If you live in an area with high humidity, you know how important it is to regulate moisture levels inside your home. Having a quality dehumidifier like a Santa Fe unit is a must for healthy indoor air. However, even the best dehumidifiers on the market can encounter operating issues.
The most common Santa Fe dehumidifier problems include a malfunctioning fan motor, a full water tank, and a frozen coil due to low temperatures. However, serious issues can also arise, like a faulty compressor and bad electrical parts.
It is essential to understand these dehumidifier problems before fixing them. This article will cover these issues in more detail. We will also teach you some basic troubleshooting tips below.
Overview of Santa Fe Dehumidifiers
Santa Fe dehumidifiers are manufactured by Therma-Stor. The company is famous for producing high-quality indoor air quality solutions for commercial and residential use.
Santa Fe dehumidifiers are designed to control humidity inside a home or commercial space. In doing so, they address various humidity-related problems. These include mold growth, musty odors, increased allergens, furniture damage, and more.
These quality dehumidifiers from Santa Fe are also durable and efficient, with lengthy warranty coverage. All units exceed the standard requirements of the Department of Energy. Some units can even remove two or three times more moisture than the standard dehumidifier.
Plus, the Santa Fe dehumidifiers are compatible with several accessories. These make them suitable for a wide range of applications. For one, they use duct kits to control humidity in tight spaces. They are ideal for the basement and crawl space in your home or warehouse.
Finally, these dehumidifiers have a built-in MERV-13 filter. They can trap up to 98% of particles compared to 90% of dust removal of conventional dehumidifiers. Not only do they clean your air, but they also control indoor moisture levels.
What Are Common Santa Fe Dehumidifier Problems? (Plus Troubleshooting Tips)
Although a Santa Fe house dehumidifier is mostly reliable, it may break down unexpectedly, especially after constant use. Below are some common problems you may encounter. We will also share Santa Fe dehumidifier troubleshooting tips you must try.
Full Water Tank
Most Sante Fe dehumidifiers can remove gallons of moisture from your home. So depending on your indoor humidity level, it might take a while for their collection tank to be full. But once this tank is overflowing with water, the dehumidifier may automatically shut off to protect internal components.
You cannot use the Santa Fe dehumidifier until you drain the water. There are two common ways to remove collected moisture.
First, you can manually empty the water container. Detach the bucket located inside the unit and dump the water before reattaching it. Second, you can connect a hose to the drain port at the back of the device. Ensure the hose leads to a floor drain so the water flows out.
However, you can also use a condensate pump kit (purchased separately) to drain water automatically. It pushes moisture up to the drain pipes, so it can empty through a sink or out of a window.
Dehumidifier Will Not Turn On
If the water tank is empty and the Santa Fe dehumidifier refuses to turn on, check if it is plugged into the outlet correctly. Ensure it meets the electrical requirements of the unit. Then, press the power button and set the humidity control to the above “Minimum” setting. It jumpstarts the humidifier to reduce moisture levels in your home.
You can also try removing the water collection tank from its housing and reinserting it. Improper tank placement may prevent the Santa Fe dehumidifier from turning on.
Broken Humidistat
The humidistat measures the moisture level in the air. It drives the dehumidifier to turn on or off when moisture in the air reaches the desired preset level. In other words, it is responsible for maintaining humidity in your room.
If the humidistat is broken, it cannot activate the Santa Fe dehumidifier. But first, test this component to see if it is indeed defective. Check if the main panel switch is in the “On” position. You should also verify if the humidistat is set between 50 and 60 percent relative humidity.
Should the humidistat fail to turn on, use a multimeter to inspect its continuity (ohms). Replace the component if it does not have continuity. You can hire a technician to do this task for you. However, note that installing new parts can revoke the product warranty.
Malfunctioning Fan Motor
The fan draws warm air into the dehumidifier to remove excess moisture in your room and crawl space. The air moves through the evaporator coils, which transform gas into liquid.
If the fans fail to pull in air, the Santa Fe dehumidifier cannot dehumidify your indoor space.
Check the fan blade to see if it is broken or bent. Slowly turn it by hand to see if it does not touch the housing. You must replace the fan with a new one if you encounter these issues.
If you notice the fan moves slightly from the shaft, you must tighten it with a screwdriver. A loose fan is unable to take in warm air.
When the blade is in perfect condition, the fan motor might be the culprit. Get a multimeter to test the electric current. If the multimeter cannot read anything, you should replace the fan motor. Ask for professional help from a technician when assembling the new motor.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
If you use a Sante Fe dehumidifier in a cool room (65 degrees Fahrenheit or lower), the moisture on the coils can freeze. This frost can prevent the unit from working properly. It cannot condense warm air and drain water.
Fortunately, troubleshooting is easy if you have frozen evaporator coils. Simply unplug the dehumidifier and wait until the frost melts. It can take several minutes up to a few hours, depending on how thick the ice is. Use a basin to catch the melted ice and refrigerant leak.
After the frost melts, you can plug the unit again. Switch on the dehumidifier and use a heater in the room to prevent frozen coils.
Overloaded Compressor
The compressor is the core component of a Santa Fe dehumidifier. It compresses and circulates the refrigerant through the coils. If it fails to work properly, the dehumidifier will not cool the air.
A faulty or overloaded compressor is usually a result of one or two problems.
First, a compressor can overheat due to frost buildup. Wait until the ice melts before flipping the overload switch. Refer to the product manual for the location of this component.
Another culprit behind a defective compressor might be low voltage. Disconnect the machine from the plug and check the voltage going to your outlet and dehumidifier. It must meet the electrical requirements set by the manufacturer.
Finally, a bad capacitor can prevent the compressor from circulating the refrigerant. Consider cleaning the air vents regularly. If that does not work, open the panel cover to access the capacitor. Then, test its continuity (ohms) with a multimeter. If it does not have continuity, you must replace the capacitor with another one.
If the above methods do not work, you will need to buy a new compressor for the dehumidifier. However, weigh the cost of this component against the price of a new unit. Sometimes, investing in a new device is cheaper than getting repairs.
Blocked Airflow
If the fan and compressor are in excellent condition, but the unit fails to dehumidify, consider cleaning the filters. Sometimes, dirt and dust can prevent air from getting inside the coil. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove particles. Or consider submerging the filter in a basin of water and soap. Completely dry it before attaching it to the device.
You can also check the position of the Santa Fe dehumidifier. Walls, doors, and other items can block airflow, especially in an encapsulated crawl space. Place the unit away from these obstructions to ensure proper airflow.
Bad Electrical Parts Or Connections
The Santa Fe dehumidifier has electrical parts that can go bad with constant use. For example, older models use electronic control boards that might burn out and stop working one day. Meanwhile, some units encounter an electrical short that damages the internal components.
By this time, the coverage of your product warranty might already be done. So, the best and safest way to troubleshoot this problem is to hire an electrician. They will know how to test the wiring and electrical components. Then, they will suggest what to do, depending on their findings.
Conclusion
A Santa Fe dehumidifier is among the best products on the market. It can remove moisture in your home, providing comfortable and healthy indoor air quality.
However, this quality dehumidifier can also break down with constant use. The most common problems you may encounter are a full water tank, a faulty fan motor, and frozen coils. Fortunately, these are relatively easy to fix on your own. Refer to our Santa Fe dehumidifier troubleshooting tips above. But most importantly, regular maintenance is key to preventing dehumidification issues.
Are you facing other problems with your Sante Fe dehumidifier? Let us know via our contact page, and we will help you fix them!
