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Santa Fe Dehumidifier Review: Which Model for Your Basement?

Santa Fe makes heavy duty dehumidifiers for crawl spaces, basements and whole homes. Here is how the Compact70, Ultra70, Advance90 and Classic differ, and which one fits your space.

Santa Fe Dehumidifier Review: Which Model for Your Basement?

Santa Fe dehumidifiers were developed by Therma-Stor, which holds the Santa-Fe trademarks. They are contractor favorites for encapsulated crawl spaces and basements because they are built for continuous duty in cool spaces and can be ducted. Most are rated at the AHAM condition of 80F and 60% RH, so their pint numbers are not directly comparable with a portable's DOE rating.

Santa Fe model comparison
ModelRated pints/dayAirflowBest forNotes
Compact70 (formerly Compact2)70 (AHAM)150 CFMCrawl spacesLow profile; runs 49F to 95F (data sheet)
Ultra7070 (AHAM); 52.45 at 73FNot listed hereWhole home, ventilating5.5 pints/kWh at 80F
Advance9090 (AHAM)Not listed hereCrawl spaces, basements11.25 gal/day (catalog)
Advance Dry110110370 CFMLarger basements, ductedDual exhaust, dew point cut-out
Classic116 (Aprilaire data; retailers list 106 to 110)275 CFMFinished basementsVertical, 110 lb

Sources: Santa Fe data sheets and catalog, Santa Fe Classic manual, Aprilaire product data, Amazon listings.

Santa Fe models compared

Santa Fe models compared. Price tiers: $ under about $100, $$ about $100 to $200, $$$ about $200 to $400, $$$$ about $400 to $900, $$$$$ about $900 and up.
PickCapacityCoveragePumpNoiseENERGY STARPrice tier
Best for crawl spaces
Santa Fe Compact70
70 pints/day (AHAM 80F)Crawl spaces about 1,800 to 2,600 sq ft (maker data sheet)NoNot publishedNot stated$$$$$Check price
Best whole-home ventilating
Santa Fe Ultra70
70 pints/day (AHAM 80F)Not statedNoNot publishedNot stated$$$$$Check price
Best high-capacity crawl unit
Santa Fe Advance90
90 pints/day (AHAM 80F)Not statedNoNot publishedNot stated$$$$$Check price
Best for large basements
Santa Fe Advance Dry110
110 pints/day (AHAM 80F)Up to 3,600 sq ft (Amazon listing)NoNot publishedNot stated$$$$$Check price
Best upright basement unit
Santa Fe Classic
116 pints/day (AHAM 80F)Up to 3,000 sq ft (Sylvane, maker suggestion)NoNot publishedNot stated$$$$$Check price

Santa Fe Compact 70

Santa Fe Compact70 Crawl Space Dehumidifier

Best for: encapsulated crawl spaces.

Check price on Amazon

The Santa Fe Compact 70 dehumidifier (model 4044110) is the one most crawl space contractors install. It is rated at 70 pints a day at AHAM conditions with 150 CFM, in a short, flat case that slides into tight crawl spaces. Santa Fe's data sheet gives an operating range of 49F to 95F and sizes it for crawl spaces of about 1,800 to 2,600 sq ft.

Santa Fe Compact70 specs
Model numberCompact70 (4044110, formerly Compact2)
TypeCompressor (crawl space / basement, low temp)
Capacity (AHAM test, 80F, 60% RH)70 pints/day
CoverageCrawl spaces about 1,800 to 2,600 sq ft (maker data sheet)
Built-in pumpNo
Wi-Fi / appNo
ENERGY STARNot stated
NoiseNot published
Low-temperature operation49F to 95F operating range (maker data sheet)
Airflow150 CFM
ENERGY STAR statusNot on ENERGY STAR's current certified list (checked Nov 2026); older listings may describe an earlier certification.
Price tierPro (about $900 and up)

Pros

  • Fits low crawl spaces
  • Proven contractor choice

Cons

  • 49F minimum per data sheet
  • No pump built in

Check price on Amazon

Spec sources (checked 2026-11-11): Santa Fe Compact70 data sheet; Santa Fe 4044110 submittal sheet; Sylvane listing Compact70.

Santa Fe Compact2

The Santa Fe Compact2 is the earlier name for the same crawl space model. Santa Fe's submittal sheet for model 4044110 lists it as the Compact70, formerly Compact2. If you are replacing a Compact2, the Compact70 is the direct successor.

Santa Fe Ultra 70

Santa Fe Ultra70 Whole House Ventilating Dehumidifier

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The Santa Fe Ultra 70 is a whole-house ventilating dehumidifier. It removes 70 pints a day at 80F and 52.45 at 73F and 60% RH, at 5.5 pints per kWh at 80F, according to Santa Fe's catalog. "Ventilating" means it can bring in filtered fresh outdoor air while it dries, which helps in tight, newer homes. It can be ducted into the HVAC system.

Santa Fe Ultra70 specs
Model numberUltra70
TypeWhole-house (ducted or ventilating)
Capacity (AHAM test, 80F, 60% RH)70 pints/day
CoverageNot stated by maker
Built-in pumpNo
Wi-Fi / appNo
ENERGY STARNot stated
NoiseNot published
Efficiency (80F, 60% RH)5.5 pints/kWh
Capacity at 73F, 60% RH52.45 pints/day
DesignCan be ducted and can bring in filtered fresh air (ventilating)
Price tierPro (about $900 and up)

Pros

  • Fresh-air ventilation option
  • Efficient
  • Ducted or free-standing

Cons

  • Needs an installer to use ventilation
  • Pro price tier

Check price on Amazon

Spec sources (checked 2026-11-11): Santa Fe catalog; Santa-Fe Ultra70 product object (Aprilaire).

Santa Fe Advance 90

Santa Fe Advance90 Dehumidifier

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The Santa Fe Advance 90 is rated at 90 pints a day (about 11.25 gallons) at AHAM conditions in Santa Fe's catalog. It is the step up from the Compact70 for large or very damp crawl spaces and basements.

Santa Fe Advance90 specs
Model numberAdvance90
TypeCompressor (crawl space / basement, low temp)
Capacity (AHAM test, 80F, 60% RH)90 pints/day
CoverageNot stated by maker
Built-in pumpNo
Wi-Fi / appNo
ENERGY STARNot stated
NoiseNot published
Capacity in gallons11.25 gal/day at rating conditions (Santa Fe catalog)
Price tierPro (about $900 and up)

Pros

  • High capacity
  • Crawl space format

Cons

  • Pro price tier
  • We did not find it on Amazon; check HVAC suppliers

Check price on Amazon

Spec sources (checked 2026-11-11): Santa Fe catalog.

Santa Fe Advance Dry110

Santa Fe Advance Dry110 Dehumidifier

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The newer Advance Dry110 removes 110 pints a day with 370 CFM according to its listing, has dual exhaust outlets, a dew point cut-out and ducting options, and is listed for up to 3,600 sq ft.

Santa Fe Advance Dry110 specs
Model numberAdvance Dry110 (4047010)
TypeWhole-house (ducted or ventilating)
Capacity (AHAM test, 80F, 60% RH)110 pints/day
CoverageUp to 3,600 sq ft (Amazon listing)
Built-in pumpNo
Wi-Fi / appNo
ENERGY STARNot stated
NoiseNot published
Airflow370 CFM (Amazon listing)
Power480 W (Amazon listing)
FeaturesDual exhaust outlets, ducting options, dew point cut-out, auto restart
Price tierPro (about $900 and up)

Pros

  • High airflow
  • Ducting options

Cons

  • Large unit
  • Pro price tier

Check price on Amazon

Spec sources (checked 2026-11-12): Amazon listing B0FKNNXJWL (Model Number 4047010).

Santa Fe Classic

Santa Fe Classic Dehumidifier

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The Santa Fe Classic dehumidifier is an upright, flow-down unit for finished basements. Aprilaire's product data lists 116 pints (14.5 gallons) a day at 80F and 60% RH, the manual gives 275 CFM and 700 W, and Sylvane gives a suggested room size of 3,000 sq ft. It weighs 110 lb, so plan where it will live.

Santa Fe Classic specs
Model numberClassic (4044710)
TypeWhole-house (ducted or ventilating)
Capacity (AHAM test, 80F, 60% RH)116 pints/day
CoverageUp to 3,000 sq ft (Sylvane, maker suggestion)
Built-in pumpNo
Wi-Fi / appNo
ENERGY STARNot stated
NoiseNot published
Capacity116 pints (14.5 gal) per day at 80F, 60% RH (Aprilaire product data); some retailers list 106 to 110
Airflow275 CFM at 0.0 in. WG (manual)
Power700 W at 80F, 60% RH
DesignVertical, flow-down basement unit; optional duct kit and condensate pump
Weight110 lb
Price tierPro (about $900 and up)

Pros

  • Very high capacity
  • Optional duct kit and pump

Cons

  • 110 lb
  • Retailers list different capacities

Check price on Amazon

Spec sources (checked 2026-11-12): Amazon listing B0DRWDJXZL (Model Number 4044710); Santa-Fe Classic product data (Aprilaire); Santa Fe Classic manual; Sylvane listing Santa Fe Classic.

Santa Fe vs AlorAir vs Aprilaire

Santa Fe vs AlorAir vs Aprilaire
Santa Fe Compact70AlorAir Sentinel HDi65SAprilaire E070
Rated pints/day70 (AHAM)55 (AHAM), 120 saturation70 (80F, 60% RH)
Airflow150 CFM130 CFM200 CFM
PumpNo (add-on)YesWi-Fi version bundled with pump
Low temperature49F (data sheet)33.8F (maker)Not stated here
Wi-FiNoYesE070W

AlorAir is usually the lowest price of the three and runs closest to freezing. Santa Fe and Aprilaire are the traditional contractor brands. On ENERGY STAR's whole-home records, Santa Fe's newest Ultra V-series post the highest efficiency of any brand we checked. See our Aprilaire review and crawl space guide.

Verdict

For an encapsulated crawl space, the Santa Fe Compact70 remains the safe, standard choice. For a whole home that also needs fresh air, the Ultra70 is unusual and useful. For big basements, the Advance Dry110 or Classic have the capacity. If your crawl space gets close to freezing, look at AlorAir instead, because the Compact70's data sheet lists 49F as its minimum.

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Fe worth the price?
For crawl spaces and basements that need continuous drying, yes: Santa Fe units are built for nonstop duty, can be ducted and are a contractor standard. For a single damp room, a portable dehumidifier costs a fraction as much.
Santa Fe Compact 70 vs Ultra 70?
Both are rated at 70 pints at 80F. The Compact70 is a low, flat crawl space unit. The Ultra70 is a whole-house ventilating unit that can be ducted into your HVAC system and bring in filtered fresh air.
Where can I buy Santa Fe dehumidifiers?
Through HVAC contractors and distributors, specialty retailers such as Sylvane, and on Amazon, where the Compact70, Ultra70, Classic and Advance Dry110 are listed.

Sources

  • Santa Fe product catalog
  • Justia: SANTA-FE trademarks owned by Therma-Stor LLC
  • ENERGY STAR Certified Dehumidifiers dataset (data.energystar.gov)