American Optional Indoor Control System
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Controlling Humidity in Natatoriums/Indoor Pools How to get the PERFECT BALANCE of Water and Air from Building to Dehumidification Much data has been passed around over the years when it comes to indoor pools, for “how” and “why” to decently control the humidity in an indoor pool. Questions arise as to what works and at what cost – from exhaust fans, interchanging outside air for indoor air (waste ventilation), opening windows, plug in basement style dehumidifiers, 100% Outside Air systems, to mechanical refrigeration based dehumidification systems. A pool room is like a pot of boiling water on a stove… the moist warm air coming off the pool in the form of evaporation rises and stratifies in the ceiling areas and walls of the pool room. Left uncontrolled, this 100% humidity in the end destroys all building materials and equipment, ceilings cave in, mold, rot, mildew occur. Today’s heat recovery refrigeration based dehumidification systems reduce this humidity to the commended ASHRAE Guidelines of 50-60%, maintains temperatures, provides heating and cooling, and adds resource of free “reheat” to room and pool while in operation. In a great deal of cases, dehumidification is an afterthought or after moisture difficultnesses become apparent. In a great deal of cases instrumentation not suitable to these types of structures is installed and in ashort time becomes evident that it does not work to control the environment. Costs of preventing deterioration troubles with pool rooms may be prevented in the design stage and are much less than the costs of repairs down the road. What we see today is a lack of psychological result of perception learning and reasoning in building envelopes, engineering, installation of dehumidification systems and the in the right manner sized air deliverance scheme installed to reduce humidity, and control the pool room environs 365 days/year. Many companies have written articles that commend utilizing costly and unnecessary building materials, which in reality– are neither “bullet proof” nor water proof versus “mother nature’s heat pump”. An engineer who specialized in indoor pools and dehumidification once said “if it is a battle with water… water always wins”. In the past 30 years we’ve experienced indoor pools/natatoriums, fabricated enclosures that self destruct in less than 5 years- due introductory – to not taking the proper preventive measures in the design and building stages, and secondly, not installing the proper dehumidification environmental control system. There are various areas to cover as you are introduced to understanding the requisites of your indoor pool, the building and the dehumidification system required. Do not leave all of the exploration to architects/engineers, builders and HVAC firms to provide… most are not trained or schooled in either indoor pool buildings or dehumidification systems. They do the same exploration you ought to do. We ofttimes hear…. “We were never told in regards to a vapor barrier”… “We were never told we necessitated a system”… “We were told we did not need a dehumidification system that we could use exhaust fans”, “We thought we could use a plug in dehumidifier like the one in our basement”…. all of these myths may effortlessly be dispelled by little bit of research. Budget for dehumidification: Do it now at a lesser cost, or budget higher costs for tearing down, replacing drywall, windows and structural materials in less than 5 years. Often times the cost of a the right way designed dehumidification scheme is less pricey than renovating the structure. Sizing of a scheme is based on specific guidelines provided by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating & Refrigeration Engineers), ACCA, SMACNA and other consortiums in our industry. Under sizing and over sizing is mutual in this industry. This also may cause increased costs in operation. Along with your design requirements, all distinct elements are taken into contemplation to design the in the right manner sized system. Building requirements – Standard building materials may be used (vapor barriers, negative pressure, lighting, windows, mechanical space ought to be discussed with your consultant for your application). Certain merchandise will hold up better than others in a high humidity envelope. Most companies do not have the cognition to consult with you on the building side of the equation. You’ll want to look for companies that provide consulting along with their design and dehumidification system. HVAC – the dehumidification system. Many companies will tell you to buy a mercantile grade dehumidifier, the lowest cost unit, with the lowest installation cost, buy a littler unit that uses less electrical voltage than the standard, the lowest operating cost and to stay away from complex options. This is a bit misleading for assorted reasons: Dehumidification schemes are sized today to accommodate all types of applications; there are residential projects with 5-50 Tons, and mercantile projects with little 3 tons. Whether residential or mercantile application, you want a dehumidifier that is built for your application, your evaporation rate, your air flow and your design requirements. When companies want you to install a “smaller” unit because it is less expensive, or it is a plug in style unit, your question will have to 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. Great heart-bad arteries. Without ductwork, the heart (dehumidification) cannot work. Think of building a new home. As an owner, you would not install a furnace and an outdoor air conditioning system and then not attach it to the duct work system to move air flow at sure air turnover rates all around the home. You would likewise not just run ductwork to your family room and skip the rest of the house if you want the entire home to be comfortable. Energy efficiency, least cost of operation, least cost of equipment, are based on some constituents such as the size of your natatorium, your utility rates, using a pool cover, not over sizing or buying a littler dehumidification system than your project requires, the refrigerant charge, the instrumentation design, your building, heat loss/heat gain, etc. These are a few of the variables that ought to be taken into consideration. It is difficult for any manufacturer to guaranty the lowest operating cost of any system when “how you build” likewise affects the operating costs. The most effective way to reduce operating costs is to apply a pool cover when the pool is not in use and maintain temperatures at the commended levels. Secondly, look at your design; is it frequent construction with insulated walls and ceilings, or is at all glass? Building design also leads to a reduction or increase in utility costs. Environmental Pool Systems, Inc. is an expert in indoor pool humidity control. Our company provides consulting to the natatorium industry and has been building dehumidification systems since 1985. Feel free to browse http://www.dry-air.com, for further and added building information, call Chris Leonetti at 800-514-7051 or email chris@dry-air.com for specific questions! We’re here to see to it you will have a pool room that provides a healthy, stable, warm and arid surroundings for years to come! |
