Dehumidification Facts w/ Nikki

In today’s podcast, Nikki and Bryan discuss dehumidification. They cover the relationship between cooling and dehumidification, humidity control, and dehumidifier installation practices.

If the A/C unit is the king, the dehumidifier is the queen. The A/C unit controls cooling and humidity, but it can only do so much. A dehumidifier helps the A/C manage comfort under more demanding conditions. Many factors contribute to comfort, including sensible heat ratio (SHR), relative humidity (RH), and ventilation. Dehumidification reaches all of those factors.

Humidity control requires a holistic approach. Band-aid fixes DO NOT work. Dehumidifiers should work with the A/C system and building design to keep RH in the 50-55% range. Proper installation is vital. For example, tying into the HVAC supply is a recommended practice. Returns are the opposite; dedicated returns are preferred. Other factors to consider are proper sizing, Manual J, and customer expectations.

Join Nikki and Bryan as they cover:

Relative humidity targets
Sensible heat ratio (SHR)
Latent removal capacity
Ventilation
Building design and tightness
Manual J
Challenges with ductless systems
Ducting into the supply with dedicated returns
Installation practices
Dehumidifier sales and customer service

And much more…

To learn more about Santa Fe Ultra series, go to www.santa-fe-products.com. You can scroll through the products to find the Ultra series free-standing ventilating dehumidifiers.

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Author:

Nikki Krueger

Company: Santa Fe Indoor Air Quality Solutions

Position: Director of Marketing & Business Development

Bryan Orr

Company: HVAC School

Position: Founder

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In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Mike, a 20-year veteran from DITEK, a leading American manufacturer of surge protection devices based in Largo, Florida. The conversation begins with a brief discussion about recent hurricane impacts in the Tampa Bay area, where DITEK maintains its 65,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. Mike shares how the company, despite facing challenging weather conditions, continued its operations and maintained its commitment to American manufacturing.

The bulk of the discussion centers around surge protection technology and its critical importance in protecting HVAC systems and other electronic equipment. Mike provides an excellent analogy, comparing surge protectors to pressure relief valves for electrical systems. He explains how Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs) work as semiconductors that create low impedance paths to ground when voltage exceeds certain thresholds. The conversation delves into the evolution of MOV technology, particularly the development of thermally protected MOVs that provide enhanced safety features.

The episode also addresses common misconceptions about surge protection, particularly the belief that surge protectors are primarily for lightning protection. Mike explains that while lightning strikes are a concern, especially in areas like Florida, approximately 65% of surges actually originate from within facilities themselves, often from equipment cycling on and off or other power quality issues. He emphasizes the importance of proper installation, particularly regarding ground connections and lead lengths, noting that every six inches of wire length can add about 100 volts to the clamping voltage of the device.

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DITEK’s history and commitment to American manufacturing
Basic principles of surge protection and how MOVs work
Evolution of MOV technology and thermal protection features
Difference between transient voltage and temporary overvoltage (TOV)
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UL testing standards and voltage protection ratings (VPR)
Common misconceptions about surge protection
Impact of aging electrical infrastructure on power quality
Importance of customer support and ethical business practices
Installation best practices for surge protection devices
Relationship between ground resistance and surge protector performance
Types of surge protective devices (SPD) and their classifications

Learn more about DITEK at https://www.diteksurgeprotection.com/.

Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 6th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.