 Square feet.
- The tank can hold up to 4 Pints of moisture.
- It can remove up to 30 Pints of moisture every day.
Why buy this product?
It is a compact unit that comes with a lot of smart features. It is easily portable and can remove up to thirty pints of moisture every day. With the auto-restart and auto- defrost, the operation becomes a lot more convenient and safer. It is not noisy either, and features gravity draining for user- comfort.
4.) TOSOT 1,500 Sq Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier
Tosot has an excellent range of dehumidifiers that you can consider for your grow room. We’re going to be looking at this model from the company, and if you think it will go great with your grow room, you can get it and forget your excess humidity troubles.
Let’s find out more about this product!
Detailed Insights
Smart Design
Tosot dehumidifiers have an excellent design in and out, and this model gives users a smooth and powerful performance thanks to that. With plenty of smart features, the dehumidifier has a durable body and looks good as well. It has a one Gallon tank and can remove up to 30 Pint of moisture per day. It is an ideal solution for areas up to 1,500 Square feet.
Silent Functioning
It produces considerably low noise and is one of the quietest dehumidifiers in this range. You can work, talk, sleep, and do anything with the low-level noise coming from the device. As long as you’re in the grow room, you’ll be able to give all your attention to the plants, and won’t be distracted by its operation.
Ease of Operation
The unit is easy to operate and does not require a lot of know-how. Not only that, but it also comes with smart controls, which make it a lot more convenient for users as compared to a lot of other models.
You can set your desired humidity level, and the unit will operate until it has achieved set levels. You can also opt for continuous operation, regardless of the humidity levels.
Energy Star Rated
It is an energy star rated product, so you know it is an efficient option. You can be sure that it’ll achieve the right levels of humidity, without spending a lot of energy.
Continuous Draining
You can also opt for the consistent draining option if you don’t want to empty the bucket again and again. You can do this easily by setting up a 3/4 inch dehumidifier drain hose (not included) to your dehumidifier and placing the device near a suitable drain.
Auto Shut- off
When the water bucket is full, the unit automatically shuts off to avoid overflow. You can empty the bucket to resume operation at any time, or use the drain hose for constant draining.
Specifications
- The product Weighs 33.9 Pounds.
- Its overall dimensions are 15 x 11.7 x 20.7 inches.
- It is an ideal solution for areas up to 1500 Square feet.
- The tank can hold up to 1 Gallon of moisture.
- It can remove up to 30 Pints per day.
Why buy this product?
It is a well-designed dehumidifier capable of dehumidifying areas up to 1500 Square feet. It works quietly and efficiently to keep the room humidity at the right level. Whenever the bucket is full, or when it acquires the set humidity level, the unit shuts off automatically. There’s also the option for continuous draining.
Placement of Dehumidifier in the Grow Room:
Check the Manual
Read the manual thoroughly for ventilation guidelines. Ideally, there should be at least 18″ of clearance between the air intakes and the nearest wall or significant obstruction.
Number of Dehumidifiers
If you plan to deploy only one dehumidifier, placing it in a central location inside the space is good, and putting it high is even better if the unit has a gravity drain. If you’re deploying several, you’ll want to space them and have adequate coverage throughout the space.
Noise is another important factor, especially in living areas. The measurements range from 3 feet away and can average at 50 decibels, a running fridge’s sound.
Placing dehumidifiers at the right place in the grow room would be beneficial for the plants.
For reducing the room’s humidity, it’s always best to place the dehumidifier in the middle of the room on the same level as the lights, especially if you only need one.
If the grow room requires multiple dehumidifiers, they should be well-spaced and do not go against the walls.
FAQs
Q. Why do you need a dehumidifier in a grow tent?
A. When you water the plants inside the grow rooms, it alters the humidity level. Humidity also increases in the grow room due to perspiration and air being vented into your grow tent from outside. It is ideal to place a dehumidifier in the grow tent to control this situation.
Q. What Is the Best Setting for a Grow Dehumidifier?
A. The RH setting should be between 30%-60%
Q. What Should Be the Humidity Level During Flowering?
Since the ideal setting is around 30%-60%, please keep it in the middle of that range during flowering. Setting it to 40%-45% is perfect.
Q. Are Dehumidifiers Expensive to Run?
A. A regular dehumidifier with a capacity of 30 pints generally operates at 280 Watts/hour. If the dehumidifier is run the entire day, it will still cost approximately 50 cents a day, resulting in an additional charge of around $200 per year. If the device is operated in colder places, it may require more energy to extract moisture.
Q. How to determine if the grow tent needs a dehumidifier?
A. If your grow tent has a musky scent and has water vapor accumulation on the inner walls, it is an indication that you need a dehumidifier. Grow tents are equipped with grow lights that provide your plants with artificial sunlight to make food and energy.
Since the inner walls are reflective, heat accumulates on the inside, which increases the humidity level inside the tent and stops your plants from transpiring and taking up nutrients from the soil.
Q. Do I need special features in my dehumidifier?
A. Special features include functionality such as touch panel, auto-restart, auto-defrost, and turbo modes, providing additional convenience for operating the machine. If it is not too expensive, a dehumidifier with extra features would be more efficient.
Q. What Can I Do If My Dehumidifier is Making My Grow Room Hot?
A. Most dehumidifiers rely on motors to do their work and will give off heat. Your grow tent or grow room is a confined space, and absent a robust ventilation system; the heat will get trapped in the room and increase the temperature over time.
If you start seeing this happening:
- Investing in a bigger dehumidifier that doesn’t run as often
- Increasing the ventilation in your growing space
- Install an air conditioner into the mix to help bring the temperature back down
- It takes a bit of experimentation to find the ideal blend of conditions for the grow room.
Q. Where is the best place to put a dehumidifier in a grow room?
A. There are several factors to consider where to place the dehumidifier in the grow room including, room size, number of plants in the grow tent, the layout, the amount of water used, airflow, ventilation, climatic conditions, type of dehumidifier used, and its capacity, standard temperature and humidity level of the area, etc.
You can ideally place the dehumidifier is just above or next to the grow lights of your grow system. However, if you have low ceilings or it is not possible to hang your dehumidifier from the ceiling, then you can place the dehumidifier on the floor, preferably directly under your grow tables.
Q. What is the best dehumidifier for a 5×5 grow tent?
A. For a 5×5 grow tent, any dehumidifier that can remove up to 40 to 50 pints of water from the air per day would be enough. It can be a desiccant type using silica gel technology, compressor type, or thermoelectric dehumidifier types.
Q. Will a dehumidifier dry out plants?
A. Regularly using a dehumidifier will not kill your plants, provided they are suitable for the requirement, routinely watered, cared for, and shown some indirect sunlight from time to time.
Q. What happens when you place the dehumidifier outside the grow tent?
A. Setting up a dehumidifier outside grow rooms is similar to installing carbon filters outside grow tents. You can consider installing a whole-house dehumidifier or a ducted dehumidifier. Consult with your professional to determine the best dehumidifier and its placements for your needs.
Q. Do All Grow Rooms Need A Dehumidifier?
A. Grow rooms struggling with high humidity in the air need a dehumidifier. Excess moisture can lead to problems such as powdery mildew, bud rot, and other fungal conditions that can affect your harvest. A dehumidifier won’t be necessary if you have a small grow room with a few plants. Instead, it would help adequately control high humidity levels with an exhaust system to expel hot, moist air.