Here at Sylvane, we’ve been helping customers resolve air quality issues for over 20 years. Customers often ask which dehumidifier we recommend for hard-to-access crawl spaces and basements. For us, the recommendation is simple. Just take a look at the Santa Fe Compact70 dehumidifier. With its horizontal and compact design, the Compact70 is our top recommendation for removing excess moisture in low-clearance applications.
How Sylvane Reviews Dehumidifiers
Look at any dehumidifier and you'll quickly see that the features and functions each unit brings to the table are endless. Instead of giving you a rundown of everything the Compact70 does, we take an in-depth look at the basics of performance, ease of use, primary features, and cost.
- Coverage Area and Where It Can Be Used: What types of rooms is the dehumidifier typically used in, and can it hold up to its stated coverage area?
- Efficiency and Moisture Removal Capacities: Knowing its total dehumidification capacity is great, but how has the dehumidifier performed in tests at different temperatures?
- Placement and Installation Options: Does the dehumidifier need to be installed? Can you set it on the floor? How hard is it to set up the dehumidifier?
- Controlling The Dehumidifier: How easy is the unit to control? Does it require additional controllers, or is everything you need included with the product?
- Included Air Filtration: Does the dehumidifier have the ability to provide clean, dehumidified air to your space?
- Cost: Is the cost of the dehumidifier worth the investment as compared to similar products?
| Sylvane Reviews The Santa Fe Compact70 | |
|---|---|
|
Maximum Coverage Area |
Basements: Up to 2,600 Square Feet |
|
Efficiency and Moisture Removal |
Efficiency: 5.0 Pints/kWh |
|
Placement and Installation Options |
- Floor Placement |
|
Controlling The Dehumidifier |
- Humidity Control Adjustment Dial |
|
Included Air Filtration |
MERV-13 Air Filter |
Where To Use The Santa Fe Compact70
With dimensions of only 12 in. x 12 in. x 21 in. (H x W x D), we've found that the Santa Fe Compact70 is perfectly sized for installation in tight residential spaces such as low-clearance crawl spaces, basements, and mechanical closets. It easily fits in areas that other 70 pint dehumidifiers just can't.
Low-Clearance Convenience
In addition to its convenient sizing, we've determined that two features of the Compact70 make it the easiest-to-install low-clearance dehumidifier on the market today.
- Configures To Your Location: A feature we particularly like about this Santa Fe 70 pint dehumidifier is its rotatable exhaust outlet. We configured the exhaust outlet to match the confines of our space. We were able to set the dehumidifier up for vertical exhaust simply by rotating the exhaust panel so that the collar was on top of the unit, rather than in the horizontal position that it shipped in.
- Fits Between Floor Joists: Particularly beneficial if you're installing the dehumidifier in a crawl space, this unit easily fits between floor joists with a hanging kit (sold separately).
Room Sizing
When it comes to the size of rooms it can cover, is the Santa Fe Compact70 up to the challenge? Removing 70 pints of moisture per day, we've found it outperforms any standalone dehumidifier you will find and is well worth the investment. The Compact70 from Santa Fe works best in the following-sized spaces.
|
Location Type |
Maximum Coverage Area |
|---|---|
|
Basement |
Up to 2,600 Square Feet |
|
Crawl Space |
Up to 2,600 Square Feet |
Moisture Removal and Efficiency
When shopping for a dehumidifier, it is important to consider the real-world use of the appliance. While independently tested by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) under conditions of 80°F and 60% RH, the moisture removal performance in your space will be determined by other local factors, such as temperature and existing humidity levels. Knowing this information ahead of time can help you choose the most efficient dehumidifier for your needs and ensure that your indoor spaces are optimally comfortable for years to come.
Performance At Various Temperatures
Although testing results are an important guide when assessing a dehumidifier’s performance, they don’t necessarily reflect the condition of that dehumidifier once it is used in your own home. The Santa Fe Compact70 was tested at two different temperatures, and the performance results are highlighted below; however, factors such as climate, air circulation, type of building, etc., can have a huge impact on a dehumidifier’s abilities.
|
Testing Conditions |
Efficiency |
Moisture Removal |
|---|---|---|
|
80°F and 60% RH |
5.0 Pints/kWh |
70 Pints/Day |
|
70°F and 60% RH |
3.9 Pints/kWh |
47 Pints/Day |
After years of testing, we've noticed something important: dehumidification efficiency and moisture removal capacity decreases as temperatures drop. This means that when using this device, the colder the space is, the less efficient it will become.
Placement and Installation Requirements
The Compact70 is a great addition to any home, as it offers a unique combination of features. Not only is it a powerful dehumidifier, but the range of placement options ensures that it can be used in almost any location. Whether you want it installed in a basement, crawl space, or closet, you’ll find that there's an option that works perfectly for your needs and environment.
- Floor Placement: The Compact70 is a perfect choice for areas free from the potential of flooding. With its space-saving design, you won't have to give up too much floor space in your area. Just set it on the floor and be sure to use the included leveling feet to make certain that it remains level at all times. This makes installation quick and simple, so you can enjoy efficient dehumidification in no time.
- Hanging Kit: When it comes to potential flooding, hanging the Compact70 is a great option to reduce potential damage. With a hang kit (sold separately), you can suspend the unit from your floor joists using the provided leveling feet to hold the hanging kit bracket securely in place.
Optional Ducting
This dehumidifier isn't a ventilating dehumidifier, which may be a limitation for some. But luckily, the dehumidifier works with an optional ducting kit (sold separately). The kit allows you to place the unit in an unfinished area and use the return ducting to provide a circular flow of dry air into a finished area through a cutout in your wall. This is incredibly useful because it ensures your entire space remains dehumidified.
Controlling The Dehumidifier
We find the humidity control adjustment dial on this dehumidifier does a great job of controlling the relative humidity. It will turn the device on when the humidity level rises above your set point, and back off again when it's within ±5% of it. The convenience of having an adjustable switch at your fingertips is incomparable; you can ensure that the humidity level in your space always stays consistent without having to constantly manually adjust the settings.
Included Air Filtration
If you're looking for a dehumidifier with improved air quality, look no further than the Santa Fe Compact70 Dehumidifier. Its filtration capabilities exceed those of regular models and are reinforced with a MERV-13 air filter. This provides enhanced dust prevention, helping your dehumidifier to run more efficiently and last longer. Not only that, but you can rest assured knowing that your crawl space or basement is circulating healthy, clean air.
You'll need to replace the filter every 3 to 6 months, depending on use. Replacement filters are sold separately. Ultimately, this is a great dehumidifier for those looking to boost their home's air quality.
Cost
If you’re looking for a large-space dehumidification solution that is both affordable and low-maintenance, then the Compact70 is certainly worth considering. This innovative machine not only offers reliable dehumidification but also does away with the need for daily maintenance or buckets to be emptied. Best of all, it comes in three different options, which means you can pick the best setup for your home:
- Dehumidifier Only: Purchase the dehumidifier by itself without any additional accessories.
- Complete Crawl Space Package: With the Sylvane exclusive, Compact70 Complete Crawl Space Package, you'll have everything you need for dehumidifying your crawl space. The package includes the dehumidifier, along with a hang kit to make sure it is securely mounted. It also includes a remote thermometer and humidity sensor to monitor conditions from anywhere in the house. Plus, when needed, you'll have a replacement MERV-13 filter set to keep the dehumidifier running optimally.
- Compact70 + Air Purifier Package: When it comes to purifying and cleaning the air in your home, nothing does it better than the Santa Fe Compact70 plus Air Purifier Package. This package is a breeze to set up and immediately goes to work regulating both moisture levels and indoor air quality. It features an ultra-quiet Santa Fe Compact70 dehumidifier that effectively removes moisture from the air and a powerful Santa Fe HEPA Air Purifier that eliminates airborne contaminants with its HEPA + carbon filtration, UV sterilization, and indoor air quality monitor.
Investing in a Santa Fe dehumidifier is an excellent decision, as its 6-year limited warranty is the best and longest residential dehumidifier warranty available on the market. Santa Fe offers premium protection for customers, with complete replacements for any malfunctioning unit during the first two years of ownership and part replacements for any faulty parts in the remaining four years. With such extended coverage, investing in a Santa Fe Compact70 or other Santa Fe dehumidifier will ensure that your purchase is well-protected over time.
The Bottom Line From Sylvane
The Santa Fe Compact70 is a reliable and powerful choice for dehumidification in tight spaces. With its small size and adjustable settings, you can customize the dehumidifier to best fit your needs - from crawl spaces to basements, it will do the job with ease. In our own tests, we found its functional design was cost-effective and reliable enough to meet the needs of any residential application. If you're looking for an efficient way to keep moisture levels under control without breaking the bank, this could be the perfect choice for you.
| Santa Fe Compact70 Key Specifications | |
|---|---|
|
Moisture Removal at AHAM (80°F and 60% RH) |
70 Pints/Day |
|
Efficiency at AHAM (80°F and 60% RH) |
5.0 Pints/kWh |
|
Basement Sizing |
Tightly Sealed: Up to 2,600 Sq. Ft. |
|
Crawl Space Sizing |
Tightly Sealed: Up to 2,600 Sq. Ft. |
|
Unit Dimensions (W x H x D) |
12 x 12 x 21 in. |
|
Unit Weight |
55 lbs. |
Who Is Sylvane and Why Should You Trust Us?
Since 2000, Sylvane has delivered the best indoor air quality products available. Believing in the idea that better air begins with knowledge, through employees who are in-house and hands-on with every product we sell, we provide customers with detailed product information, air treatment learning articles, reliable product comparisons, and personalized consultation on indoor air treatment issues.
