What Desert Aire does

Desert Aire Corp. is a privately held manufacturer of commercial and industrial refrigeration-based dehumidification systems and Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS), founded in 1978 and headquartered in a 100,000+ sq ft facility in Germantown, Wisconsin. The company engineers purpose-built equipment for seven distinct verticals: large indoor pools/natatoriums, small pools and hospitality, indoor agriculture/CEA (including cannabis drying), water and wastewater treatment facilities, ice rinks, industrial facilities, and DOAS for commercial/institutional buildings. Core product families include SelectAire (standard, Plus, and FLEX variants), ExpertAire (LC/LV/LCP and low-temperature LW), SwimAire, GrowAire/GreenAire/DriCure, and Aura/TotalAire/VerticalAire DOAS units, supported by the AireGuard cloud monitoring platform. Proprietary technologies include a wrap-around heat pipe (SelectAire Plus), the VPDsync control algorithm for CEA, hot gas reheat energy recovery, low-temperature defrost cycles (-20°F to -30°F operation), and BACnet/Modbus/LonWorks building automation integrations.

The company's go-to-market is sales-led and project-based, executing exclusively through a 100% U.S. state and Canadian province network of independent manufacturer representative firms, supplemented by an internal inside-sales team and an independent service provider directory. Revenue is generated primarily from hardware sales of engineered dehumidification and DOAS equipment (quote-based pricing, not publicly disclosed), with secondary revenue from service, replacement parts, and contractor training (Certified Service Technician program at $500/person, Grow Room Training at $50 registration). The company has served more than 20,000 customers across four continents and maintains compliance with AHRI 910/920 and ASHRAE 62.1/90.1 standards. Industry partnerships include ASHRAE, AHRTI, Resource Innovation Institute, ACCA, USA Swimming, and the National Cannabis Industry Association. Recent strategic activity centers on three product launches (SelectAire FLEX in 2026, DriCure and GrowAire VPDsync in 2025), expanding the company's footprint in cannabis drying and high-tonnage natatorium applications.

Name

Desert Aire

Legal name

Desert Aire Corp.

Website

https://desert-aire.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Desert Aire is a privately held, 47-year-old manufacturer of commercial and industrial refrigeration-based dehumidification systems and DOAS equipment, serving 20,000+ customers across seven verticals including indoor pools, cannabis/CEA agriculture, water treatment, ice rinks, and commercial buildings, distributed through a U.S./Canada rep network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Dehumidification Equipment

NAICS

Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415)

SIC

Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Drying & Evaporation Equipment (Dryers, Evaporators, Crystallizers) (IMAHAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Chillers & Cooling Plant Equipment (IMAHAKAE), HVAC & Industrial Ventilation (Chillers, AHUs, Exhaust, Filtration) (EUAEAFAE)

Keywords

• Commercial dehumidification systems
• Dedicated outdoor air systems
• Industrial humidity control
• Indoor agriculture dehumidification
• Natatorium HVAC equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Germantown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Commercial & Industrial Dehumidification Equipment Sales: Desert Aire's primary revenue stream is the sale of commercial and industrial dehumidification systems and Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS). The company manufactures and sells a broad portfolio of dehumidifier products ranging from residential/small pool units to large-scale industrial and agricultural dehumidification systems. Equipment is sold through a network of independent manufacturer representative firms and direct sales.
2. Service, Support & Replacement Parts: Desert Aire generates revenue from after-sale technical support, service parts, warranty claims, and system servicing. The company offers factory training (Certified Service Technician program) for contractors, startup and commissioning services, and a network of independent service providers for ongoing maintenance. Revenue from service includes parts sales and labor coordination.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Desert Aire engineers, manufactures, and sells commercial and industrial refrigeration-based dehumidification systems and Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS). The company sells purpose-built equipment for large and small indoor pools, indoor agriculture/CEA (cannabis, leafy greens), water treatment facilities, ice rinks, and industrial/commercial buildings, supported by proprietary control algorithms, hot gas reheat energy recovery, and a cloud-based remote monitoring service.

Product overview

Desert Aire offers a comprehensive portfolio of dehumidification and Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS) products serving multiple industries including indoor pools/natatoriums, indoor agriculture/CEA, water treatment, ice rinks, and commercial/industrial applications. The product line centers on commercial dehumidifiers including the SelectAire (standard, Plus, and FLEX variants), ExpertAire (standard, LW low-temperature, and LC/LV/LCP configurations), SwimAire, and GrowAire/DriCure/GreenAire series for agricultural applications. DOAS solutions include Aura, TotalAire, and VerticalAire series. Supporting products include Remote Condenser units and the AireGuard cloud-based monitoring add-on. The architecture follows a modular design philosophy with products available in various configurations (indoor/outdoor, packaged/split, air-cooled/water-cooled) to meet specific application requirements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SelectAire FLEX (SF) Series Liquid-cooled packaged HVACD dehumidifier for large indoor pools and natatoriums, combining dehumidification, cooling, heating, and ventilation with glycol energy recovery and ultra-low refrigerant charge. Sold to commercial aquatic facilities, engineers, and contractors.
• SelectAire Plus (SP) Series Modular dehumidifier engineered for large 50-meter pool applications with energy recovery, heat pipe refrigeration design for maximum latent moisture removal, and the industry's highest Moisture Removal Efficiency rating. Targeted at commercial natatoriums.
• SelectAire Series Commercial dehumidification system for large-scale moisture removal in indoor pools, water parks, natatoriums, and warehouses with pool surfaces greater than 2,000 sq ft.
• SwimAire Series Compact modular dehumidifier with 39 to 112 lbs/hr moisture removal capacity designed for small indoor pool and retrofit applications where space is limited.
• ExpertAire Horizontal (LC), Vertical (LV) & Packaged (LCP) Series Commercial dehumidification systems with high Moisture Removal Efficiency ratings, designed for pool surfaces less than 2,000 sq ft including hotel, residential, and small commercial pool applications.
• DriCure Series All-in-one dehumidification solution specifically designed for cannabis drying rooms, with scalable designs that regulate humidity as harvested plants dry over approximately 7-14 days.
• GrowAire Series Dehumidification system specifically designed for indoor farming, grow room, and drying room climate control. Scalable designs size grow rooms for peak cooling loads and regulate humidity as plants mature.
• GreenAire Series Chilled-water dehumidification system for very large indoor agricultural grow facilities greater than 150,000 sq ft, using VPDsync control algorithms to manage internal water flow and temperature loops.
• ExpertAire Wide Temperature Range (LW) Series Low-temperature dehumidification solutions for ice arenas, water treatment plants, pumping stations, food storage and processing facilities, and drying rooms, with operation down to -30°F for GrowAire applications.
• Aura Series DOAS Dedicated Outdoor Air System providing energy-saving ventilation solutions for IAQ-critical applications including office environments, hotels, schools, medical facilities, and indoor farming operations.
• TotalAire Series DOAS system offering the widest range of performance options including energy recovery wheels and secondary condensers for office buildings, hotels, educational environments, medical facilities, and restaurants.
• VerticalAire Series Vertical DOAS system with reduced footprint designed for HVAC projects with limited space, including educational environments, medical facilities, hotels, motels, office buildings, and restaurants.
• Remote Condenser (RCD, RC8, RCE, RCF) Series Remote condensers in vertical and horizontal airflow models designed to complement Desert Aire dehumidification and indoor climate control systems requiring large commercial thermal transfer capacity.
• AireGuard Cloud-based remote monitoring and alarming service allowing users to monitor installed Desert Aire dehumidifier performance from any computer or portable device, with remote tuning and troubleshooting by Desert Aire engineers.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Winona Family YMCA maintained 55% RH and 83-85°F air temperature in a 12,000+ sq ft pool area, resulting in over 1,800 new members within ~100 days of opening and 200-220 daily pool/hot tub users.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesert Aire actively participates in ASHRAE, using its standards (ASHRAE 62.1, ASHRAE 90.1) as the basis for its product designs and compliance. Desert Aire's DOAS solutions are designed to meet ASHRAE 62.1 code ventilation requirements and exceed ASHRAE 90.1 minimum energy efficiency ratings.
• AHRTI (Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesert Aire participates in AHRTI, an industry organization that establishes standards and certification programs for HVAC/R equipment including moisture removal efficiency (MRE) ratings. Desert Aire's products meet AHRI certification standards (AHRI 910, AHRI 920).
• Resource Innovation InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesert Aire has been a long-term partner to Resource Innovation Institute, combining financial commitment with deep knowledge of HVAC requirements in controlled environment agriculture. Desert Aire's team contributed to technical panels and participated in writing and editing 'Best Practices Guides' regarding indoor grow facilities. The company continues to support RII members with objective information on resource efficiency.
• ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesert Aire participates in ACCA, an organization of HVAC contractors that establishes standards and methods for load calculation and equipment sizing in residential and commercial buildings.
• USA SwimmingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesert Aire is a partner of USA Swimming, providing dehumidification expertise and solutions for aquatic facilities that serve the swimming community.
• National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesert Aire is a member of the National Cannabis Industry Association, which serves the regulated cannabis industry. This partnership supports Desert Aire's grow room dehumidification business serving cannabis cultivators.
• CMAC (Computational Medicine and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesert Aire participates in CMAC, a clinical microbiology organization. This partnership supports Desert Aire's healthcare dehumidification solutions by connecting the company with medical facility standards and infection control expertise.
• Paddock Pool Equipment CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesert Aire partners with Paddock Pool Equipment Company on integrated aquatic facility solutions. Paddock manufactures pool equipment including the Evacuator Chloramine Evacuation System, which integrates with Desert Aire's dehumidification systems in natatorium applications.
• Applied Air Solutions (Mike Beall)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApplied Air Solutions, led by Mike Beall with 30+ years of dehumidification experience, is a long-time Desert Aire representative. The firm works closely with design teams to select and provide the best HVAC solution for customer applications.
• Anchor Heating and Air Conditioning (Barry Tysor)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAnchor Heating and Air Conditioning, led by Barry Tysor, serves as a partner for Alō Farms in designing and specifying HVAC solutions. Barry has a long-standing relationship with Alō Farms founder and connected the project to Desert Aire's representative Applied Air Solutions.
• Griffin Greenhouse Supply / Controlled Environment AgriculturecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGriffin Greenhouse Supply (CEA division) collaborated with Desert Aire and Revolutionary Clinics on a cannabis grow room project in Fitchburg, MA. Griffin serves as a sales manager and expert grower, providing guidance on facility design and equipment specification.
• FTP-Fluid Transfer Products (Mike Miller)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFTP-Fluid Transfer Products, led by President Mike Miller, supported Revolutionary Clinics' goals by maintaining a deep understanding of the equipment needed and communicating requirements to Desert Aire. The company serves as a technical intermediary connecting grower needs with Desert Aire's product capabilities.
• Nelson & CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNelson & Company is the Desert Aire manufacturer representative that worked with Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training (FAST) to specify and deploy the dehumidification system solution comprising four Desert Aire pool room dehumidification units for the Olympic-sized indoor pool facility.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Trane Technologies: Trane is a major global HVAC manufacturer offering DOAS, dehumidification, and indoor air-quality solutions as part of a broad portfolio, competing with Desert Aire on large commercial and institutional projects.
• Carrier Global: Carrier is a diversified HVAC and refrigeration incumbent with DOAS and dehumidification offerings that overlap with Desert Aire's commercial building and industrial customer base.
• STULZ Air Technology Systems: STULZ manufactures precision air-handling and humidity-control systems for data centers, healthcare, and commercial buildings, providing overlapping dehumidification and DOAS capabilities to Desert Aire.

Direct peers

• Dri-Eaz (Legend Brands): Dri-Eaz, part of Legend Brands, produces commercial and restoration dehumidifiers used in water damage restoration and commercial drying, adjacent to Desert Aire's industrial dehumidification applications.
• PoolPak: PoolPak manufactures natatorium and indoor pool dehumidification systems directly competing with Desert Aire's SelectAire and ExpertAire product families in the commercial aquatic market.
• Quest Dehumidifiers: Quest manufactures commercial-grade dehumidifiers serving water damage restoration, indoor growing, and commercial moisture removal markets with overlapping end-user segments to Desert Aire.
• Bry-Air: Bry-Air is a global manufacturer of industrial and commercial dehumidification and drying equipment, competing head-to-head with Desert Aire in industrial drying, CEA, and pharmaceutical applications.
• Munters: Munters is a global leader in industrial and commercial dehumidification, offering competing solutions across many of the same verticals (industrial, water treatment, ice arenas) that Desert Aire serves.
• Therma-Stor (Santa Fe / Ultra-Aire): Therma-Stor manufactures dehumidifiers under the Santa Fe and Ultra-Aire brands, competing in commercial and residential dehumidification including restoration, basements, and pool-adjacent applications.
• Seresco Technologies: Seresco specializes in indoor pool and natatorium dehumidification, directly overlapping Desert Aire's largest primary segment with purpose-built pool room climate control equipment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPySWe1edZPpbuc43x8Z7qg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/desert-aire-corp.
• Instagraminstagram.com/desertairegrow

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Desert Aire