Are you looking to replace or upgrade your Santa Fe Dehumidifier or Quest Dehumidifier but don't see the model names, styles, and specifications you're used to?
If this describes how you're feeling, don't panic. You're seeing the recent rollout of sweeping updates to Santa Fe and Quest's most popular dehumidifiers— newly redesigned models with enhanced controls, advanced features, and a switch to a more environmentally friendly refrigerant.
Over the past year, Quest and Santa Fe, two Therma-Stor brands, have been preparing for this rollout, which will see redesigned, more efficient, and updated dehumidifiers installed in customers' homes and businesses nationwide in 2025. Here's what customers need to know about the updates.
Big Picture: What's Changing for Santa Fe and Quest Dehumidifiers in 2025?
The first thing customers should be aware of with this update is the transition from R-410A refrigerant to R-454B refrigerant for most Santa Fe Dehumidifier and Quest Dehumidifier models.
R-454B is a refrigerant with a lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) and is more environmentally sustainable than its predecessor. Its adoption aligns with current and forthcoming regulatory obligations, and customers will be happy to see this improved eco-friendliness.
What is R-454B Refrigerant, and how is it different from R-410A?
Refrigerant 101 (an informal sidebar)
Long story short, refrigerant is a specially formulated chemical found inside every dehumidifier and air conditioner. It is the “magic ingredient” that allows those devices to function as they do.
There are many formula variations out there, and you've probably heard of some of them, like R-32 Refrigerant or R-410A Refrigerant, but if you haven't heard of them, don't feel bad because they're something mostly only HVAC industry folks tend to worry about.
All you need to know is that they make things cold, very cold. Smart people have harnessed that ability to cool air, pull moisture from the air, and do all sorts of other magical things. However, some refrigerant formulas are better than others, and some are downright dangerous or harmful to the environment. So manufacturers and regulators are always looking to improve these formulas.
R-454B
The introduction of R-454B as a replacement for R-410A has been a focal point in the HVAC industry's drive toward greater sustainability.
Chemically, R-454B closely matches the performance characteristics of R-410A but with a substantially lower GWP rating—roughly four times lower than R-410A—which translates to a significantly reduced environmental impact.
Early indicators suggest that dehumidifiers built around R-454B can maintain or even improve upon the efficiency levels seen in R-410A models. Manufacturers like Quest report that this new refrigerant provides comparable cooling and dehumidification performance, making it a straightforward and beneficial choice for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Which Quest Dehumidifiers Are Changing in 2025?
While the updates to Santa Fe models focus on the refrigerant transition, Quest has seized an opportunity to introduce several major tech improvements to the Quest line of longtime customer favorites, such as the Quest 155 Dual Overhead Dehumidifier, Quest Dual 205 Overhead Dehumidifier, Quest 506 Overhead Dehumidifier, and Quest 746 High Efficiency Dehumidifier.
MCORR Technology and Updated Controls
Central among these upgrades is an update for older models to Quest's proprietary M-CORR Technology platform, which introduces a Multi-Coil Refrigeration Recovery system that boosts efficiency and dehumidifier effectiveness.
The M-CORR system incorporates a pre-evaporator, primary evaporator, and recovery coils into a Quest dehumidifier. These help the dehumidifier recycle thermal energy that would otherwise go to waste, improving energy efficiency and moisture removal capacity.
According to Quest, M-CORR technology leads to up to 30 percent more water extraction from the air than traditional coil models. This design places less strain on the overall system, potentially extending the lifespan of key components.
A new digital control interface, already standard in many Quest models, will replace the standard manual knobs from previous versions of these models, offering more precise humidity settings and a more user-friendly experience. These models will also have added low-voltage control options similar to those already featured in the Quest High-Efficiency 225 Dehumidifier model, which was previously updated in 2024.
Design Updates
Other design tweaks include removing the “legs” on the Quest 506 and Quest 746, which will reduce their overall height to make them more compact. The designs of Quest 155 and Quest 205 will be updated to mirror those of other small- to medium-sized models, such as Quest 225.
Which Quest Dehumidifiers Aren't Being Updated?
Not every Quest dehumidifier is getting a refresh. Some models, like the Quest CDG 174 Portable Dehumidifier, Quest 876 Pint High-Effiency Dehumidifier, and Quest 70 High-Efficiency Overhead Dehumidifier, are getting discontinued once their stock is depleted.
Quest has stated that the Quest CDG 174 will eventually be replaced by a new model called the Quest CDG 140, although no other details or firm release date has been announced yet.
Which Santa Fe Dehumidifiers Are Being Updated in 2025?
Compared to Quest's suite of upgrades, Santa Fe's updates prioritize eco-friendly upgrades and focus centrally on the refrigerant changeover.
By integrating R-454B refrigerant into many of its signature dehumidifier models, Santa Fe aims to reduce its products' environmental impact while still delivering reliable moisture control.
Among the models set to receive the R-454B update are the Santa Fe Compact70 Crawl Space Dehumidifier, the Santa Fe Classic Dehumidifier, the Santa Fe Oasis105 Dehumidifier, the Santa Fe Ultra70 Whole House Dehumidifier, the Santa Fe Ultra98 Dehumidifier, the Santa Fe Ultra120 Whole House Ventilating Dehumidifier, and the Santa Fe UltraMD33 In-Wall Dehumidifier.
Which Santa Fe Dehumidifiers Aren't Being Upgraded?
However, some models haven't joined the transition yet. The Santa Fe Ultra155 Ventilating Dehumidifier and the Santa Fe Ultra205 Ventilating Dehumidifier are set to be updated at some point in 2025, while the Santa Fe Impact155 Dehumidifier and Santa Fe Ultra120V Vertical Dehumidifier are among those still running on R-410A.
Why Are Quest and Santa Fe Making This Update?
Santa Fe and Quest have cited regulatory requirements and sustainable innovation as the primary drivers of these refrigerant changes.
Recent legislation and standards like the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 allowed the EPA to force U.S. manufacturers to begin phasing out high-global warming potential refrigerants for environmentally friendly substitutes, like R-32, R-454B, and others.
Like many manufacturers, Quest and Santa Fe could have reworked their products for R-32 refrigerant and postponed the switch to R-454B, which is up to 45 percent more efficient than R-32 but harder to implement. Instead, they took this opportunity to overhaul their product line for the betterment of the environment and customers' well-being.
“Most manufacturers stuck with R32 because designing around 454B is difficult, especially for standard two-coil systems,” Quest Representatives said in a blog post in January on regulations to push the HVAC industry towards lower emissions. “But with our proprietary, advanced M-CoRR Technology, we overcame those challenges—delivering smarter, more efficient dehumidification solutions that are built to last. After all, we're not on a quest to do the bare minimum.”
With this change, manufacturers say customers can expect equal or better efficiency compared to R-410A systems while significantly reducing the dehumidifiers' overall carbon footprint. For businesses and homeowners, improved sustainability without sacrificing performance is increasingly attractive, especially in a regulatory environment that aims to curb climate change.
“R-454B is more than just a replacement for conventional refrigerants—it's a leap forward in reducing environmental impact,” Quest Representatives said. “This significant reduction in GWP translates into a lower carbon footprint, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change while maintaining the high standards of performance and reliability that our customers expect.”
Understanding R-454B's Mildly Flammable Classification
One crucial aspect of switching to R-454B is understanding its classification as an A2L refrigerant, which indicates mild flammability. While A2L refrigerants can ignite under the right conditions, their flammability is far more limited than other older refrigerants.
R-410A is considered non-flammable at standard temperature and pressure, so the move to a mildly flammable refrigerant raises questions about safety. However, opting to have these devices installed by a qualified technician and using them in the conditions prescribed by the manufacturer will mitigate any possible risks that R-454B poses.
How Will the 2025 Santa Fe and Quest Dehumidifier Updates Affect Me?
The good news is implementing these updates benefits Santa Fe and Quest consumers. Whether you're looking for a new dehumidifier for your home or business or considering upgrading an older model, this series of updates will reduce your ecological footprint and potentially make the device you buy easier to use.
So check out Sylvane's assortment of Santa Fe Dehumidifiers for crawl spaces, basements, and whole homes, as well as our line of Quest High-Performance Dehumidifiers.
If you need more assistance choosing the right Quest or Santa Fe Dehumidifier, Sylvane's team of product experts is ready to help you navigate the available options. Call us at 1-800-934-9194 or email us at [email protected] for personalized help with your humidity management and dehumidification needs.
