What is Convection?

Convection is the term used for the process of transferring heat energy from the air to a solid, liquid, or
other gas. Two other heat transfer processes are radiant and conductance. Conductance is how heat
travels from molecule to molecule through a solid or liquid. The radiant process transfers heat energy
through radiation energy waves. Radiation passes through the air and its energy is released when it
strikes an object.
Convection Drying Systems
As there are two types of dehumidifiers available, there are also two types of convection drying systems.
One type uses air as the heat transport medium (open) and the other uses a fluid as the heat transfer
medium (hydronic). In the liquid systems a furnace heats a fluid which is pumped to heat exchangers
placed in the water damaged structure. The heat exchangers typically have fans and temperature and/or
humidity controls to manage dissipation of heat in a given area. The liquid systems are good at
concentrating heat energy within a section of the building or at several targeted areas. However, they lack
a means of removing evaporated moisture from the structure. A separate exhaust system must be set up
to handle that task.
Air convection drying systems draw in 100% fresh outside air that is heated in an indirect fired furnace. A
blower pushes the hot dry air through flexible duct into the damaged structure. An exhaust system helps
to direct the flow of air through the structure and carries with it evaporated moisture. Because of the air
exchange, air systems purge a building quickly and tend to heat an entire section of a building rather than
a concentrated area. Some air systems control the building temperature by measuring the temperature of
the return air. Air systems can employ layflat or hose splitters to direct air flow to several specific areas.