Humidification Enercase

Natural Gas Humidification of Commercial Building Air

Region of Waterloo controls humidity and costs with a natural gas humidifier

The Region of Waterloo Water Testing Laboratory provides water and other testing for the Municipality. Humidity levels must be maintained to ensure the accurate functioning of the testing equipment, and to provide comfortable working conditions for the more than 25 employees of the facility.

Humidity was provided to the facility by an electric steam generator. Brian Bechtel (see left), Coordinator of Energy Management and Preventative Maintenance for the Municipality of Waterloo, became concerned about the high cost of operating and maintaining the electric unit.

Research was conducted and a DRI-STEEM GTS-300-C gas humidifier was installed (above left). The DRI-STEEM GTS-300-C has an input of 300 Mbtu/hr and a steam output of 225 lbs/hr. The unit was supplied by HTS Engineering and installed by Dynamic Mechanical of Kitchener.

The installation was monitored for one year by H. D. Culham & Associates Ltd., Consulting Engineers. Results were impressive. Operating costs were 64% lower than the electric unit and, other than the usual planned maintenance measures, no additional costs were incurred by the Region in the first two years of operation.

"The DRI-STEEM Humidifier has kept the building very comfortable. The savings have made this project worthwhile," says Bechtel.