This is the 5th article in a continuing series of subjects concerning challenges faced by pet groomers in day-to-day operations of most pet care grooming operations. Our last posting covered the final chapter on the use, selection, and importance of a dehumidifier in a successful and growth-positive pet grooming operation, whether operating as a stand-alone grooming salon, a self-wash grooming establishment, an additional service offered by a vet clinic, or any other business model that additionally offers bathing, grooming or other pet care services.
Before we begin this new series of articles centered on the operation, selection and advantages of air purifiers/air scrubbers as the key component in solving health, safety and comfort challenges faced in today’s pet grooming environment, some old business concerning our first four articles on dehus need addressing. Comments from readers were positive. However, the depth of our subject left some of you a bit unclear as to the key criteria one should consider in selecting the right dehu overall.
For this reason, the inclusion of a rating system that identifies the most important criteria for grooming professionals to consider will now be included at the end of each segment. When equipment types are being discussed, we will use the “SEES” model, which has been used in preparation and research of the targeted equipment type. With an emphasis on health, safety and comfort issues in the pet grooming profession, SEES (Salon Equipment Evaluation Standard) was developed as a guide to follow that offers an orderly, comprehensive approach to the subject material that ensures a detailed presentation in a clear, even-handed way in language understandable by all those interested in learning pertinent issues relating to the pet grooming work environment.
For dehumidifiers, the SEES standards developed and considered to be most important for selection are as follows:
- Water removal in pints per day = 75 at AHAM (60% RH – 80°F). Needs to handle high levels of water added to air during animal drying.
- Unit should be easily mobile with wheels.
- Water capture reservoir – internal capacity with both automatic and manual H2O pump discharge to provided container, sink or directly outside with vertical pump capability – i.e. hands-free water removal.
- Unit should have a history of good results and durability in a commercial water removal environment, such as approved recognition by the insurance industry for use by restoration companies.
- Parts and service should be available in country of purchase and have adequate safety certification.
- Unit should have a built-in relative humidity room readout and a manual selection to set the desired RH to achieve in your salon.
- Dehu unit chassis should be ruggedly-constructed with tough, reliable materials suitable for commercial use, wear and tear.
- Commercial units should have system-specific software built in for ease of service maintenance and troubleshooting with complete operating instructions.
The criteria outlined above prioritize efficiency, mobility, water capture capabilities, durability, accessibility of parts and services, and intelligent design features. As we transition to our upcoming series on air purifiers/air scrubbers, we remain dedicated to empowering grooming professionals with valuable insights to enhance their daily operations and elevate the standards of pet care services.
Till Next Time,
-The Professor