Indoor pool or spa provides a place to relax, exercise, and entertain guests. While incredibly enjoyable, these places require special maintenance and care, failing, which can lead to an indoor environment that is unclean, uncomfortable, and unhealthy.
Indoor swimming pools are usually heated to be used throughout the year. When a pool or spa water gets heated to maintain a comfortable temperature, it generates large amounts of water vapor. For example, a 4 square meter spa dissipates approximately 6 liters of water per hour, equivalent to 20 people having an intense sporting activity, such as dancing or cycling. This increases the relative humidity level in the air, which can sometimes reach as high as 80% or even 90%. Besides high humidity levels, you may also find water puddles on the floors, walls, and ceilings of the spa or pool area.
Indoor pool and spa also have extra humidity due to ventilation, water evaporation, and the damp ground. This evaporating moisture can cause humidity levels to rise significantly. Indoor pool environments need to maintain relative humidity levels at less than 60% to stave off mold growth. Higher humidity levels can cause mold growth and foul odors, and other forms of interior damage. Prolonged exposure to high humidity levels can lead to wood rotting, metal corrosion, paint damage, and impact the structure of the building, as moisture seeps through the cladding and condenses in the walls. This may lead to costly ongoing repairs, renovation, and business interruptions, and may even cause health issues to family, guests, and staff members.
Related Read: List of dehumidifiers that help prevent mold growth
A dehumidifier can help you prevent these potential safety hazards make your pool or spa area look more comfortable. By removing all that extra humidity from the air and condensed moisture in the indoor pool or spa, the dehumidifier creates a comfortable and healthy environment for the indoor pool or spa users. Excessive humidity can promote air quality problems, and you and your guests may notice unpleasant odors or even experience respiratory issues. A dehumidifier ensures that the air in your spa or pool area remains clean and healthy. During warmer months, a dehumidifier can make the air in your pool or spa room feel more relaxed. A dehumidifier helps in lower your energy bills and prevent interior home damage. A dehumidifier represents a one-time investment that will provide saving for a long time.
Why Use Pool/Spa Dehumidifiers
Since the pool or spa generates a high volume of evaporated water, traditional residential dehumidifiers will not be efficient enough to remove the excess moisture. Residential dehumidifiers cannot handle that much humidity and run the risk of breaking down or mechanical failure. Also, several residential dehumidifiers need to be purchased to ensure proper coverage and maintain the humidity levels in the indoor pool or spa area.
Industrial dehumidifiers are heavy-duty and are made with durable parts and can withstand harsh, humid environments. Designed for larger spaces, industrial dehumidifiers can remove up to 200 PPD (pints per day) of humidity. The evaporated pool water is collected and replaced into the pool via a drain hose.
Selecting a Dehumidifier for Indoor Pool or Spa
Selecting the correct dehumidifier for an indoor pool environment is crucial. Consider where you would place the dehumidifier and how frequently to use it. From wall-mounted units, portable devices, manual dehumidifiers, and automatically draining dehumidifiers with hose connections, there are multiple options available in the market.
Once you have zero in on the type of unit to purchase, consider factors like energy efficiency and price point. If you have a hot tub and pool adjacent to each other, consider sizing them separately.
An industrial dehumidifier will help mitigate moisture issues while helping you keep your heating costs down in winter. Depending on the moisture level and the square footage, consider industrial dehumidifiers that have been tested at AHAM conditions.
If possible, consider a dehumidifier with a slightly higher capacity than the actual square footage. The dehumidifier would not need to run frequently, equating to higher moisture removal and lower electricity costs. Look for a dehumidifier consider a unit with a condensate pump that can vertically pump water upwards of 20 feet, to ensure the water is disposed of efficiently.
The indoor spa dehumidifier maintains the relative humidity at a comfortable level between 55 and 60% RH, and you should also consider hygienic air renewal (commonly known as CMV). It is essential to provide approximately 20 m3/h of fresh air per occupant, i.e., 20 cubic meters of air coming entering the spa room and then extracted outside via a fan per hour.
Evaluating Your Dehumidifying Needs
- Size of the pool or spa
- Size of the surrounding room.
- Pool temperature, air temperature, and humidity level
- The presence of drains to accommodate the draining water from the dehumidifier
Best Dehumidifiers for Indoor Pool/Spa (With Review)
1. BlueDri BD-130P 225PPD High-Performance Industrial Commercial Dehumidifier
The BlueDri BD-130P comes with a high-efficiency rotary compressor that ensures the maximum moisture extraction, of up to 225 pints per day (105 PPD AHAM).
The BlueDri BD-130P comes equipped with an automatic water pump, digital panel, electrical control with an auto-restart option, hour counter, RH, and temperature sensors. The commercial dehumidifier is built to withstand the rigors of the toughest spaces.
The BlueDri BD-130P is built with a heavy-duty roto-mold technology that comes with a one-year and a five-year housing warranty. The industrial dehumidifier includes a 38-foot drain hose that can automatically pump water up to 5 meters up in height to efficiently direct the water out of a basement or home. Its control panel allows water to be manually purged out of the hose so that you don’t have to drain the water manually.
The BlueDri BD-130P combines high-tech design with professional-grade performance and portability. The unit can be left on all day and has an internal usage timer to track how long the unit has been used. Furthermore, it is equipped with an easy to remove the filter that can be quickly rinsed clean and reused.
Pros
- Quiet and Powerful
- Extended warranty
- Easy to Setup and Use
- Higher extraction capacity
Cons
- Comparatively lower pressure threshold
Why buy this unit: The BlueDri BD-130P is loaded with features to make dehumidification a breeze. The dehumidifier is easy to set up and operate.
2. COLZER 190 PPD Commercial Dehumidifier
COLZER TR160D commercial dehumidifier can remove up to 190 pints of moisture from the air per day at saturation (90°F, 90%) (93 PPD @ AHAM). The commercial dehumidifier is ideal for flood & water damage restoration, carpet cleaning, fast drying in indoor gardening/greenhouse/pool/spa, construction areas, marine environments, and vast spaces up to 6,000 sq. ft.
The COLZER TR160D features an internal heavy-duty condensate pump of 15 ft drain height connecting with a 17 ft wrinkle-free long drain hose. The self-draining industrial dehumidifier will automatically remove the condensation water to anywhere you want while ensuring you are always on the top of operation without downtime.
The COLZER TR160D commercial dehumidifier is encased in a Roto-molded housing, much better in resisting dents, abrasion, and corrosion than metal. This ETL listed water damage dehumidifier is backed with a 2-year free warranty with a 5-year warranty on housing. The device is easy to set up, plug it in, and switch it on; no further manual adjustment is required. The LCD screen displays the humidity level and the temperature of both the inlet and outlet. The auto-restart on power failure and auto HGV defrost features allow less supervision.
The large semi-pneumatic wheels and rigid handle make the COLZER TR160D highly portable. The long PVC drain hose 17 ft and 25 feet power cord add extra flexibility and can be wrapped on the winders on the back. The device comes with foldable handles, while the rugged housing is stackable, saving valuable spaces for both storage and transportation.
The COLZER TR160D comes with an LCD that displays the temperature and humidity level at both inlet and outlet. The device also includes the Hour Meter that maintains a log and tracks job hours for better task management, a purge button that can be used to empty the pump in preparation for transport manually. The COLZER TR160D c is also equipped with Auto Restart option after a power interruption for low-hassle operation. During operation, this self-draining dehumidifier will automatically purge the collected condensation water out to a bucket, sink, out a window, or anywhere else that water can drain safely. But to this restoration dehumidifier with a heavy-duty internal pump and an extended drain hose, it won’t be a problem anymore.
COLZER TR160D is constructed with rugged roto-molded polyethylene housing, which is much more durable than the metal housing of conventional commercial dehumidifiers. The rugged roto-molded housing could reduce the impact of bumps or accidental drops during transportation, ensuring maximum lifespan. The roto-molded housing is dent, scratch, chemicals, and corrosion resistant, maintaining the original looking of your dehumidifier after years of use.
This commercial dehumidifier is equipped with an HGV defrosting system that delivers fast and efficient frost removal from the coils without experiencing stoppages, standard in other compressor dehumidifiers during the defrosting process, thereby optimizing the dehumidification efficiency. This industrial dehumidifier with better defrost abilities can remove water even in low-temperature environments as 33°F, being reliable solutions for restoration tasks.
The semi-pneumatic wheels and rigid handlebar allow for easy maneuvering around corners, stairs, and furniture. The stackable housing and collapsible handle save valuable space during transportation and storage. The winder and strap on the back help to keep the long power cord and drain pipe neat and safe when not in use.
This commercial-grade dehumidifier comes with a high-density filter to protect internal components from damage due to airborne dust, debris, and other particles, ensuring a long lifespan. Meanwhile, this high-airflow air filter provides maximum airflow throughout the operation. Besides, this air filter is easily accessible, vacuum-able, washable, and reusable, saving you the cost and hassle of the replacement filter.
Pros
- Covers large spaces
- Low noise level
Cons
- No Humidistat
Why buy this unit: If you’re looking for a unit that can withstand the rigors of the harshest conditions, you won’t go wrong with this COLZER TR160D roto-molded dehumidifier.
Maintaining Your Pool Dehumidifier
A pool or spa dehumidifier needs periodic cleaning, maintenance, and repairs. Ignoring these can lead to an inefficient unit that is not performing at the optimal level.
Clean the bucket and pipes and change the air filters about once a year. It is advisable to install a hygrometer to check the efficiency of the dehumidifier. If you follow these simple steps, your dehumidifier should be an investment that truly pays off.
Many industrial dehumidifiers need a simple filter change every six months. Dehumidifier filters clean the incoming air, remove particulates and mold spores, spread clean air to improve the air quality, and ensure that the dehumidifier’s internal components do not collect dust.
Periodically Check Drain Line: Check the hose and drain line to periodically to ensure that there are no leaks or other damage.
Keep the surrounding area clean: Regular upkeep of the area around the dehumidifier is essential to ensure efficient operations, and the device is easily accessible for maintenance and periodic checks.