HUMIDITY CONTROL
www.heatingandventilating.net
Pairing precision generation with high-efficiency dispersion
Humidity control has shifted from a specialised concern to a core pillar of effective HVAC design. It is central to creating more energy-efficient buildings that maintain greater stability, reliability, and consistency in the indoor environment over time, while also supporting healthier indoor conditions and lowering the total cost of ownership. Stephen Finkel, DriSteem regional sales manager elaborates
A
s organisations place greater emphasis on indoor environmental quality, operational reliability, and sustainability, the
conversation is shifting from selecting a humidifier to optimising the entire humidification strategy. True efficiency is achieved not through a single piece of equipment, but through the thoughtful integration of steam generation, dispersion, and water management practices that work together as a unified system to reduce energy and water consumption expense. Maintaining relative humidity between 40% and 60% is widely recognised as beneficial for protecting materials, enhancing occupant wellbeing, and supporting industrial processes. However, many facility managers still struggle to maintain consistent humidity levels in their buildings without driving up energy consumption or maintenance effort. The common misconception is that the humidifier itself is the determining factor. In reality, the way steam is introduced into the airstream can have an equal or greater impact on performance, efficiency, and lifecycle cost. A high-performance humidification strategy begins with precise steam generation that responds quickly to demand changes, maintains stable output, and adapts to varying water qualities. But steam generation alone does not guarantee results. If steam is not dispersed efficiently, the humidifier may need to overproduce steam, and the air handling unit may need to add unnecessary reheat. This results in higher energy use, increased water consumption, and a shorter lifespan for critical HVAC components. This is why advanced dispersion design has
become one of the most important elements of modern humidity control. High-efficiency dispersion assemblies that deliver rapid steam absorption can significantly reduce the reheat load on the air- handling unit, minimizing energy use throughout the humidification season. By maintaining steam temperature and distributing moisture uniformly, these assemblies support more stable and predictable humidity levels across the occupied space. Just as importantly, rapid absorption reduces the amount of condensate that forms in the duct, lowering the volume of wasted water and improving overall water efficiency. Equally important is the relationship between dispersion and maintenance. Efficient dispersion reduces the mechanical stress placed on both the humidifier and the duct system.
12 January 2026
Left: DriSteem offers insulated dispersion tubes that provide significant energy savings. Airstream heat gain and dispersion- generated condensate production are also significantly lowered.
Above right: Stephen Finkel, DriSteem regional sales manager
Right: DriSteem’s RTS® electric resistive humidifier is compatible with all water types and continuously learns as it runs, automatically adapting to optimise steam output and overall performance.
Above: DriSteem offers insulated dispersion tubes that provide significant energy savings. Airstream heat gain and dispersion-generated condensate production are also significantly lowered.
Because steam is absorbed quickly and evenly, components experience less temperature cycling, fewer corrosion risks, and reduced mineral deposition. When paired with intelligent water treatment and scale-mitigation strategies, this helps reduce component wear and lower the frequency of service interventions needed to maintain reliable operation. This integrated view of humidification –
generation, dispersion, and water management functioning together – is now recognised as a best practice for lowering the total cost of ownership. When generation, dispersion, and water management function together, the system uses less energy, consumes less water, and requires less maintenance while delivering high-performance humidity control. The result is an efficient system
that provides tangible savings over its lifespan. As buildings evolve to meet higher expectations
for sustainability and occupant wellbeing, humidity control must evolve with them. High-efficiency dispersion and intelligent system design are powerful tools for reducing operating costs, improving reliability, and supporting sustainable objectives. The future of humidification lies not in any single product, but in the thoughtful engineering that brings every part of the system into harmony. For organisations seeking to elevate their indoor
environments while keeping operational costs in check, now is the time to rethink humidification not as equipment selection, but as strategic integration. Effective humidity control is achieved when generation, dispersion, and water management work together as a unified system, and this requires informed design and expert guidance. Humidity control specialists at DriSteem can help
evaluate your facility’s needs, identify opportunities for improved efficiency, and recommend strategies that support long-term reliability and performance.
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