4 Types of Dehumidifier Water Removal Options

Warehouse dehumidifier efficient

After reading this article, I believe you can choose the most suitable drainage method according to your actual situation.

Most dehumidifiers on the market come with drainage hoses. The condensate water is drained through the hose and needs to be collected in a water bucket, which must be emptied regularly to prevent overflow. For industrial dehumidifiers with high dehumidification capacity, a large-capacity water bucket is necessary.

This drainage method is simple and cost-effective for small warehouses or spaces with low dehumidification requirements, as it eliminates the need for installing drainage systems.

However, if you don’t use the dehumidifier for a long time, remember to clean the hose to prevent bacterial growth and blockage, which can attract insects and spiders. This could prevent condensate water from draining properly when you use the dehumidifier again.

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Figure 1 – Bucket to Catch Water

The GetJoeAir water tank series dehumidifiers come with an internal water tank, suitable for small and crowded spaces. This dehumidifier has a built-in water full reminder setting, eliminating the need to regularly check the drainage water level like dehumidifiers with drainage hoses.

When the dehumidifier prompts a water full alarm, it automatically stops dehumidifying, regardless of whether the humidity has reached the target level. There will be no new condensate water flowing into the water tank at that time.

Additionally, it can be easily converted into an external drainage pipe mode, providing two drainage modes, which is very convenient.

Water Tank Dehumidifier
Figure 2 Water Tank Dehumidifier

Install the drainage system inside the warehouse in advance, and the water will flow directly to the company’s reservoir through the pipe. This method is recommended for large warehouses or spaces using a large number of dehumidifiers.

The dehumidifier’s drainage system needs to be arranged by your company’s professional engineers in advance, considering factors like water flow direction and the length of pipes, to ensure that water collected from the dehumidifier can smoothly flow into the company’s reservoir. Here, we briefly outline some precautions, but specific arrangements should be confirmed with your company’s engineers.

Water Line Arrangement
Figure 3 – Water Line Arrangement
  • The position of the water pipes for multiple industrial dehumidifiers must be at least 20cm lower than the height of the hoses, or they can be flush with the ground to prevent water from flowing back into the dehumidifier and causing malfunctions.
  • The internal drainage system of the warehouse needs to slope towards the reservoir, and having a certain downward angle will facilitate the smooth flow of water along the pipes.

The principle of water pump drainage is that the condensate water discharged by the dehumidifier is pressurized by the motor in the water pump, and then the water is pumped to a higher position than the dehumidifier. If your dehumidifier is positioned lower than the ground, then you should consider using a dehumidifier with a built-in water pump.

The general use cases of water pumps can be divided into the following two types:

When purchasing a dehumidifier, make sure to choose one with a built-in water pump. This allows the condensate water to enter the dehumidifier’s internal pump, which typically has a lift of around 5-6 meters, enabling the water to be pumped to a level higher than the dehumidifier itself.

  • For single-unit dehumidifier usage, especially in basements dealing with water damage.
  • When it’s impractical to install water pipes on the ground, such as in a warehouse where the floor layout is already completed, you can install the drainage pipe on top of the dehumidifier. This pipe can pass through the top of the shelves and connect to the water reservoir.
Dehumidifier With Pump
Figure 4 – Dehumidifier With Pump

If your dehumidification area is large and located below ground level, you can install a small indoor reservoir and use a large pump to collect water discharged by multiple dehumidifiers and pump it into a larger reservoir on the ground surface.

Please note that you will need separate condensate pumps for each dehumidifier, and the specific pump model and setup should be determined and installed by local professional engineers after calculation.

Water collection methodAdvantagesDisadvantages

Bucket Collection

Low cost, simple operation without the need for professional installation.

1) Having to arrange for workers to pour water every day increases the workload.
2) If the water bucket overflows, it will require cleaning the floor, which may lead to economic losses for the warehouse.

Internal Water Tank

Avoids the hassle of frequent emptying and risk of overflow.
1) Regularly emptying the water is necessary; otherwise, the dehumidifier will stop working.
2) Forgetting to empty the water will gradually raise the indoor humidity.

Internal Water Tank

Eliminates the need for daily manual emptying,
collected condensate can be reused.

Requires advance planning and professional installation of drainage system, higher upfront cost.

External Drainage Route

Avoids the hassle of frequent emptying and the risk of overflow.

Flexible drainage can pump water to locations above the dehumidifier.

You cannot extend the length of the hose on your own. The main reasons are as follows:

  1. A long drainage hose is prone to blockages, which can cause water to flow back into the dehumidifier, leading to overflow and potential damage.
  2. Longer hoses are more likely to harbor bacteria, which can contaminate your warehouse.

Therefore, please use the original hose provided with the dehumidifier and do not attempt to replace it.

The following are examples of incorrect operations. Please do not imitate them.

Wrong case
Figure 5 – Wrong case

The water discharged from the dehumidifier can be reused. Although the water from the dehumidifier is relatively clean, it comes into contact with industrial-grade materials during the condensation process and may contain bacteria, dust, and other impurities from the air. Therefore, it cannot be used for drinking purposes. However, it can be used for watering plants, washing cars, and other non-potable water purposes, helping to conserve water resources.

Please consider the space and specific operational requirements when selecting the most suitable drainage method among the four options for the dehumidifier. Design a reasonable drainage solution. Additionally, adhere to correct installation and maintenance procedures to ensure the proper operation of the dehumidifier.

Finally, please make every effort to conserve water resources by reusing the water collected by the dehumidifier.

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