At Anden we are always innovating and fighting to be the best and we want the same for you, our cultivators. So, we’re working to optimize your grow spaces and introduce you to better technology, unparalleled humidity control solutions, and more. It’s what makes us industry leaders, and helps you continue producing the high-quality product our industry needs and deserves. Thanks to some key players at Anden—like Randy Lenz, Anden’s Senior Applications Engineer—we can make this happen.
To learn more about how Anden can continue to help you maximize your yield, we asked Randy to answer some important questions about how you can achieve your goals and how his role impacts the industry (and Anden) as a whole. So, let’s jump in.
Randy, could you introduce yourself, describe your role at Anden, and talk about your history with the brand?
“Hi, my name is Randy Lenz, and I am the Senior Applications Engineer for Anden. I was on the team that brought Anden to the cannabis market. I started 18+ years ago with our parent company as a Product Specialist for humidification and dehumidification. I have been the liaison between our customer partners and our product development engineers to assure that we provide products that meet the needs of each application. As the resident humidity expert, I have not only helped with the development of new products, but I have also trained thousands of customers on their proper use, installations and provided technical support. My background in moisture control was a perfect fit for indoor agriculture.”
Let’s talk about application engineering. First, could you explain what it is? Then, share how this supports Anden’s mission of being a leading humidity control solution for growers.
“First of all, the Anden team is a tight-knit group of people that are very passionate about cannabis. We have very diverse backgrounds: we are made up of personal growers with many years of experience as well as folks like me that have extensive backgrounds in the HVAC industry.
As an Applications Engineer, I understand what it takes to get indoor climate where it needs to be. When we size a grow for dehumidification, we look at everything from the size of the room, the number of plants, water feed, lighting type, and HVAC type/tonnage to desired growing temperature and relative humidity to closely dial it in. We also work with you on the proper placement of the dehumidifiers in the room. With all the things in the room like the HVAC system, fans, and lights, it can be hard for you to know where the best placement is. Whenever possible I like to visit grows to discuss dehumidification needs such as where to install them, proper use, and maintenance.
Working hand-in-hand with cultivators is invaluable to continue expanding our knowledge base and to make sure we are designing and producing products that fit!”
Why is humidity control important for indoor growers?
“Cannabis can withstand a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels, but to grow the best high-quality cannabis you need a stable environment. That’s why we grow indoors, right?! The tighter you can control your temperature and relative humidity (RH), the higher your cannabinoid levels will be. This will also increase terpenes, so the colors will pop!”
Our growers have been hearing a lot about Anden’s newest VLGR (Variable-speed, Low Grain Refrigerant) technology. Can you tell us more about it and how growers can benefit from this emerging tech?
“The patented VLGR technology in the Anden A710 dehumidifier is the next progression in our grow-optimized products. Not only does the A710 have an ECM blower to maintain constant air flow across the coil, but we also control the speed of the compressor to deliver optimal performance. Controlled compressor speed allows a dehumidifier to run longer in low load conditions (low temperature and low humidity). In low load conditions, it’s common for a dehumidifier to go into a defrost cycle, but with VLGR technology, the defrost cycles are dramatically reduced. For example, at 60°F/50% RH we defrost every two hours while competitive dehumidifiers defrost every 30 minutes. Less time defrosting results in longer run time and more pints of moisture removed.”
Lastly, tell us about what excites you most about the future of Anden, and the future of the cannabis industry as a whole? What do growers have to look forward to?
“This Green Industry is looking for green solutions to reduce electrical expenses. Anden is committed to building energy-efficient products that can deliver the results that cultivators require. As the HVAC industry evolves in the cannabis space, we continually monitor it to make sure our product lineup creates the perfect marriage between temperature and moisture control. We design products that perform in low temperatures for HPS users and higher temperatures for LED users.”
Know more. Grow more.
Have a question? Need help getting started? Give us a call at 1-800-972-3710 or drop us a line.