Dehumidifier cabinet

Types of dehumidifier cabinets

A dehumidifier cabinet is a special storage unit that minimizes the humidity inside the chest. It is ideal for preserving moisture-sensitive items such as documents, books, food, medicinal products, etc. The following table summarizes some commonly used dehumidifier cabinets and their features.

• DryBox DC: It is a dehumidifying cabinet with the standard DryBox dehumidifier. The model features a desiccant (drying agent) that attracts moisture and a heater to reactivate the desiccant by evaporating the absorbed water. The DryBox DC is typically powered by AC current, which allows it to function continuously without manual desiccant reactivation. This makes it a convenient option for long-term dehumidification needs.
• DryBox DHC: The DryBox DHC operates similarly to the DryBox DC, but with one notable difference: it uses a fan to circulate hot air inside the cabinet. This process of circulating hot air helps to remove moisture from the desiccant, reactivating it in the process. The use of a fan for air circulation speeds up the drying process of the desiccant compared to heaters found in other models. As a result, the DryBox DHC can dehumidify cabinets quickly and be an excellent option for rapid drying tasks.
• DryBox DH: This dehumidifier cabinet is equipped with a digital hygrometer and a blow dryer. The digital hygrometer is used to display the humidity levels inside the cabinet, while the blow dryer features a fan that blows hot air into the cabinet space. Users can set the desired humidity levels using the digital hygrometer, and the blow dryer will function to constantly maintain those levels. This cabinet is suitable for individuals who want precise control over the humidity levels within the cabinet for optimal item preservation.

Specification and maintenance of dehumidifier cabinets

In understanding how to utilize the dehumidifier cabinet, it's imperative to study its specifications. Knowing the specifications will help users know what to expect in performance, energy consumption, and ideal application areas.

• Dehumidification capacity: This is usually measured in liters per day or pints per day. The dehumidifier cabinet's capacity determines how much moisture the machine can extract from the air in 24 hours.
• Airflow rate: The airflow rate, usually measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM), indicates the volume of air that passes through the dehumidifier cabinet in a minute. The CFM rate determines how quickly the dehumidifier cabinet extracts moisture from a space.
• Operating temperature and humidity range: Each dehumidifier cabinet is built to function optimally within a particular humidity and temperature range. Some models can operate effectively in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, while others can’t.
• Noise level: This is measured in dB (decibels). The measurement indicates how loud or quiet the dehumidifier cabinet is while operating. Users can go for models that emit relatively low noise if they want a quiet operational environment.
• Drainage options: Users can tell how a dehumidifier cabinet drains collected water by various drainage options, such as gravity drainage, manual collection, or pump-assisted drainage.
• Filters: Dehumidifier cabinets may have different filters, such as HEPA or carbon filters. Such filters help to remove dust, particles, and contaminants from the air.

Proper maintenance of the dehumidifier cabinet allows users to enjoy its benefits for a long time. The first maintenance task is to clean the air filter regularly. This enables the filter to continue to capture dust and particles from the air. A clogged or dusty air filter forces the device to work harder, which may reduce its lifespan and efficiency. Users should also examine the settings and controls frequently to ensure they are functioning right. If something seems amiss, they should consult the manual or call an expert.

Users can boost the dehumidifier cabinet's efficiency and prolong its lifespan by following these maintenance tips.

Application scenarios of dehumidifier cabinets

Some application scenarios of dehumidifier cabinets are as follows:

• Drying Food

  Dehumidifier cabinets can set a suitable humidity and temperature to dry food. It can keep fruits and vegetables fresh. Moreover, it can keep the nutrition and flavour of food. Dehumidifier cabinets also can make dried food have a longer shelf life.

• Preserving Artifacts

  Many museums and libraries have valuable artifacts. They need to preserve in a stable humidity environment. Dehumidifier display cabinets provide a stable humidity level. It can protect artifacts from mould, rot or deterioration.

• Protecting Electronics

  Electronics, like smartphones, tablets and cameras, are sensitive to moisture. Dehumidifier cabinets reduce humidity levels to safeguard electronic devices. It can prevent water damage and extend equipment lifespan.

• Drying Clothes And Shoes

  Dehumidifier cabinets are not limited to the commercial and public sectors. Many people also use them in their daily lives. Dehumidifier cabinets can dry clothes and shoes in a short time. It can prevent the growth of mildew.

• Drying Building Materials

  Dehumidifier cabinets can control humidity. It is helpful for construction projects. Dehumidifier cabinets can ensure the timely drying of building materials, such as wood, concrete and plaster. It can reduce the risk of structural damage and speed up the construction timeline.

• Maintaining Humidity For Musical Instruments

  Dehumidifier cabinets are also helpful for valuable musical instruments, such as pianos, guitars and violins. These instruments are easy to change due to humidity fluctuations. Dehumidifier cabinets can moderate humidity levels. Hence, it can prevent cracking, warping and other damage caused by humidity changes.

How to Choose Dehumidifier Cabinets

Before purchasing a dehumidifier cabinet for a specific area, several factors have to be taken into account to ensure that the ideal model is chosen.

• Humidity Requirements

  Different locales will have different levels of humidity. Below 30% relative humidity, mold and dust mites cannot survive. However, certain objects like wooden instruments, violins, and human skin, among others, require a humidity level of 45% or higher to prevent cracking and drying. Therefore, one must ascertain the desired humidity and choose a dehumidifier cabinet accordingly.

• Temperature Range

  Dehumidifier cabinets work on the principle of condensation, which is temperature dependent. If the objective is only to bring down the humidity and not lower the temperature, then a thermoelectric dehumidifier cabinet should be chosen. This is suitable for higher-temperature environments, as compressor cabinets are preferable in cooler environments due to their ability to lower temperatures more quickly.

• Room Size

  The area to be dehumidified should also be considered, as smaller capacity cabinets are more energy efficient but may not bring down the humidity to the required level, while larger capacity cabinets are more expensive to operate.

• Energy Efficiency

  Dehumidifier cabinets consume a considerable amount of energy, and hence, the energy rating should be checked before making a purchase to prevent excessive electricity bills.

• Portability

  If the object to be stored in the cabinet is valuable, then its portability is essential. In this case, it would be ideal to have a cabinet with wheels that can be moved around and a power cord long enough to reach any available outlet.

Dehumidifier cabinet Q & A

Q: How much humidity is too much in a cabinet?

A: Ideally, wood and other materials should not exceed 60% relative humidity. The perfect range is between 30% to 50% relative humidity. Anything above 60% is considered too high and could lead to mold growth and deterioration.

Q: At what humidity do cabinets get mold?

A: Mold needs at least 70% relative humidity to thrive. However, it is best to keep the cabinet humidity below 60% to prevent mold growth.

Q: How long does it take a dehumidifier to lower humidity?

A: The time taken to lower humidity depends on the cabinet's size, the dehumidifier's capacity, and the current humidity levels. Typically, a dehumidifier can reduce humidity by 10% to 20% within 1 to 2 hours. Full dehumidification may take between 12 to 24 hours or longer.

Q: Should a dehumidifier run continuously?

A: It is not necessary for a dehumidifier to run continuously. As long as the humidity is maintained within the ideal range, the dehumidifier can occasionally run. However, some models have settings for continuous operation. Check the cabinet air conditioner's manual before overriding the controller's settings.