What is an LGR dehumidifier?
By Dale @ ukaircontracker · facts checked
Quick answer
An LGR (low grain refrigerant) dehumidifier is a professional compressor dehumidifier that pre-cools incoming air and runs a colder coil than a household unit, so it keeps pulling water out even when the air is already fairly dry. Restoration firms use them to dry flood- and leak-damaged buildings. They are heavy and cost far more than household units, so most homeowners hire one for a drying job rather than buy.
| Feature | Household compressor | Desiccant | LGR (professional) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main use | Damp, condensation, drying laundry | Cold rooms, garages | Drying out after floods and leaks |
| Works best | Warm rooms | Cold rooms | Warm rooms, down to low humidity |
| Weight | Light to moderate | Light | Heavy |
| Usual way to get one | Buy | Buy | Hire, or via a restoration firm |
Geepas 12L Low-Energy Touchscreen Dehumidifier
Photographed listing — tagged buy buttons go to the retailer, not another article.
How LGR differs
A standard compressor dehumidifier cools air over a cold coil and collects the water that condenses. As the room gets drier, there is less moisture to condense and the unit slows down. An LGR unit pre-cools the incoming air and runs a colder coil, so it keeps removing water at lower humidity levels. That matters when drying out plaster, timber and screed after water damage.
Do you need one at home?
For everyday damp, condensation or drying laundry, a household compressor dehumidifier (or a desiccant one for an unheated room) is the right tool. An LGR dehumidifier is for a specific job: drying a building after a flood, burst pipe or leak, often alongside air movers. Insurers frequently arrange this through a restoration company.
Look at the kit — then buy it
Geepas 12L Low-Energy Touchscreen Dehumidifier
Geepas 20L Large Digital Dehumidifier with Laundry Mode
We earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an eBay Partner Network affiliate and an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Links we earn from are marked “affiliate link”. Used and refurbished eBay listings are labelled as such. Full disclosure.
Common questions
- What does LGR stand for in a dehumidifier?
- Low grain refrigerant. 'Grains' are a measure of the moisture in air; an LGR unit can dry air to a lower moisture content than a standard refrigerant (compressor) dehumidifier.
- Is an LGR dehumidifier better for a home?
- Not for everyday use. A household compressor or desiccant dehumidifier suits damp and condensation. LGR units are built for drying buildings after water damage.
- Should I buy or hire an LGR dehumidifier?
- For a one-off drying job, hiring is usually cheaper. Restoration firms bring LGR units and moisture meters and will tell you when the structure is dry.