Sometimes in wanting to do the right thing, we move a little too fast in our decision making and don’t go far enough or deep enough in our research to make the choice that leads to the most satisfactory solution. We tend to be romanced by the marketers’ pitch and lulled into not questioning the most essential aspect of decision making. And that is common sense.
What may sound too good to be true, generally is the reality. However, don’t give up, a solution to comprehension is not only digging deeper, but also requires one’s diligence and a healthy dose of doubt about data or specifications that don’t really cover the most important and critical aspects necessary in making your final selection on equipment or products best suited for business requirements and continued growth with expanding prosperity.
It is thus important to have a more complete discussion about clean, purified air and controlling particulate matter (PM), the most dangerous element existing in the grooming environment. We must cover not only the need for an air purifier and a dehumidifier unit that can do the job, but also the need to ensure the equipment can function at its highest effectiveness and efficiency while reducing maintenance issues as well as insuring long-term dependability that will provide a healthier, safer, and more comfortable grooming environment for personnel and clients.
As was described in our review of dehumidifiers and its role reducing high spikes in salons’ humidity levels primarily created in drying animals after bathing and reducing drying times, we also covered the role high moisture levels have in increasing particulate matter (PM) production. PM studies have also shown that heat and high humidity levels assist bacteria, fungi, and mold growth while also greatly expanding health risks in enclosed areas.
Additionally we did not fully cover the effects animal hair, dander, and other small particle pollutant have on the efficient operation of dehumidifiers and the need to prevent these materials entering the internal workings of the dehumidifier unit. A dehu unit has three challenges that complicate easy maintenance that are:
- Commercial and retail dehumidifiers process much less air volume as measured in cubic feet per minute than commercial air purifiers.
- Dehumidifiers are equipped with mostly foam-type filters or other less restrictive airflow filters which are porous and allow PM and other small particles to penetrate.
- The construction of a dehu includes a multitude of internal surfaces that are metal, creating moisture buildup on these parts that allows adhesion of small particles and particulate matter to accumulate. Due to the complexity of a dehumidifier’s internal makeup, this maintenance can be burdensome and difficult to accomplish.
Operating a dehu in the space producing large amounts of PM and small particle pollutants as we find in most animal grooming facilities can cause dehu clogging in a relatively short period of days. The need to clean the dehu’s intake air to the degree found in commercial air purifiers equipped with at least a 1-inch thick HEPA filter included in the filter compliment can easily resolve this issue by connecting the clean air produced by the air purifier directly into the dehu intake at a level that is easily processed with excess clean air being bled off.
The good news is that there is commercial equipment available that provides a leak-free connection to marry portable air purifiers and dehumidifiers by including special dehu kits that allow this bleed-off evolution. The excess clean air processed by the air purifier, which cannot be processed quickly by dehu, is thus recycled by the inclusion of a special dehu kit that bleeds off this filtered air, rendering the low-rated dehu filter almost inconsequential in protecting the unit from clogs.
It also allows the air purifier to operate when the dehu is not needed and is turned off. Without this connection, it would be much more difficult for a dehu to operate efficiently and stay in service in an animal care facility that includes grooming, much less provide the significant health benefits provided by lowering PM and moisture in the air.
The common complaint at trade shows about dehus operating without air purifiers connected was the freezing up of the unit in the grooming environment as well as acquiring dehus that had very limited water removal capacities without an automatic water expulsion feature.
Take your time, study, and make a choice that fully meets the needs of your business and its operation requirements.
Till Next Time,
-The Professor