Humidity control in swimming pools/indoor pools

How to get the PERFECT BALANCE of water and air from construction to dehumidification

Much information has been distributed over the years on indoor pools, on the “how” and “why” to properly control humidity in an indoor pool. Questions arise about what works and at what cost, from exhaust fans, exchanging outdoor air for indoor air (waste ventilation), opening windows, plug-in basement-style dehumidifiers, 100% outdoor air systems, to based dehumidification systems. in mechanical refrigeration. A billiards room is like a pot of boiling water on a stove…warm, moist air coming out of the pool as evaporation rises and stratifies on the ceiling and wall areas of the pool room. If left unchecked, this 100% humidity eventually destroys all building materials and equipment, roofs collapse, mold, rot, and mildew develop.

Today’s heat recovery refrigeration based dehumidification systems reduce this humidity to ASHRAE recommended guidelines of 50-60%, maintain temperatures, provide heating and cooling, and add free “reheat” resources to the room and the pool while they are in operation. In many cases, dehumidification is an afterthought or after moisture problems become apparent. In some cases, equipment that is not appropriate for this type of structure is installed and in a short time it becomes clear that it does not work to control the environment. The costs of preventing pool hall deterioration problems can be avoided at the design stage and are much less than the costs of future repairs. What we see today is a lack of knowledge in building envelopes, engineering, installation of dehumidification systems, and properly sized air supply system installed to reduce humidity and control the pool room environment. the 365 days of the year.

Many companies have written articles recommending using expensive and unnecessary building materials, which are not really “bulletproof” or waterproof against “Mother Nature’s heat pump.” An engineer specializing in indoor swimming pools and dehumidification once said “if it’s a battle with water… water always wins”.

In the last 30 years we have experienced indoor swimming pools/swimming pools, manufactured enclosures that self-destruct in less than 5 years, due first, to not taking adequate preventative measures in the design and construction stages, and second, to not installing adequate dehumidification. . environmental control system. There are several areas to cover as you learn to understand your indoor pool requirements, building, and required dehumidification system. Don’t leave all the research to architect/engineers, builders, and HVAC firms…most are not trained or educated on indoor pool buildings or dehumidification systems. They do the same research that you should do. We often hear… “They never told us about a vapor barrier”… “They never told us we needed a system”… “They told us we didn’t need a dehumidification system that we could use extractors”, “We thought we we could use a plug-in dehumidifier like the one in our basement”… all of these myths can be easily dispelled with a little research. Estimate for Dehumidification: Do it now for less, or budget for higher costs to demolish, replace drywall, windows and structural materials in less than 5 years. Many times, the cost of a properly designed dehumidification system is less expensive than renovating the structure.

Sizing a system is based on specific guidelines provided by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating and Cooling Engineers), ACCA, SMACNA, and other consortia in our industry. Under sizing and over sizing are common in this industry. This can also cause increased operating costs. Along with your design requirements, all aspects are considered to design the right size system. Construction Requirements: Standard construction materials can be used (vapor barriers, negative pressure, lighting, windows, and mechanical clearance must be discussed with your application consultant). Certain products will hold up better than others in a high humidity envelope. Most companies do not have the knowledge to consult with you on the construction side of the equation. You’ll want to look for companies that will provide consulting along with your dehumidification system and design. HVAC – the dehumidification system.

Many companies will tell you to buy a commercial grade dehumidifier, lowest cost unit, lowest installed cost, buy a smaller unit that uses less electrical voltage than standard, lowest operating cost, and keep it running. away from complex options. This is a bit tricky for several reasons: dehumidification systems today are sized to fit all kinds of applications; there are residential projects with 5-50 Tons and commercial projects with small 3 tons. Whether it’s a residential or commercial application, you want a dehumidifier that is designed for your application, your evaporation rate, your airflow, and your design requirements. When companies want you to install a “smaller” unit because it is less expensive or is a plugin style unit, your question should be to any manufacturer “does your system meet or exceed all ASHRAE guidelines for indoor pools”?

Air delivery (duct work). This is the most critical aspect of any installation. Big bad arteries for the heart. Without conduits, the heart (dehumidification) cannot function. Think about building a new house. As a homeowner, you wouldn’t install a furnace and outdoor air conditioning system and then do not connect to conduit system working to move airflow at certain rates of air rotation throughout the house. I also wouldn’t install ductwork in the living room and skip the rest of the house if you want the whole house to be comfortable. Energy efficiency, lowest cost of operation, lowest cost of equipment, are based on numerous factors such as the size of your swimming pool, your utility rates, using a pool cover, not oversizing or purchasing a pool system. dehumidification smaller than required by your project, refrigerant charge, equipment design, your building, heat loss/gain, etc.

These are some of the variables that must be taken into account. It’s hard for any manufacturer to guarantee the lowest operating cost of any system when “how it’s built” also affects operating costs. The most effective way to reduce operating costs is to use a pool cover when the pool is not in use and keep temperatures at recommended levels. Second, look at your design; Is it standard construction with insulated walls and ceilings, or is it glass? The design of the building also leads to a reduction or increase in the costs of public services.

Environmental Pool Systems, Inc. is an expert in humidity control for indoor pools. Our company consults to the swimming pool industry and has been building dehumidification systems since 1985. Feel free to browse http://www.dry-air.com, for additional construction information call Chris Leonetti at 800 -514-7051 or email chris @ dry-air.com for specific questions! We’re here to make sure you’ll have a pool room that provides a healthy, stable, warm, and dry environment for years to come!