Dehumidification (DEHU) rebate opportunities likely exist wherever grow lamp rebates are available. Seinergy has focused on grow lamp incentives, and we mustn’t forget the widespread and abundant potential for DEHU rebates. Incentives are typically $225 – $4,300 cash-back per unit.
Dehumidification units are crucial to indoor, and often greenhouse, success. Plants absorb and transpire water saturating an indoor cultivation climate with moisture. This creates ideal conditions for mold and pathogens. Dehumidification units remove water from the air and reduce plant illness. They control humidity with better efficiency and precision, unlike HVAC systems that primarily regulate temperature.
From an efficiency standpoint, dehumidifiers are measured in how much water they remove per unit of energy. Liters or pints of water removed per kWh is most common. Although energy codes do not usually have minimum standards for DEHUs, ENERGY STAR and some cannabis sustainability platforms have suggested a minimum of 1.9 L/kWh. Units perform as low as 1 liter/kWh, and efficient models, such as Quest, operate between 2 and 3.9 L/kWh.
Just like other equipment, the more efficient models are more expensive. Most cultivators have 2-5 stand-alone units per room, or around 20-50 per midsized facility. Compared to the baseline models, the energy savings from a single efficiency unit –compared to a less efficient unit – could be 2,000 – 10,000 kWh per year. In other words, the energy savings from upgrading a single efficiency DEHU unit, operating 365 days per year, is equivalent to adding solar to 1-2 residential homes.
Industrial dehumidifiers are not new; they are used for pools and exercise facilities, food and beverage manufacturing facilities, and more. However, the consistency and scale in which they are used in the legalized cannabis market has attracted the attention of a variety of energy efficiency programs.
Some utilities are launching prescriptive programs to streamline and standardize the DEHU rebate process. Customers will receive a set price per unit, or L/kWh. Other utilities funnel dehumidifiers through the custom commercial rebate track. Although this requires more custom data analysis on the back end, it generally equates to a $/pint number.
In general, dehumidification rebates are dependent on the utility, installed lighting, growing media, watering regime, and facility, among other things. Seinergy specializes in understanding all CEA rebates, getting an accurate dollar-back estimate, and escorting growers’ projects through the grant process. Remember, pre-approval is required – don’t buy new dehumidifiers until we hear from your utility. How much can you get cash-back? Find out at Seinergy today.
