Humidity control at universities and higher education

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Benefits

Humidity control is beneficial in many ways across a university estate

Optimal conditions for research

Humidity control plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of materials and processes.

Healthy conditions for students and staff

Proper levels of humidity protect respiratory health and prevent airborne cross-infection.

Ideal atmosphere for preservation

Archives, libraries and museums all contain valuable materials that are sensitve to moisture.

Universities and higher education

Benefits Top of page Use cases References FAQs

Humidification for universities and higher education

University courses cover a hugely diverse range of industry sectors. So, when the subject being taught deals with materials that are affected by humidity, specialist environmental control is needed.

Medical schools will have MRI scanners that need around 50%RH for accurate imaging. Research labs will need to maintain humidity levels for the processes being undertaken. Veterinary departments will need to maintain humidity in line with the requirements of the animals in question. Photographic facilities need to protect sensitive films and prevent unwanted evaporation of chemicals. Music centres will need to provide environments that protect the integrity of wooden instruments.

Proper humidification in university buildings supports flexible academic use and meets the diverse needs of various faculties. Condair provides advice and engineering support to universities of all sizes to help them maintain the ideal humidity levels no matter what process is being undertaken.

Dehumidification and dehumidifiers for university estates

Excess humidity can cause mould and mildew, which can damage a building’s fabric, make conditions unhealthy for occupants or harm materials and furniture. A university estate often has historic buildings where it can be difficult to control the internal humidity. Archives and storage areas often need proactive dehumidification to preserve historic or valuable assets.

Many fields of study involve materials or processes that need consistently low humidity. These include food or life sciences, electronics, and art conservation and museum studies.

Dehumidification can be applied locally with the use of in-room dehumidifiers or centrally in an air handling unit that treats the air across a building. Condair offers a range of dehumidifiers across condensing or desiccant technologies to help the university facility manager maintain the ideal humidity for any application.

Humidity for human health

The ideal indoor humidity for human health is 40-60%RH. At this level the human respiratory system combats airborne infection more easily and fewer infectious viruses remain airborne. This not only ensures a healthy environment for students but will reduce staff absenteeism and improve operational efficiency.

Lecture halls and office environments bring people together in close proximity so maintaining an environment that mitigates airborne respiratory infection is vital.

A mid-range humidity also helps prevent issues with dry eyes, itchy skin and dehydration, which can all impact an individual’s concentration levels and ability to learn.

Use cases

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Projects and references

Hochschule HFF

Condair hybrid humidifiers deliver precise, hygienic humidity control at Munich‚the HFF University of Television and Film, ensuring comfort and ideal indoor conditions.

University of Television and Film (HFF), Munich - Germany

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Switzerland

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich is probably the best-known university in Switzerland and secures one of the top positions in the global ranking of universities on a regular basis. Founded in 1855 as the Swiss Federal Polytechnic, ETH is primarily dedicated to the technical, mathematical and scientific fields. Condair steam humidifiers ensure healthy and comfortable air humidity in the labs and classrooms.

ETH Zürich, Switzerland

Cern, Meyrin (Geneva), Switzerland

CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is a leading institution in modern physics and nuclear research. It attracts international scientists and engineers to explore the fundamental properties of the universe, notably through its Large Hadron Collider, where atoms are accelerated to nearly the speed of light and collide.

Visitors to CERN can gain engaging insights into particle physics at the Globe of Science and Innovation. This interactive exhibit offers a deeper understanding of CERN's fascinating research projects, while our Condair RS steam humidifiers ensure optimal air moisture levels for a comfortable experience.

Cern Nuclear Research

Harvard University

Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, established 1636. Its history, influence and wealth have made it one of the most prestigious universities in the world.Condair RS steam humidifiers are helping maintain the ideal indoor humidity at Harvard University.

Cambridge University, UK

The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209 and is the world's third-oldest university in continous operation. The university includes 31 semi-autonomous constituent colleges and over 150 academic departments, faculties, and other institutions organised into six schools. Condair humidification systems are used in many buildings at The University of Cambridge across research, healthcare and heritage areas, as well as for animal and human health purposes.

University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1582, is the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's ancient universities. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city of Edinburgh, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university.Condair is proud to be supporting the University of Edinburgh across various facilities with electric steam and evaporative humidifiers.

Australia Antarctic Division

The Australian Antarctic Division's headquarters near Hobart houses Australia's national Antarctic program research efforts. The Program is highly collaborative, with partnerships across government and more than 150 national and international research institutions. These agencies employ more than 800 scientists and technical staff, making Hobart the world's largest centre of cold climate expertise and research. These institutions also support the development of approximately 150 postgraduate students, who will become the next generation of Antarctic scientific researchers.

National Art School

The National Art School, is a tertiary level art school based in Sydney, Australia. The School is an accredited Higher Education Provider offering specialised study in studio arts practice with study offered at a range of levels in various studio disciplines. The Condair CP3 steam humidifier is helping to maintain the ideal internal humidity in the school.

The University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide is a public university in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia.

The University of Queensland

The University of Queensland, commonly referred to as UQ, is an Australian public research university primarily located in Queensland's capital city, Brisbane. Condair humidification systems are helping maintain the humidity in one of Australia's oldest, most selective and comprehensive university.

Frequently asked questions

How can humidifier energy use across a university estate be minimised?

Energy use can be minimised through the use of lower energy systems, such as cold water humidifiers, particularly if waste heat can be used for pre-heating. Alternatively, hours of operation can be reviewed to ensure humidity is only applied when needed. Seasonal variation of set-points can also help, so humidity levels are allowed to drop lower during the winter than the summer. Lastly humidity recovery units can reduce the overall load or the use of more accurate humidifiers can reduce operating times.

What decarbonisation strategies are available for humidity control?

Which dehumidifier has the lowest energy consumption?

As a general rule-of-thumb, condensing dehumidifiers will consume around 0.5-1.5kW of electricity to remove 1kg of moisture. A desiccant dehumidifier will need 1-3kW of electricity per kg of moisture. However, if effective heat recovery systems are used on the desiccant unit, it can deliver dehumidification at around the same level of energy than a condensing dehumidifier.

Get free expert advice

If you want to explore your options for humidity control, Condair's expert sales engineers will visit your site, review your project and talk you through their recommendations.

Alternatively, if you would prefer a call or online meeting, our team are always happy to discuss possible solutions and offer free technical advice.

Talk to your local expert

Humidity control systems often used in universities

Condair ME

The Condair ME provides low energy humidification and evaporative cooling to an air handling unit or duct. A single unit can provide up to 1,080kg/hr of humidification and 740kW of evaporative cooling to an air stream while operating on less than 1kW of electricity. This system is designed with advanced hygiene technologies, including aerosol-free humidity control and optional UV water treatment.

Condair RS

Innovative scale management removes the separated minerals from the steam cylinder during operation and automatically conveys them into the designated scale collecting tank. Scale deposits are thus continuously removed from the steam cylinder.

Condair DC

Condair industrial dehumidifiers are used in a wide range of applications across the industrial, commercial, and warehousing sectors. They operate on a refrigerant circuit system and are typically applied in areas that require relative humidity as low as 45 % RH.

Condair DA

Condair DA desiccant dryers are designed for applications requiring extremely low humidity, such as in sensitive industrial manufacturing processes, and for environments with very low temperatures or where precise moisture control is essential.

Condair PureHum 1000 Pro

The Condair PureHum 1000 Pro is a high-performance humidifier and air purifier designed for large indoor spaces. It delivers precise humidity control while filtering out dust, allergens, and pollutants, creating a healthier and more comfortable environment. With ultra-quiet operation, energy-efficient performance, and minimal maintenance, it’s ideal for offices, museums, and art galleries.

Evolution D165

Compact, reliable dehumidifier for use in archives, hobby rooms and basements. Mobile, plug-and-play design with energy-efficient hot gas defrosting ensures economical operation even at low temperatures. Built-in hygrostat allows precise humidity control or continuous operation. Condensate tank or direct drain option. Eco-friendly natural R290 refrigerant.