HVAC dehumidifier energy wastage

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the energy efficiency of dehumidifiers in cold climates, particularly in temperate regions. Participants explore whether alternative methods, such as utilizing outside air temperature and heat transfer, could provide a more energy-conservative approach to dehumidification, especially during winter months.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the necessity of running dehumidifiers in cold climates, suggesting that outside air could be used for dehumidification through heat transfer, particularly during winter.
  • Others emphasize the importance of dehumidification to prevent condensation that could damage electronics and appliances.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the effectiveness of using natural heat transfer for dehumidification and asks for clarification on its potential improvements.
  • Technical concepts such as Gay-Lussac's Law and Bernoulli’s theorem are mentioned as frameworks to discuss energy use in dehumidification.
  • There is a request for mathematical backing to support claims about energy efficiency and dehumidification methods.
  • Some participants seek clarification on what is meant by "temperate regions" and the conditions under which condensation occurs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the efficiency of current dehumidification methods versus potential alternatives. There is no consensus on whether using outside air for dehumidification is a viable solution, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of the issue, including the need for technical data and mathematical analysis to substantiate claims. The discussion is limited by the absence of specific examples or calculations regarding energy use and effectiveness of proposed methods.

treB321
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Hi. Anybody every wondered why we pay to run dehumidifiers in cold climates, when so much moisture could be condensed through the use of outside air temperature/transfer ..ie look at the condensation on your windows ! ...(summer months ...open a window or just circulate outside air). Of course we're not talking tropical climates, more so temperate climate regions toward the poles.
Why do we waste the energy to run dehumidifiers when we could be using simple heat transfer as a less effective but more energy conservative way to dehumidify?
 
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treB321 said:
more so temperate climate regions toward the poles
What is a temperate region near the Earth's poles? They seem pretty cold when I do searches for vacation spots. :wink:

treB321 said:
..ie look at the condensation on your windows ! ...(summer months ...open a window or just circulate outside air).
And where the heck do you live where you get condensation on your windows in the summer?

And more to the point, can you please post links to the technical reading that you've been doing about this question? Without some math behind your question, it's pretty hard for us to respond, IMO. Thanks.
 
treB321 said:
Why do we waste the energy to run dehumidifiers when we could be using simple heat transfer as a less effective but more energy conservative way to dehumidify?
Usually it is because the goal is precisely to prevent the sort of condensation you are describing from occurring on or in electronics and appliances. We dehumidify to prevent dew from forming and shorting or damaging the electronics in the building.
 
Sorry I haven't asked that question as well as I should have. Yes I know WHY we dehumidify, but the 'way' we do it seems to be wasteful, or could it be achieved through an alternative more energy efficient method ? e.g. The condensation on a window dehumidifying a room, if the moisture is constantly collected ! True ?
 
berkeman said:
What is a temperate region near the Earth's poles? They seem pretty cold when I do searches for vacation spots. :wink:And where the heck do you live where you get condensation on your windows in the summer?

And more to the point, can you please post links to the technical reading that you've been doing about this question? Without some math behind your question, it's pretty hard for us to respond, IMO. Thanks.
Temperate as in anywhere between the tropics and the polar regions. Temperate latitudes then.
As I said in my first post the idea is not for summer " open a window" yes, I'm talking about the winter months when moisture build up can be a problem.
 
treB321 said:
Temperate as in anywhere between the tropics and the polar regions. Temperate latitudes then.
As I said in my first post the idea is not for summer " open a window" yes, I'm talking about the winter months when moisture build up can be a problem.
I don't have the math, that's why I'm asking.
 
treB321 said:
I don't have the math, that's why I'm asking.
You tell me why natural heat transfer could not be improved upon to enable a level of dehumidification thereby reducing the need for excessive energy use.
 

Gay-Lussac's Law ,Bernoulli’s theorem,

foehn effect

Use those and explain why we can not dehumidify with less energy.
 
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treB321 said:
Why do we waste the energy to run dehumidifiers when we could be using simple heat transfer as a less effective but more energy conservative way to dehumidify?
Maybe you should explain who "we" is - houses, office buildings, ...
Usually in the winter the outside cooler air is dryer, and humidification of makeup air for the interior space is required in a of situations.
 
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