The energy crisis of the mid 1970’s gave birth to a movement to conserve energy. Over the ensuing years much has been done to reduce the energy consumption of new and existing buildings. Lighting efficiency has improved so much that today we use ½ the wattage without sacrificing lumens. Improved construction methods, better insulation and high efficiency windows have also helped reduce energy consumption. However, all of these measures have resulted in a reduction of Sensible heat gains while Latent heat gains have increased. This is the reason that humidity related issues have surfaced since. | MAKEUP AIR DEHUMIDIFICATION DESIGN MANUAL 1/7/2003 1 MAKEUP AIR DEHUMIDIFICATION DESIGN MANUAL The energy crisis of the mid 1970’s gave birth to a air dehumidification system is designed to be simple and movement to conserve energy. Over the ensuing years less expensive to install, operate, maintain, troubleshoot and much has been done to reduce the energy consumption service. of new and existing buildings. Lighting efficiency has Makeup air dehumidifiers have been around for several improved so much that today we use ½ the wattage decades and the basic concept, to remove humidity by without sacrificing lumens. Improved construction overcooling pool air, and then compensate with re-heating, methods, better insulation and high efficiency windows has not changed. have also helped reduce energy consumption. However, all of these measures have resulted in a The Nautica dehumidifier uses a regenerative heat reduction of Sensible heat gains while Latent heat gains exchanger to reduce the load on the cooling coil by pre- have increased. This is the reason that humidity related cooling. This unique feature reduces energy consumption issues have surfaced since the mid 1970’s. by up to 50%. One of the methods for dealing with this issue is to Conventional makeup air dehumidifiers use hot refrigerant dehumidify and “neutralize” the moisture level of gas to reheat the air after cooling. This process use outdoor air used for makeup. This can be partially done automatic solenoid valves, check valves and piping to route using Latent energy recovery devices, such as desiccant the refrigerant hot gas to the appropriate device. On paper it enthalpy rotors. However, dedicated dehumidification looks good. However, excessive amounts of costly component is needed to reduce the outdoor air grain refrigerant are needed to fill the system and the devices in level equal to or lower than indoor grain level. It is the refrigerant circuit are subject to malfunction if a slight important to .
