HUMIDIFICATION & DEHUMIDIFICATION Why moisture levels matter


Ranald Stewart, regional sales manager and humidity control specialist at Klima-Therm, explains why humidity control should be considered alongside temperature management in commercial and industrial buildings to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and maintain optimum operating conditions.


By treating humidity control as an


Ranald Stewart www.klima-therm.co.uk


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Regional sales manager at Klima-Therm


aintaining the correct balance of temperature and humidity is fundamental in many commercial


and industrial environments. Data centres require stable conditions to protect IT equipment and electrical infrastructure, while manufacturing facilities depend on tightly controlled moisture levels to safeguard processes, materials and product quality. Occupants also benefit from appropriate humidity levels, which contribute to comfort, wellbeing and, particularly in healthcare settings, infection control. Whether in laboratories, healthcare


facilities, archives, storage areas, leisure centres or high-specification commercial buildings, the challenge remains the same: temperature and humidity must be managed together.


Hidden costs Humidity is often viewed as a secondary consideration, but in many applications it plays a critical role in operational performance, resilience and energy efficiency. Excess moisture can lead to


condensation, corrosion, microbial growth, material degradation and process instability. Conversely, air that is too dry can create electrostatic discharge risks, damage sensitive materials and reduce occupant comfort. In sectors such as electronics manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, printing and food production, humidity control can directly affect product quality and process reliability. One of the most energy-intensive


practices in HVAC systems is using cooling coils to reduce air temperature below its dew point in order to remove moisture. Once dehumidified, the air is often too cold for the space and must be reheated before being supplied. This process effectively uses energy twice: first to overcool the air and then to warm it back up.


EIBI | JULY � AUGUST 2026


integral part of the HVAC strategy rather than a by-product of cooling, building operators can significantly improve system efficiency. Separating latent moisture removal from sensible cooling allows each process to be optimised independently, reducing energy consumption while maintaining stable environmental conditions.


Integrated strategy Modern dehumidification technologies provide a more efficient approach to moisture control. Desiccant systems, for example, remove water vapour directly from the air stream, enabling cooling systems to operate at higher and more efficient temperatures while still achieving the low humidity levels required by the application. In facilities where very dry air is


essential, such as data centres, pharmaceutical production and battery/electronics manufacturing, this approach can reduce the burden on mechanical refrigeration systems and lower overall energy demand. Where humidity control and cooling


are designed as part of an integrated air-treatment strategy, evaporative and adiabatic technologies can further enhance efficiency by reducing the load on refrigeration equipment.


Cooling effi ciency Evaporative cooling harnesses the natural cooling effect of water evaporation. As air passes through a wetted medium, a proportion of the water evaporates into the airstream, reducing the air temperature before it reaches the primary cooling system. Modern contact-panel evaporative


systems can provide highly efficient pre-cooling without generating water carryover onto sensitive equipment or heat exchanger surfaces. By lowering the temperature of incoming air, these systems help improve the efficiency of chillers and dry coolers, particularly during periods of high ambient temperature. For facilities operating close to


cooling capacity limits, this can be especially valuable. Data centres, manufacturing sites and other energy- intensive buildings are increasingly being asked to accommodate higher loads without significant


Klima-Therm has recently partnered with Fisair to deliver its range of humidifiers and dehumidifiers to the UK


infrastructure upgrades. Reducing entering air temperatures can increase available cooling capacity, improve heat-rejection performance and help maintain stable operating conditions during peak summer conditions. Well-designed low-pressure


evaporative systems offer additional advantages, including high saturation efficiency, modular construction, corrosion-resistant materials and simplified maintenance requirements. Systems that prevent aerosol generation can also assist with hygiene management and minimise concerns associated with airborne water droplets.


Cutting carbon Managing humidity through overcooling and reheat is inherently inefficient. By adopting technologies that remove moisture more directly, building operators can reduce chiller energy consumption, minimise or eliminate reheat requirements and support wider decarbonisation objectives. Where evaporative or adiabatic


assistance reduces peak cooling demand, there may also be opportunities to reduce plant size, electrical infrastructure requirements and standby generation capacity in new-build projects. The commercial benefits are equally significant. Lower electricity consumption reduces operating costs, while improvements in cooling efficiency can extend the life of existing assets and defer expensive plant replacement projects. In retrofit applications, enhanced humidity control can provide a cost-effective route to increasing system performance without major infrastructure investment.


Healthy environment As buildings become more energy- conscious and environmental requirements continue to tighten, humidity control deserves the same level of consideration as temperature management.


Whether in data centres,


Managing humidity through overcooling and reheat is inherently inefficient


manufacturing facilities, healthcare environments, educational buildings or commercial offices, the objective is increasingly the same: to create stable, healthy and efficient indoor environments while minimising energy consumption and carbon emissions. By addressing moisture control as


part of an integrated HVAC strategy, building owners and operators can improve performance, reduce operating costs and build greater resilience into their facilities for the future. ■


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