Probably The Best Basement/Crawl Space Dehumidifier On The Market
For me, one of the most effective methods of treating excess moisture is to use a whole-house dehumidifier. However, during my research I’ve found this doesn’t actually get to the root of the problem. You see the air you breathe inside your home doesn’t just come from outside. About half of it comes from your basement or crawl space.
Needless to say, these areas are poorly ventilated and as a result can be dusty, moldy and incredibly humid. I have included an informational article on my website which tells you all about the negative effects these can have on your health, but it goes way beyond that.
If not treated properly, the humidity inside your basement or crawl space can compromise the structural integrity of the entire house. Moisture creeps into the foundations and electrical installations, plus you’ll end up with damage inside your home because it WILL spread and could eventually end up ruining expensive flooring or furniture (not to mention your walls)!
For these reasons, getting a dehumidifier designed specifically for use in crawl spaces and basements is something you should consider, and the Santa Fe Compact 2 Whole House Dehumidifier is (in my humble opinion) the perfect solution.
Basic Info and Specs
The Santa Fe Compact 2, thanks to its clever horizontal design is small enough to fit in any crawl space and it certainly won’t have any trouble going in the basement. Just so you have an idea, this dehumidifier is designed to deal with spaces up to 1,600 square feet in size.
It has the capacity to remove a whopping 70 pints of water vapor in a single day. Mind you, those 70 pints were collected under the American Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) conditions with an air temperature of 80F and 60% relative humidity, which is far less optimal than the typical circumstances in which other manufacturers measure their performance.
Compact Design
Even though this unit is termed as “compact” I think most of you won’t realize how small it is. Measuring at just 12 inches wide and tall, and 21 inches long you would be hard-pressed to find an area where it won’t fit with ease.
Installation Process
If you want to install this dehumidifier inside your basement, it can be done in under an hour. Just keep in mind to place the device high enough so gravity can do its job with draining water. If you’re feeling particularly handy, you can attach ducts to the dehumidifier and run them wherever clean, dry air is needed most.
Drain Tap
One thing I have learned is that when you have a horizontal dehumidifier, it is wise to set up a drain tap so the humid air doesn’t go back into the device through the hose. But, you might find yourself in a situation where you can’t rely on gravity to drain the excess water, and that’s why you need to consider getting a condensate pump. As luck would have it, this dehumidifier can be adjusted to use a pump.
Excellent Air Filtration
In addition to keeping the air you breathe dry, this unit also has a MERV-8 filter which is used in labs and hospitals. This means you will also be protected from mold spores, bacteria, dust and allergens.
Conclusion
If you are really serious about getting rid of humidity, I think the Santa Fe Compact 2 is the best option you have. And if noise is something that bothers you with a device like this, you don’t have to with this one because it has received excellent feedback in that respect.
For those among you who are facing some serious humidity issues, I think this dehumidifier is an absolute “must buy”. Why not pay a visit to Amazon where there are often some great deals on price.
