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irstly, we would look at whether the application requires a humidifier, dehumidifier or both. Secondly, does the application


requires cooling? If so, an adiabatic humidifier can assist in providing low-energy cooling. Thirdly, what is the duty required?


Humidification


Humidity can be added to the air by either boiling the water to generate steam, spraying/atomising water or by evaporation. Steam humidifiers will unavoidably use a lot of


energy in the isothermal process of changing the physical state of the water from a liquid to a gas (steam). However, as a system, this process may provide the most energy-efficient way of adding humidity. Low-energy humidifiers are generally adiabatic


systems, which include ultrasonic, high-pressure spray and evaporative humidifiers. Because no heat energy is required, the power source is only to power oscillators in the case of the ultrasonics or small pumps in the case of the evaporative or spray system. Consequently, these use approximately 10% of the energy to run the humidifiers compared with steam generation. In addition, these cold-water humidifiers provide cooling to the air, which can reduce the load on traditional air conditioning. Two energy savings in one system results in potentially lower running costs for the temperature/ humidity control after adding the humidifier. The system design also needs to be considered to determine which method of cold-water humidification is best suited. Large direct air systems are generally spray


systems, small laboratories or test chambers are often suited to ultrasonic humidifiers, while data centres and manufacturing process control frequently favour evaporative systems. Despite using a lot of energy themselves, steam humidifiers may, in some cases, be the low-energy option for the system.


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Cotes Desiccant Dehumidifier in a car storage facility


Energy efficiency in humidity control


Energy efficiency is a key consideration in the decision-making process of any financial investment, no more so than in recent years. As specialists in humidity control, Humidity Solutions is frequently asked for advice about low-energy systems and, by identifying a few key application criteria, we can make a sound recommendation, says managing director John Barker


The reason for this is that adiabatic humidifiers, while using a small amount of energy themselves, do cool the air. This can be a great advantage in environments where excess heat is a by-product of the process, or in warmer climates. However, if the building or process requires heating, then this cooling effect is not welcome and requires additional heat energy to be added to the air. This heat energy equates to the amount of energy difference between a similarly sized adiabatic system versus a steam humidifier, so no system energy saving. Retrofit systems or new designs may require a


larger heating coil to be added to provide this extra heat, larger burners and bigger heat pumps, all of which come at a capital and running cost. Taking the energy source into account and the


Adiabatic evaporative humidifier proving humidity and cooling to a data centre


18 October 2025


cost per kW is also part of the calculation. It takes the same amount of energy to convert water to steam, whatever the technology. However, where energy can be saved is in the way that the system prevents condensation, which, when produced is essentially throwing energy down the drain.


Induct low-energy high-pressure spray humidifier


Therefore, we can also make the steam humidifiers as efficient as possible – the normal steam humidifier has a drain cycle to remove dissolved solids from the steam cylinder to extend the maintenance period. However, by adding a reverse osmosis plant, we can remove the minerals before entering the boiling process – the drain cycle is no longer needed, so it can be turned off, which stops hot, heated water from going to the drain and


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