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Dry Fog Humidification Systems
Dry fog is water broken into droplets so small, about 4.2 microns in Smart Fog’s systems, that they evaporate in the air before they can land and wet anything. It lets you add a lot of humidity without puddles, drips or damp surfaces.
High Humidity Without Wet Surfaces
Because nothing is boiled, dry fog adds moisture at a fraction of the energy of steam and absorbs heat as it evaporates rather than adding it.
Ultra-Fine Droplets
Droplets this small evaporate in the air before they can land, so nothing gets wet.
Precise Control
Controls hold humidity within 1 to 2% of setpoint.
No Added Heat
Evaporation absorbs heat, so dry fog does not add heat to the space the way steam does.
Low Energy Use
Each unit uses about 0.4 kW at its full output of 25 lb of water an hour, against roughly 8 kW for an electric steam humidifier.
What Is Dry Fog Humidification?
Dry fog is water broken into droplets so small, about 4.2 microns in Smart Fog’s systems, that they evaporate in the air before they can land and wet anything. It lets you add a lot of humidity without puddles, drips or damp surfaces.
Smart Fog makes dry fog by atomizing water with compressed air at about 100 psi through large, clog-resistant stainless steel nozzles. Because nothing is boiled, each unit uses about 0.4 kW at its full output of 25 lb of water an hour, against roughly 8 kW for an electric steam humidifier. Smart Fog developed and patented its dry fog technology and has more than 40 years in humidification.
Suited to Food Production
Dry fog suits food production areas where humidity must stay high without wetting product, such as bakery coolers and proofing rooms.
From Dry Air to Stable Humidity in Three Steps
Every system is engineered around your space, airflow and humidity targets.
Measure
Humidity sensors monitor your space continuously and tell the system exactly how much moisture to add.
Atomize
Patented Smart Fog nozzles turn water into dry fog. Self-cleaning nozzles keep output consistent with minimal maintenance.
Absorb
The fog evaporates into the air before it reaches any surface, holding relative humidity within ±1-2% of your setpoint.
How Dry Fog Compares With Other Humidifiers
Steam humidifiers boil water and add heat to the space. Ultrasonic units vibrate water into mist and can leave white mineral dust unless fed purified water. High-pressure fog systems pump water through fine nozzles that can clog. Dry fog uses low-pressure compressed air, large nozzles and droplets small enough to evaporate before they land, and it absorbs heat as it evaporates rather than adding it.
Steam, Ultrasonic and High-Pressure Systems
- Steam boils water and adds heat to the space
- Steam uses roughly 8 kW per humidifier
- Ultrasonic can leave white mineral dust unless fed purified water
- High-pressure fog nozzles are fine and can clog
Smart Fog Dry Fog
- Low-pressure compressed air at about 100 psi
- Large, clog-resistant stainless steel nozzles
- Droplets evaporate before they land
- Absorbs heat as it evaporates instead of adding it
- About 0.4 kW at 25 lb of water an hour
Where Dry Fog Humidification Is Used
Spaces where humidity matters but wet surfaces are not an option.
Dry Fog for Data Centers
Data centers need humidity inside ASHRAE’s recommended range, a dew point between -9°C and 15°C (15.8 to 59°F), especially when economizers bring in cold, dry winter air.
Too little moisture raises the risk of electrostatic discharge during hands-on work; too much risks condensation and corrosion.
Dry fog adds moisture inside air handlers or directly in the hall, with no water near equipment.
Because evaporation absorbs heat, dry fog lowers the cooling load slightly as it evaporates.
Dry Fog for Office Buildings
Heated winter air in offices often falls to 20% RH or lower, bringing dry eyes, sore throats and static shocks.
Holding around 40 to 60% RH eases these complaints and reduces static.
Smart Fog systems install in existing air handling units as an AHU humidifier, and connect to building automation over BACnet or Modbus, so retrofits are straightforward.
Dry Fog for Hospitals
Hospitals humidify to meet ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170, which sets 20 to 60% RH for operating rooms and other anesthetizing locations and caps most spaces at 60%.
Dry air also dries eyes, skin and airways for patients and staff.
Dry fog adds moisture through air handlers or in the room, without boilers, steam lines or wet surfaces.
Running on purified water keeps minerals out of the air.
Dry Fog for Museums, Archives and Galleries
Collections suffer most from swings in humidity: wood, paper, canvas and textiles shrink and swell as moisture changes, which leads to cracking, warping and flaking.
Many museums hold a steady target in the 45 to 55% RH range, adjusted to the collection.
Dry fog adds moisture without wetting display cases or surfaces, and controls hold humidity within 1 to 2% of setpoint.
Because it atomizes water with compressed air rather than boiling it, it adds no heat and uses a fraction of the energy of steam.
Choose the Right Dry Fog System
Our engineers size every installation to your space. These are the systems they design with.
ES100 Direct Space Humidifier
Adds dry fog directly into the room for open production floors, warehouses and large spaces.
Explore the ES100 →TS100 In-Duct Humidifier
Integrates with your HVAC system to humidify through existing ductwork.
Explore the TS100 →ES100M Portable Humidifier
A movable unit for temporary areas, changing layouts or targeted problem zones.
Explore the ES100M →MS100 Custom Grid
Engineered nozzle grids for large or complex facilities and special applications.
Explore the MS100 →Dry Fog Humidification Questions
Straight answers to what facility and engineering teams ask us most.
What is dry fog humidification?
Dry fog humidification adds moisture to the air as droplets so fine that they evaporate before they can land on surfaces. It raises relative humidity without wetting floors, products or equipment.
Will dry fog make my equipment or products wet?
No. Because the droplets evaporate in the air, nothing gets wet. That is the core difference between dry fog and spray or misting systems.
How accurately can Smart Fog control humidity?
Smart Fog systems hold relative humidity within ±1-2% of your setpoint, compared with around ±5-10% for many traditional systems.
Does dry fog leave white mineral dust?
No. Smart Fog dry fog operates clean and residue-free, so you do not get the mineral dust deposits common with some other humidifier types.
How much maintenance does a dry fog system need?
Very little. Smart Fog nozzles are self-cleaning, which keeps maintenance low and output consistent.
Which Smart Fog system is right for my facility?
It depends on your space, airflow and humidity targets. In-room (ES100), in-duct (TS100), mobile (ES100M) and custom grid (MS100) systems cover most needs. Talk to an engineer for a sizing recommendation.
Get a Dry Fog System Sized for Your Facility
Tell us about your space and humidity targets. A Smart Fog engineer will recommend the right system, usually within one business day.