In this insightful discussion at AHR 2025 in Orlando, Bryan connects with Nikki Krueger from Santa Fe dehumidifiers, exploring the evolution and importance of whole-house dehumidification in modern HVAC systems. Nikki, who has spent 20 years in the indoor air quality industry, shares her journey from a public relations background to becoming deeply involved in the technical and engineering aspects of dehumidification technology. She highlights the groundbreaking work of Ken Gehring, who invented whole-house ventilating dehumidifiers in the mid-1990s and continues to be actively involved in the industry at 84 years old.

The conversation delves into the changing landscape of home construction and its impact on dehumidification needs. As houses become tighter due to building codes and energy efficiency requirements, the relationship between air conditioning and dehumidification has become more complex. They discuss how modern, high-efficiency AC systems often struggle with effective dehumidification due to their focus on temperature control and energy efficiency. This challenge is particularly evident in cases where AC units have higher sensible heat ratios, meaning they're better at changing temperature than removing moisture.

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the technical aspects of sizing and installing dehumidifiers correctly. Nikki emphasizes the importance of understanding true dehumidifier capacity under different conditions, noting that a unit's performance varies significantly based on temperature and humidity levels. The conversation also covers the evolution of ventilation requirements in modern homes and Santa Fe's response with new products featuring larger fans and eight-inch ventilation ducts to better match dehumidification capacity with ventilation needs.

Key Topics Covered:

• The history and evolution of whole-house dehumidification
• The relationship between modern AC systems and dehumidification challenges
• The importance of proper sizing and installation of dehumidifiers
• How building codes and tighter construction affect moisture control needs
• The role of ventilation in modern dehumidification systems
• The impact of temperature on dehumidifier performance ratings
• Common installation mistakes and best practices
• The significance of dew point versus relative humidity
• The challenges of maintaining specific relative humidity levels in homes
• New developments in dehumidifier technology, including larger ventilation ducts
• The importance of proper data and performance metrics in system design
• Resources for contractors and technicians learning about dehumidification

 

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