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I've had similar experiences. I'm now on my 4th dh since I started building around the end of 2003/begining of 2004.

When my last one died I posted a similar question. The Santa Fe units came highly recommended and I nearly bit the bullet but came across a consumer brand 70 pint so cheap that I couldn't pass it up. If it dies in the next few months I'll prob spring for something higher end.

FWIW this is what a couple of OLFer's had to say about the SF units:

dberkowitz:

"Spend more, save money and cooling: Thermastor Santa Fe.
http://www.santa-fe-products.com/index. ... &Itemid=36

They are relatively quiet, more efficient in extraction of moisture, and generate less heat. I have what is now the classic. It does more than the pair of 50pt Hudson Bay units I used to have and use half the energy to do so. They also offer an outboard pump so you don't have to empty the bins or have it near a drain.

Worth every penny.

--db"

and Pegasusguitars:

"I've been using one of those Santa Fe units, though the company changed hands and the name changed, for 10 years or so. My normal outside humidity here in Hawaii is 65-95%. The Santa Fe has performed flawlessly. Very quiet, cheap to run, no bins to drain, and relatively cool running. As Dave said, worth every penny."

I have had a Sante Fe Classic for three seasons now and use it for our house basement. The basement is 2400 square feet. When I tried to reduce the RH with two consumer grade whirlpool dehumidifiers, they would run constantly and do little to reduce the RH. I had to dump them often but still no reduction in RH. The basement would reach 66 to 70% RH even with those running. I gave up and ordered the Sante Fe Classic. Put it in the basement, turned the RH dial slowly until the unit came on and within 24 hours, the RH was at 47%. I can easily take it lower if I want but 45 to 50% is my target. It cycles on and off on it's own, had little effect on my utility bill and drains right into the furnace sump so I never have to drain anything. Yes, they are a bit spendy BUT they work and work very well. David is right about the heat generation, very little to none. They have a smaller unit than the classic that I am considering for my shop. When Jim Olson was here, he saw my Sante Fe and noted how he has a Sante Fe that is piped right into his heating/cooling system of his shop. You might consider checking with Therma-Stor to see if they offer reconditioned ones at a discount.

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jw ( o)===:::

+1 on Joe White's recommendation of the Sante Fe Classic by Therma Stor. 40% RH is small work for this unit. I dehumidify nearly 3100 sf of basement in Wlliamsburg, VA (humidity capitol of the world) and the unit doesn't even work full time...cycling on and off automatically. Not a cheap unit, but worth every penny in my opinion.

1. don't close em up in dry weather.
2. don't close em up in wet weather.
3. switch to building arch tops...Rh don't matter near as much.
4. take up coin or baseball card collection instead...

just saying

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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


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I have had dismal experience with the consumer grade dehumdifiers. I have had my LG replaced 4 times under warranty. The last one lost it's charge in two months after replacement. LG has been very good about the warranty, but the last failure cost me three weeks in building time until it was replaced. I've had 3 GE's. None lasted the warranty period.

I bought an Oasis commercial dehumdifier from Amazon for $500. It's made in Poland (the only one besides the Santa Fe that isn't Chinese) and has a 5 year warranty. I've had it one month--hardly enough time to give a prediction on durability. It draws about the same current as the LG but it doesn't seem terribly efficient. I plan to measure one against the other for current draw over 24 hours but I haven't had a chance yet.

If this one fails, I will probably wince and buy the Santa Fe.

I have two from AEG, both running since 10 years without any problems, just doing their job quite well. But I don't know if this brand is actually sold in the US, therefore a link only in German, but perhaps it helps you somehow....

http://www.aeg-haustechnik.de/produkte/ ... uchter-le/

cheers, alex