What Is an LGR Dehumidifier and When Do You Need One?

In restoration, you will hear the term LGR dehumidifier used as the standard for serious drying. LGR stands for low grain refrigerant, and the technology lets these units keep removing water even as the air gets dry. Here is what that means and when you need one.

The Limit of Standard Refrigerant Units

A conventional refrigerant dehumidifier works well when the air is humid, but as the room dries out, the air holds less moisture and the unit removes less water. Eventually a standard unit hits a point where it can barely pull any more moisture, even though materials are still damp.

How LGR Goes Further

An LGR dehumidifier pre cools the incoming air before it reaches the main coils. Cooler air gives up moisture more readily, so the unit can keep condensing water out of air that is already fairly dry. This means LGR units reach lower humidity, measured in lower grains per pound, than standard units.

Why That Matters on a Job

• Drier target air pulls moisture out of materials faster and more completely
• LGR units finish jobs that standard units cannot fully dry
• They are the go to for structural drying where you need a low humidity environment

When to Reach for LGR

1. Standard water damage where you want faster, more complete drying
2. Drying dense materials that release moisture slowly
3. Any job where the air needs to stay very dry to finish

For the coldest conditions and the very lowest humidity, a desiccant dehumidifier goes even further, but LGR covers the majority of restoration drying.

The Restoration Standard

LGR dehumidifiers have become the baseline for professional structural drying because they balance capacity, low grain performance and running cost. If you do restoration work, an LGR unit belongs in your fleet. See our commercial dehumidifiers for restoration grade drying.