AIR HANDLING UNITS


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Office humidity control prevents the dry, uncomfortable conditions typical after winter fresh air is heated to comfortable levels


Mastering humidity in air handling units


Imagine entering a space where air feels perfectly balanced – not clammy, not arid. Air handling units (AHUs) deliver this, powered by precise humidity control that transforms erratic outdoor air into healthy indoor environments. Tom Barker, internal sales manager at Humidity Solutions explains


W


hen entering a space and you instantly feel dry, or the area is humid, you know the air isn’t being properly conditioned. This


is where air handling units (AHUs) excel and are able to provide precise temperature and fresh air control in spaces. However, unchecked temperature control can also often have knock-on effects of too low or too high relative humidity; this is where fitted humidifiers and dehumidifiers are also essential to help transform unpredictable outside conditions into healthy indoor environments for workers and processes to be in their optimal conditions.


Unlocking comfort and health


Outdoor air swings wildly with the seasons, and AHU heating or cooling amplifies those shifts, risking dry winter air that sparks static and sickness or humid summers that breed discomfort and cause processes to fall outside of their optimal control parameters, and so cause inconsistencies for the customer, often leading to a reduction in profitability. Optimal humidity - often 40-60% - slashes virus spread in offices and hospitals, protects museum artifacts from cracking, and keeps labs stable. Humidity control systems are often


14 May 2026


Left: Tom Barker, Internal Sales Manager at Humidity Solutions


Humidity control doesn’t have to be for the whole building, often we are contacted to ensure certain rooms or zones, where critical equipment is stored or working, maintain tight humidity control. On these occasions, we can offer either duct-mounted or in- room solutions to make sure we are not affected by external conditions within the space. When it comes to humidity control, humidifiers


overlooked and are required to be retrofitted at a later date, but with the wide range of technologies available, there is always a solution to be found.


Smart ways to tame humidity


AHUs master humidity in dedicated zones: add moisture with humidifiers or strip it via dehumidifiers, often retrofitted if overlooked initially. Steam (isothermal) options vaporise quickly over short distances - even just 200mm past bends - while cold-water (adiabatic) types slash energy use for net-zero goals, doubling as coolers. Pick based on water quality: electrode steam for soft water, resistive for hard, paired with reverse osmosis for minimal upkeep.


produce and raise the relative humidity, whereas dehumidifiers remove moisture and lower the relative humidity. For extremely close control areas, we often have a humidifier and dehumidifier working side by side, controlled via a dead band, and ensuring a set relative humidity range is achieved.


Steam (isothermal) options can be absorbed in


very short distances if required; this can be critical within AHU or duct installations to ensure the moisture is fully absorbed prior to any additional equipment or changes in the AHU/duct dimensions, both of which can cause wetting within the duct if not accounted for.


With isothermal humidifiers, there are two standout technologies to consider: the electrode and resistive ranges. Both produce steam but do so in different ways. Electrode units pass an electrical current between electrode plates, but as you need


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