Taking into account my gepgraphical location, Atlanta GA, my question is which dehumidifier unit, when placed approx 15' from exterior crawl space vent & between the Hot Water Heater & 95% efficient duel fuel furnace (dedicated air supply & only comes into play at 36 degree outside temp) would be best.

Space for Dehumidifier location between the Hot Water Heater & the Furnace, is 2'.

Dehumidifier would be ducted to below grade basement that is currently unfinished but will be in the future.

The basement area is in use as a home woodworking shop. Table Saw, Planer, Bandsaw, Jointer, Spindler Sander etc.

Direct dust control to machines via a 2HP cannister Dust Collector to 1 micron & passive dust control via air filtration unit, 1,700 CFM, 99% 5 micron particles & 89% down to 1 micron particles.

Even with this type of dust control, there is still likely to be some wood dust, so is there any particular inlet filter I should consider for Dehumidifier unit?

I don't think I put my question in a way that made sense to you.

I'm not concerned with the humidity from the open vent in the small 19' x 4' mechanical room. That mechanical room is well sealed from the rest of the structure via vapor barrier & is not conditioned. I'm also not concerned with the size these units can handle. I know the dimension of the area I wish to dehumidify & I am able to size accordingly.

My concern is with the minimum operating temp of a Santa Fe unit (50 degrees per spec sheet) as it pertains to being positioned in the unheated mechanical room that is vented to the outside in the Atlanta GA area. The vent is 7" x 14". The dehumidifier would be positioned approx 14' away from the outside vent, between Hot Water Heater & Furnace.

Would this application be Ok for the Santa Fe unit?

Also should any special consideration be given to the dehumidifier filter, given the potential for fine woodworking dust particles?

Thanx.

You will find when the outside temperatures are below 50^F, excess humidity inside a home ussally not a problem.  Concerns about low temperature will not be an issue.  If the temperature gets below 55^F and the dehumidistat is calling for dehumidification,the fan to operates without the compressor.  The unit waits for the temperature of the air flowing through it to reach +55^F and continues to operate.  If both inlet/outlet are ducted to a remote space, the temperature where the unit is located should be above freezing. Regarding filters, suggest a merv 11 pleated filter.  Operating in dust requires more frequent filter checks. Saw dust can be vacuumed from the filter until the filter shows wear.  Probably check the filter once a week when using the shop.  Feedback on filter cleaning would be appreciated.  Sorry about the confusion. Thanks Ken  

This what I needed to know.

Will do

So far the Santa Fe Advance is working like a champ. It's only late May / early June, but here in Hotlanta we're already hitting 90+ temps with high humidity days.

Pre Santa Fe Advance, relative humidity was around 80%.

Post Santa Fe Advance with remote humidistat & ducting...relative humidity is right where I've got it set @ 50%.

For the fine woodworking dust I'll end up creating in my basement workshop, you'd suggested using a Merv 11 pleated filter. What is the Merv rating on the supplied 2" Airflow pleated filter? I looked all over it, but could not find an indicated Merv rating.

Also what do you think of putting in a return air filter grill?

I was thinking of putting in a 14" x 20" return air filter grill with a 1" 3M 1250 pleated filter inserted, then 8" ductwork to the Santa Fe Advanced unit to be filtered yet again by the supplied 2" Airflow pleated filter at the top of the unit.

I'm thinking that would take care of any fine wood dust, depending on the Merv rating of the supplied 2" Airflow filter.

What do you think?

Regards,

Steve Alderman

2 questions.

(1.)

Nobody makes a wall Return Air Grill of the dimensions you've described. At least none that I'm aware of anyway. However, it'd be simple enough for me to fabricate a wall Return Air Grill of those dimensions. 

But, before I go to the trouble of fabricating that size wall Return Air Grill, wouldn't having a 4" pleated filter + the pre screen filter + the 2" pleated filter, absolutely choke off the airflow to the Santa Fe?

(2.)

Also, I'd asked about the Merv rating of the 2" pleated filter Santa Fe supplies with it's unit. I called it an Airflow, but after looking at it again, it's actually called an Airguard 2" pleated filter.

So, back to that question. What is the merv rating for that Santa Fe supplied filter?

Regards,

Steve Alderman.

2 questions.

(1.)

Nobody makes a wall Return Air Grill of the dimensions you've described. At least none that I'm aware of anyway. However, it'd be simple enough for me to fabricate a wall Return Air Grill of those dimensions. 

But, before I go to the trouble of fabricating that size wall Return Air Grill, wouldn't having a 4" pleated filter + the pre screen filter + the 2" pleated filter, absolutely choke off the airflow to the Santa Fe?

(2.) What is the merv rating for that Santa Fe supplied filter?[quote]

Any of the larger filters 24 X 24 X 4 or 2" will work.  Do not double them. with prefilters work ok with the SF.  The thicker filters have less resistance to air flow because there is more media in the filter. 

The current SF filter is a MERV 11.  Thanks Ken