Application Note 10

Swimming Pool Dehumidifier Sizing

I ntroduction The presence of people in the pool room adds to the space's
moisture content. This factor is negligible for residential pools,
This application note highlights the causes of humidity in pool
but can be significant for pool facilities with spectator seating.
room enclosures and its harmful effects if left uncontrolled. In
addition, a worksheet is included for calculating the moisture
load from both residential and commercial indoor pools.
P roblems with Humidity
C auses of Humidity Air is a gas and, like most gasses, it expands in volume when
heated and contracts in volume when cooled. This expansion or
Indoor pools have three main sources of moisture:
contraction with the changing temperature increases or de-
1. Evaporation of pool water creases the percentage of moisture that the air can hold. In other
2. Outdoor make-up air words, as air expands, its ability to hold moisture increases. With
3. People the same moisture content, the percentage of moisture to air
volume (relative humidity) is reduced when air is heated.
The vapor pressure differences between pool water and air
cause continuous evaporation, producing high humidity Condensation will form on glass surfaces whenever the tempera-
conditions in the pool room. The evaporation rate is a function ture of the glass is below the temperature of the air. When the
of the activity of the pool. If water is calm, there is a known warm air contacts the cool glass it contracts to the point that it
evaporation rate. If people are swimming or playing in the releases excess moisture. The combination of indoor relative
pool, however, the surface area increases (the wave action humidity and indoor/outdoor temperature at which condensation
tends to double the actual pool surface area, and water is will form is shown in Table 1.
spilled onto the deck), which increases the effective evapora-
tion rate. Larger commercial pools must take this factor into High humidity in a pool facility can cause rapid structural
consideration. deterioration and corrosion problems. During the winter
months and on cool summer evenings, outdoor temperatures
During the summer months, outside air entering the pool room may be significantly lower than the indoor air. Warm air retains
through code-required ventilation can increase the moisture moisture, but cooler wall or window surfaces will cause the
content of the indoor air because its humidity content is equal to moisture to condense.
or higher than that of the pool room air. This compounds the
indoor humidity problem.

RELATIVE HUMIDITY AT WHICH MOISTURE WILL CONDENSE ON WINDOWS

Inside Building Temperature (F)
Outside
65 70 75 80
Temp (F)
Single Pane Double Pane Single Pane Double Pane Single Pane Double Pane Single Pane Double Pane
-20 - 46% - 46% - 44% - 42%
-10 - 50% - 49% 21% 48% 20% 46%
0 29% 55% 27% 55% 25% 52% 24% 50%
10 36% 60% 33% 59% 31% 57% 29% 54%
20 43% 66% 40% 63% 37% 62% 35% 59%
30 52% 73% 50% 71% 45% 68% 42% 65%
40 63% 80% 60% 79% 53% 74% 50% 71%

Table 1 - Condensation Chart

 SWIMMING POOL ROOM
Damage to the structure occurs when relative humidity levels
reach 62 percent or above for an extended period of time. HEATING
COIL
Chlorine from pool chemicals reacts with the condensed water to
form hydrochloric acid (HCl), which accelerates the corrosive OUTSIDE AIR WARM / MOIST
SUPPLY EXHAUST AIR
effects on wood and metal surfaces. EVAPORATION

High humidity can also affect the air quality by providing an

excellent environment for bacteria, fungi, and viruses to grow
and multiply. Keeping the relative humidity in the range of 50 to POOL WATER HEATING

60 percent will reduce the number and activity of these organ-

isms. Figure 2 - Make-up/Exhaust Method

Finally, high humidity is uncomfortable for those using the pool

room. the sensible heat from the exiting air and exchanges it to the
incoming air. This partially reduces the energy loss; however, the
SWIMMING POOL ROOM largest energy loss comes from the energy required to heat the
pool water.
COOL
OUTSIDE
AIR A method that has the advantage of recovering all of the heat
CONDENSATION (latent and sensible) is refrigerant dehumidification. The warm,
moist air is condensed and cooled at a dehumidifier coil,
EVAPORATION transferring all of the energy to a refrigerant. The recovered
energy can be given back to the air stream at the reheat coil
in the form of sensible heat, thus recovering almost 100
percent of the energy (refer to Figure 3). This heat is returned
to the pool room environment, maintaining the appropriate air
POOL WATER HEATING temperature. Additional heating is required only to compensate
for heat loss through the windows and walls. Other dehumidifier
Figure 1 - Condensation Problem designs offer alternate heat sinks, such as a water-cooled heat
exchanger to heat the pool water in addition to the air. A third
alternative is a remote condenser which transfers the heat
E limination of Humidity outdoors to provide summertime cooling in the pool enclosure.

Several different techniques can be used to reduce humidity in

the pool room. The most common technique is the make-up air C alculation of Moisture Load
exhaust method (refer to Figure 2). Warm moist air is exhausted
The following table indicates the generally accepted design
to the outdoors, while outside air (which normally has a lower
temperatures for pool water. Air temperatures should be
moisture content) is brought in as make-up air. When this make-
maintained 2F to 4F higher than water temperatures to keep
up air is heated, the effective relative humidity of the outside air
evaporation to a minimum. The exception is a whirlpool, where
is reduced. Two problems are associated with this method. First,
air temperatures should be 78F to 86F.
heat energy is lost when the warm indoor air is discharged
outside. Second, during the summer months the outside air may
DESIGN TEMPERATURES FOR SWIMMING POOLS
have a higher humidity than the indoor air, thus actually
Residential 82F to 84F
increasing indoor humidity.
Exercise or Lap Pools 76F to 80F
When the pool water evaporates, significant energy is expended. Hotel/Motel 80F to 84F
This energy, known as latent heat, is replaced by the pool water Public/Institutional 78F to 80F
heater. Another source of energy expenditure in the pool
Therapeutic 86F to 95F
enclosure results from heating the make-up air. This is known as
Whirlpools 102F to 104F
sensible heat. A method of addressing the lost energy is to add a
heat recovery unit to the exhaust system. This technique takes Table 2 - Design Temperatures
 APPLICATION NOTE 10
Swimming Pool Dehumidifier Sizing

SWIMMING POOL ROOM

RETURN AIR DUCT ( WARM , HUMID AIR )

DEHUMIDIFIER

DRY AIR
AIR EVAPORATION
HEATING

SUPPLY
POOL WATER HEATING AIR DUCT

Figure 3 - Dehumidification Schematic

Evaporative loss formulas and derivations are beyond the scope be that area occupied by persons viewing a swimming event.
of this application note. Desert Aire uses the latest information If the number of seats cannot be determined, then the
from the U.S. Department of Energy to figure evaporation rates. estimated maximum occupant load is 150 people per 1000
The government’s latest computer simulation uses a vapor square feet. If the pool and deck occupy only a small portion
pressure differential-based formula. Using those formulas, the of a larger area, the larger area is not considered spectator
table below (Table 3) lists the evaporation rate of still water per and deck area and therefore requires no additional ventilation
square foot of pool area. The difference between still and air. Refer to Desert Aire Technical Bulletin No. 5 for additional
active water is accounted for in the worksheet through the use information on ventilation air for indoor commercial pools.
of an activity factor of 1.5. This factor determines the evapora-
tion multiplier required to compensate the table value. The final make-up air volume contains a specific moisture
content based on the geographic region in which the pool is
The ventilation air required for commercial pools is governed by located. Table 4 on the next page shows approximate
the ASHRAE and BOCA code of 0.5 CFM per square foot of pool guidelines for moisture content. This table was derived by
and deck area plus 15 CFM per person in spectator areas. taking the moisture difference between mean July outside air
Although the codes do not define “deck area,” it is generally moisture content (see Table 5) and an indoor design of 82F
accepted to be the tile or concrete area of six to eight feet DB, at 50% RH and at 60% RH. A more detailed analysis can
surrounding the pool. “Spectator area” is generally accepted to be done by the dehumidifier manufacturer.

EVAPORATION RATE IN LB./HR PER SQ. FT. OF SURFACE AREA

Temp (F)
76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 102 104
Water

Air 50% 60% 50% 60% 50% 60% 50% 60% 50% 60% 50% 60% 50% 60% 50% 60% 50% 60% 50% 60%

72 .0341 .0288 .0383 .0330 .0427 .0421 .0474 .0421 .0523 .0470 .0574 .0521 .0630 .0577 .0688 .0635 .1112 .1059 .1196 .1143

74 .0323 .0266 .0364 .0307 .0408 .0399 .0455 .0399 .0504 .0448 .0556 .0499 .0611 .0555 .0670 .0613 .1093 .1036 .1178 .1121

76 .0303 .0242 .0345 .0294 .0389 .0375 .0436 .0375 .0485 .0424 .0536 .0476 .0592 .0531 .0650 .0590 .1074 .1013 .1158 .1097

78 .0282 .0218 .0324 .0259 .0368 .0350 .0415 .0350 .0464 .0399 .0515 .0451 .0571 .0506 .0629 .0565 .1053 .0988 .1137 .1072

80 .0260 .0191 .0302 .0233 .0346 .0324 .0393 .0324 .0442 .0373 .0494 .0424 .0549 .0480 .0607 .0538 .1031 .0962 .1115 .1046

82 .0237 .0163 .0279 .0205 .0323 .0296 .0370 .0296 .0419 .0345 .0470 .0396 .0526 .0452 .0584 .0510 .1008 .0934 .1092 .1018

84 .0212 .0134 .0254 .0175 .0289 .0266 .0345 .0266 .0394 .0315 .0446 .0367 .0501 .0422 .0559 .0481 .0983 .0904 .1067 .0989

86 .0186 .0102 .0228 .0144 .0272 .0235 .0319 .0235 .0368 .0284 .0420 .0336 .0475 .0391 .0533 .0449 .0957 .0873 .1041 .0957

88 .0169 .0069 .0210 .0111 .0354 .0202 .0301 .0202 .0350 .0251 .0402 .0302 .0457 .0358 .0516 .0416 .0939 .0840 .1024 .0924

90 .0130 .0034 .0171 .0076 .0215 .0167 .0262 .0167 .0311 .0216 .0363 .0268 .0418 .0323 .0477 .0381 .0900 .0805 .0985 .0889

92 .0099 .0002 .0141 .0039 .0185 .0130 .0232 .0130 .0281 .0179 .0332 .0231 .0388 .0286 .0446 .0345 .0870 .0768 .0954 .0852

Table 3 - Evaporation Rates of Still Water at Sea Level (Using U.S. Department of Energy Simulation Method)
C onclusion INSIDE AIR MOISTURE CONTENT
Grains
Commercial pool enclosures must account for all three humidity
Inside Temp (F) 50% RH 60% RH
factors: pool water evaporation, make-up air, and the presence of
72 59 71
people. The dehumidifier will utilize inactive times to catch up on
moisture removal. Generally, the dehumidifier will be able to 74 62 75

maintain a 60% RH during active periods, and a 50% RH during 76 68 81

inactive times. Residential pools do not have the make-up air 78 72 86
loads nor the people loads of commercial pools, thus their 80 77 92
moisture calculations are based on evaporation content only. 82 82 96
84 88 106
The enclosed worksheet will assist in the calculation of moisture
86 93 113
load. Many approximations are used to condense
88 100 120
the calculations to simple mathematical relationships. For
90 106 128
assistance in selecting the correct dehumidifier, please
consult your local DESERT AIRE representative or the factory. Table 4 - Moisture Content Guidelines

OUTSIDE A IR MOISTURE CONTENT TO B E REMOVED

Ci t y Gr. Ci t y Gr. Ci t y Gr. Ci t y Gr.
AK Anchorage 51 LA New Orleans 122 OH Columbus 83 WA Yakima 52
Birmingham 107 MA Boston 80 Oklahoma City 101 Green Bay 74
AL OK
Mobile 124 MD Baltimore 91 Tulsa 113 WI LaCrosee 86
AR Little Rock 112 ME Portland 72 Eugene 61 Milwaukee 80
AZ Phoenix 75 Detroit 75 OR Medford 60 WV Charleston 96
MI
Long Beach 79 Grand Rapids 77 Portland 61 WY Casper 54
Los Angeles 81 Duluth 65 Philadephia 91
MN CA NA DA
Sacramento 66 Minneapolis 80 PA Pittsburg 76
CA
San Diego 76 Kansas City 103 Scranton 78 AL Calgary 56
MO
San Francisco 61 St. Louis 103 RI Providence 83 BC Vancouver 59
Stockton 62 MS Jackson 119 Charleston 119 MN Winnipeg 77
SC
CO Denver 60 MT Billings 56 Greenville 106 NB Moncton 72
CT Hartford 79 Charlotte 105 SD Sioux Falls 80 NF St. John’s 72
NC
DC Washington 94 Greensboro 100 Chattanooga 106 NS Halifax 72
Jacksonville 113 ND Fargo 77 Knoxville 103 Ottawa 71
TN ON
Miami 122 NE Omaha 96 Memphis 110 Toronto 74
FL
Orlando 124 NH Concord 74 Nashville 107 PQ Montreal 70
Tampa 126 Atlantic City 92 Austin 124
NH
GA Atlanta 106 Newark 84 Brownsville 122
HI Honolulu 97 NM Albuquerque 64 TX Dallas 114
Des Moines 95 Las Vegas 45 Houston 125
IA NV
Dubuque 80 Reno 42 Lubbock 89
ID Boise 49 Albany 77 UT Salt Lake City 51
Chicago O’Hare 83 Buffalo 74 Norfolk 97
IL Peoria 92 NY LaGuardia AP 80 VA Richmond 98
Rockford 84 Rochester 76 Roanoke 88
IN Indianapolis 94 Syracuse 78 VT Burlington 70
KS Wichita 98 Cincinnati 90 Seattle 59
OH WA
KY Louisville 97 Cleveland 77 Spokane 47

Table 5 - Geographics Outdoor Design Criteria (Based on N.O.A.A. Mean Daily Humidity Data for July)
8300 West Sleske Court

Milwaukee, WI 53223

(414) 357-7400

FAX: (414) 357-8501

AN10 1195