Buying a Dehumidifier for Greenhouse with 7 Factors Consider
If you're new or experienced in growing cannabis, knowing the importance of ideal humidity for healthy plants is essential. Keep in mind that excess moisture can cause mold and harm your crop. A greenhouse dehumidifier manages humidity levels, but selecting the right one from various choices can be challenging.
Today, we will explore how dehumidifiers can assist cannabis cultivators in maintaining optimal greenhouse conditions. We will highlight their benefits and critical factors when selecting the most suitable dehumidifier for your cannabis greenhouse.
Understanding Greenhouse Dehumidifiers
A greenhouse dehumidifier is a purpose-built device to remove surplus moisture from the air within a greenhouse. Factors like the amount of water used for irrigation, surrounding temperature, and external humidity can cause greenhouse humidity levels to rise rapidly. A dehumidifier helps growers maintain an ideal humidity range of 50-60%, fostering an environment conducive to cannabis plant growth and success.
Why Do Cannabis Growers Need a Dehumidifier for Greenhouse?
Cannabis is a valuable crop that demands considerable time, effort, and investment. Furthermore, it is a delicate plant that needs ideal growing conditions to yield high-quality results.
Cannabis plants are susceptible to humidity-related issues, and excessive dampness can result in mold and mildew, leading to damaged crops. Moreover, this can also trigger pest invasions, such as spider mites and thrips. Cannabis plants breathe through tiny leaf openings known as stomata, which shut when humidity levels get too high. This impairs respiration and may lead to stunted growth or even plant death.
Greenhouse dehumidifiers mitigate these issues by maintaining optimal humidity levels within your greenhouse. They also help prevent crop disease spread. Dehumidifiers are vital for growers, providing consistent and reliable humidity control rather than relying solely on ventilation.
7 Factors to Consider Before Buying a Dehumidifier for Greenhouse
Greenhouse Size
Your greenhouse's size is a crucial consideration when selecting a dehumidifier. Ensure the dehumidifier you choose can adequately handle your greenhouse's dimensions. A little dehumidifier will not effectively lower humidity levels, while an oversized one wastes energy and money. Determine your greenhouse's square footage and select a suitable dehumidifier.
Humidity Levels in Your Area
Consider the humidity levels in your area when buying a greenhouse dehumidifier.
Damp climates need stronger dehumidifiers than dry ones. Knowing the humidity levels in your grow room's location helps you choose the suitable unit. Also, consider buying a hygrometer to track greenhouse humidity and make adjustments as necessary.
The Type of Plant You are Growing
The plants you're growing in your greenhouse significantly impact the choice of a dehumidifier.
Since cannabis is a susceptible plant to changes in humidity, it is essential to have a dehumidifier that can maintain a steady humidity level.
Dehumidifier Noise Level
When choosing a greenhouse dehumidifier, consider its noise output. If you spend considerable time in your greenhouse, a loud dehumidifier may be disruptive and distracting. Opt for a dehumidifier with a lower decibel rating or a "whisper-quiet" function to minimize noise. Moreover, placing the dehumidifier in a separate space or behind a partition can decrease noise levels, resulting in a more pleasant working environment.
Energy Efficiency and Costs
Beyond functionality, energy efficiency and cost are vital factors when selecting a greenhouse dehumidifier. While the initial expense of a dehumidifier might be steep, an energy-efficient model can yield long-term savings by cutting energy bills. Remember to evaluate the unit's initial price, anticipated lifespan, and maintenance expenses to ensure you're making a wise investment.
User-friendliness
Pick a simple dehumidifier featuring convenient elements like LED displays, touch controls, and easy-to-replace filters.
Dehumidifier Varieties
Numerous dehumidifier types can make choosing one tough. To assist you, here's a quick summary of standard dehumidifier options.
Portable Dehumidifiers
Portable dehumidifiers are a popular choice for cannabis growers who operate small to medium-sized grow rooms. These units are easy to move around and can be positioned wherever needed to manage humidity best. Portable dehumidifiers with 70-point capacities or higher are typically recommended for cannabis growers.
Whole House Dehumidifiers
Whole house dehumidifiers are larger, more powerful units designed to handle large areas, like an entire basement or greenhouse. For cannabis growers, a whole-house dehumidifier may be used to keep the humidity levels in check in a giant greenhouse or multiple grow rooms. These units can handle humidity levels up to 90% and are more significant.
Desiccant Dehumidifiers
Desiccant dehumidifiers can remove large amounts of moisture from the air, making them a popular choice for cannabis growers. These units absorb moisture onto a desiccant material, which is then heated to release the water as vapor. Desiccant dehumidifiers can operate at colder temperatures than refrigerant-based systems and are ideal for complicated cannabis greenhouses.
Refrigerant Dehumidifier for Greenhouse
Refrigerant dehumidifiers cool the air to remove excess moisture, similar to how portable air conditioners function. While more expensive than desiccant dehumidifiers, they are more efficient at removing humidity from the air. As a result, refrigerant dehumidifiers are particularly useful for warmer cannabis greenhouses.
Low-Grain Refrigerant Dehumidifiers
Low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers are a type of refrigerant dehumidifier that is tailored for use in highly humid environments. These units work by cooling the air and then reheating it before releasing it into the atmosphere, effectively reducing the air's moisture. Low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers are ideal for cannabis growers regularly facing high-humidity conditions.
Ventilation Dehumidifiers
Ventilation dehumidifiers are portable dehumidifiers that work by drawing in moist air and exhausting dry air. These units are designed to work with a ventilation system to remove excess moisture from the air effectively. Ventilation dehumidifiers are ideal for small- to medium-sized grow rooms.
Whole House Ventilation Dehumidifiers
Like whole-house dehumidifiers, whole-house ventilation dehumidifiers are designed to operate throughout the entire house or greenhouse. These units use a combination of exhaust fans and ventilation ducts to remove excess moisture from the air. Whole-house ventilation dehumidifiers are ideal for large cannabis greenhouses or multiple grow rooms.
Commercial Dehumidifier for Greenhouse
For more prominent commercial cannabis growing operations, commercial dehumidifiers are highly recommended. These units can manage expansive indoor environments and handle much higher humidity than portable units. Commercial dehumidifiers are typically more expensive than other dehumidifiers, but they're a worthwhile investment for more extensive growing operations.
Wall-Mounted Dehumidifiers
Wall-mounted dehumidifiers are designed to be permanently installed in a cannabis growing room or greenhouse. Wall-mounted dehumidifiers are popular among cannabis growers because they can remove excess moisture from the air and operate automatically and effectively. They benefit growers who need to maintain a consistent and optimal crop environment.
Humidistat-Enabled Dehumidifiers
Many dehumidifiers are equipped with built-in humidistats, enabling growers to control the humidity levels in their growing environment precisely. Humidistat-enabled dehumidifiers are highly recommended for cannabis growers who must maintain a consistent humidity level for optimal plant growth.
Altaqua Standalone Dehumidifier for Greenhouse
Altaqua's Standalone Dehumidifiers are specially designed for greenhouses.
The medium temperature and humidity are 80F, 60% of design standard conditions are very close to the ideal cannabis growth environment, and the daily operation has prominent dehumidification ability.
It is the perfect solution for greenhouses to solve humidity. Humid air can be handled at lower temperatures. In addition, our units have three installation methods: floor mounting, ceiling mounting, and ducting.
Benefits of Using a Dehumidifier for Cannabis Growers
Incorporating a dehumidifier in your greenhouse helps maintain optimal humidity levels for your plants, ensuring their healthy growth and minimizing the risk of mold or fungal damage.
Control Humidity Level
Humidity is a critical factor that directly affects cannabis growth and yield. Elevated humidity levels in a greenhouse can negatively impact plant development, resulting in fungal infections and other issues. Conversely, excessive humidity increases water consumption and reduces the plant's nutrient absorption capacity. Using a dehumidifier, cannabis cultivators can manage humidity levels in the greenhouse, promoting ideal plant growth and minimizing potential problems.
Lower Energy Costs
Cannabis cultivators must control temperature and humidity levels within the greenhouse, which demands energy. With a dehumidifier, growers can decrease energy usage and costs while maintaining optimal growing conditions. Additionally, dehumidifiers are generally more energy-efficient than other cooling systems, making them a cost-effective choice in the long term.
Prevent Mold Growth
Mold is a common problem in greenhouses, especially those with high humidity. Mold can contaminate cannabis plants, resulting in reduced yield and quality. A dehumidifier can prevent mold growth by lowering humidity levels and creating an ideal environment for cannabis to grow.
Improve Air Quality
Elevated humidity within greenhouses can result in subpar air quality, potentially causing respiratory issues for cannabis cultivators and workers. A dehumidifier can improve air quality by lowering humidity and removing excess moisture.
Improve Yield and Quality
Optimal humidity levels are critical to ensuring maximum yields and quality cannabis crops. By using a dehumidifier, cannabis growers can create an ideal growing environment that promotes plant growth, resulting in higher yields and a better quality crop.
Extended Growing Season
Dehumidifiers can help growers extend the growing season by controlling humidity levels and temperature inside the greenhouse. By creating the ideal environment for cannabis growth, growers can grow crops year-round, increasing profits.
Reduce Pests and Diseases
High humidity in a greenhouse can attract pests and increase disease risk. Using a dehumidifier, growers can prevent problems and diseases by reducing humidity, preventing mold growth, and promoting healthy cannabis growth.
Maintain Optimal Temperature
Dehumidifiers help control humidity and maintain optimal greenhouse temperatures. They also remove excess moisture, making managing temperature easier and creating ideal cannabis growing conditions.
Reduced Risk of Crop Loss
Cannabis cultivators invest substantial time, effort, and resources into their crops; however, elevated humidity levels can jeopardize their investment. In addition, excess moisture in the air can cause complications like mold development, pest invasions, and other problems that can harm or even wipe out the plants. Therefore, growers must adopt appropriate humidity control methods, such as dehumidifiers, to safeguard their crops and guarantee optimal growth and output. With a dehumidifier, growers can minimize crop damage risks and secure investment.
Create a Comfortable Working Environment
Cannabis growers spend a lot of time working in greenhouses. However, high humidity can make work uncomfortable and unsafe. A dehumidifier can help cannabis growers create a safe and comfortable working environment, increasing productivity and job satisfaction among growers and workers.
How to Implement a Dehumidifier in a Cannabis Greenhouse
First, you need to identify the ideal humidity level for your cannabis plants.
Based on this level, adjust your dehumidifier to maintain the appropriate humidity.
Maintain your dehumidifier regularly for optimal performance
Consistent cleaning and maintenance are essential for ensuring your dehumidifier operates efficiently. This involves cleaning the filter, emptying the water reservoir, and routinely inspecting the drainage system.
Other Ways to Ensure Optimal Growing Conditions in Your Cannabis Greenhouse
Besides using a dehumidifier, other actions can help maintain the health of your cannabis plants. These include regular watering, temperature monitoring, quality light, and proper ventilation.
Conclusion
To sum up, dehumidifiers are a useful and indispensable tool for cannabis growers to control humidity levels in their grow rooms.
Selecting a dehumidifier requires considering size, price, and energy efficiency. This ensures you find the best unit for your needs. First, determine the perfect humidity level for your cannabis plants. Then, set your dehumidifier to keep the humidity at the desired level.
FAQ
1. Can you put a dehumidifier in a greenhouse?
Yes, you can place a dehumidifier in a greenhouse. It helps control humidity levels, which is crucial for plant health. High humidity can lead to issues like mold and fungal growth, which can severely affect plant health.
2. Do you need a dehumidifier in a greenhouse?
Whether you need a dehumidifier in a greenhouse depends on the climate and the type of plants you are growing. Some plants thrive in high humidity, while others need drier conditions. If you're struggling with high humidity that's causing plant diseases, a dehumidifier could be beneficial.
3. How do you dehumidify a greenhouse?
Dehumidifying a greenhouse can be accomplished through various methods, including using a dehumidifier, improving ventilation, or using moisture-absorbing plants and materials. Regular monitoring of humidity levels can also help in maintaining optimal conditions.