The catch
Santa Fe Ultra70
The design may not be met by the lower capacity and airflow. And the drain-trap arrangement can wipe out its bare-height advantage.
Side by side
Santa Fe Ultra70 vs AprilAire E100 Compared: E100 adds capacity and fan headroom, Ultra70 keeps eight-inch connections
Quick verdict
E100 is the choice when the calculated load and duct resistance need its higher capacity and fan performance. At 0.2 inches of static pressure, E100 lists 245 CFM and Ultra70 lists 140. Ultra70 is the choice when its 70-pint sizing is enough and an approved eight-inch system or narrower body matters more. Even its low body needs the raised drain-trap arrangement from the current manual. Both call for complete installation checks.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Existing ducts can point toward the smaller model or make the case for the larger one
An existing, appropriately designed route can suit Ultra70’s eight-inch collars, whereas E100 needs ten-inch connections. At a matched 0.2 inches water column, though, E100’s fan curve lists 245 CFM against 140. Keeping the old ducts just to avoid work can therefore be a false saving if the load or resistance goes beyond the smaller unit’s design. An installer should check the whole path. These airflow values say nothing about how many pints either will remove through your installation.
Where this comes from
A matched fan-pressure point and differing collar sizes, set against replacement infrastructure. Airflow is still not the same thing as moisture-removal rate.
The catch
AprilAire E100
Replacement can become more involved with a body that is wider, taller and 9 lb heavier and has larger collars.
Santa Fe Ultra70
- Why pick it
- Ultra70 fits your calculated load, and an eight-inch duct design is worth keeping.
- The narrower body still fits once the drain trap, filter access and A2L installation requirements are included.
- The catch
- The design may not be met by the lower capacity and airflow. And the drain-trap arrangement can wipe out its bare-height advantage.
AprilAire E100
- Why pick it
- Your installation needs the higher matched-condition capacity and stronger fan curve.
- The site has room for ten-inch collars, the larger body and washable-filter service.
- The catch
- Replacement can become more involved with a body that is wider, taller and 9 lb heavier and has larger collars.
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What this page compares
Santa Fe Ultra70 vs AprilAire E100 for an existing ducted home, weighed on pressure-dependent airflow, drain-trap height and the routine of filter replacement.
Someone planning whole-home dehumidification may set a low-profile 70-pint installation against a 100-pint system with a stronger fan curve. Access and ducts that constrain sizing can put the same house in front of this choice.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A verified 70-pint size, along with suitable eight-inch infrastructure
If the whole route meets its design, Ultra70 avoids a collar-size change.
- Santa Fe Ultra70
- Better fit
- AprilAire E100
- Caution
The larger design is warranted by load and duct resistance
Matched-condition capacity and fan airflow are both higher on E100.
- Santa Fe Ultra70
- Caution
- AprilAire E100
- Better fit
A concealed installation with no access to the filter
A clear withdrawal path and routine care are needed for both.
- Santa Fe Ultra70
- Not suitable
- AprilAire E100
- Not suitable
Citing cold conditions as the reason for more capacity
Look at each operating envelope and the conditions behind matched ratings. A larger label from warm conditions is no test of cold-space performance.
- Santa Fe Ultra70
- Caution
- AprilAire E100
- Caution
In practice
Differences you will notice
Existing ducts can point toward the smaller model or make the case for the larger one
An existing, appropriately designed route can suit Ultra70’s eight-inch collars, whereas E100 needs ten-inch connections. At a matched 0.2 inches water column, though, E100’s fan curve lists 245 CFM against 140. Keeping the old ducts just to avoid work can therefore be a false saving if the load or resistance goes beyond the smaller unit’s design. An installer should check the whole path. These airflow values say nothing about how many pints either will remove through your installation.
How we worked this out
A matched fan-pressure point and differing collar sizes, set against replacement infrastructure. Airflow is still not the same thing as moisture-removal rate.
A low body does not make the trap go away
For a low attic, Ultra70’s 12-inch cabinet sounds easier than E100’s 15-inch body. Yet its manual requires the base six inches above the secondary drain pan for the P-trap arrangement, while E100 has no external trap requirement. Once drainage is drawn, which system fits can change. Service access and protection over finished space are still needed for both. Hold off on the lower cabinet until the installer shows where its water will go.
How we worked this out
Different drain requirements, set against low headroom and finished living space. No complete enclosure height is worked out from incomplete clearance data.
Getting at the filter is a recurring job and more than an installation measurement
Replaceable MERV13 media is used in Ultra70, which calls for 13 inches of side filter withdrawal. E100 has washable MERV8 media and needs 15 inches on one side. If storage boxes usually fill that space, both get harder to maintain. Pick the routine your household can sustain, whether that means keeping replacements on hand or cleaning and drying washable media. A clinical benefit or a whole-home air purification outcome does not follow from either filter designation.
How we worked this out
Different media routines and side withdrawal distances, set against long-term storage habits. No health or air-cleaning performance is inferred.
Option A
Santa Fe, Ultra70 exact current part 4044100 A2L
Ultra70
Ultra70 fits your calculated load, and an eight-inch duct design is worth keeping.
- Best for
- Ultra70 fits your calculated load, and an eight-inch duct design is worth keeping.
Facts we checked
- Matched removal rating: 70 pints at 80 F and 60% RH
- Airflow at 0.2 in. water column: 140 CFM
- Body and collars: 12 W × 28 D × 12 H inches, eight-inch collars
- Drain and filter: External trap and replaceable MERV13
Option B
AprilAire, E100 standalone, E100Z package code, no casters or separate controller assumed
E100
Your installation needs the higher matched-condition capacity and stronger fan curve.
- Best for
- Your installation needs the higher matched-condition capacity and stronger fan curve.
Facts we checked
- Matched removal rating: 100 pints at 80 F and 60% RH
- Airflow at 0.2 in. water column: 245 CFM
- Body and collars: 14 W × 26 D × 15 H inches, ten-inch collars
- Drain and filter: No external trap and washable MERV8
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Santa Fe Ultra70 | AprilAire E100 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matched removal rating | 70 pints at 80 F and 60% RH | 100 pints at 80 F and 60% RH | The test conditions stated are what the 30-pint increase relates to. |
| Airflow at 0.2 in. water column | 140 CFM | 245 CFM | At that matched pressure, E100 has more published airflow. |
| Body and collars | 12 W × 28 D × 12 H inches, eight-inch collars | 14 W × 26 D × 15 H inches, ten-inch collars | Ultra70 is longer, although lower and narrower. |
| Drain and filter | External trap and replaceable MERV13 | No external trap and washable MERV8 | Whatever the rating, long-term care and installation are different. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Santa Fe Ultra70
- Make plans for filter replacements, the trap, pan protection and any external pump.
With AprilAire E100
- Add a drain hose, optional pump, duct changes and any external control to the total.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
The smaller design is enough, and the eight-inch infrastructure counts
Go with Santa Fe Ultra70. Those requirements are met by Ultra70.
More headroom is needed for the verified load and duct pressure
Go with AprilAire E100. Documented capacity and airflow are both higher with E100.
Decision guide
Before you buy
You want enough capacity for the home, without replacing a duct route that works or ending up with an installation that is hard to service.
What this page can’t tell you
- Fan airflow is not converted into drying time or health benefit. A2L requirements apply to the current Ultra70.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the dehumidifiers we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe Ultra70 |
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| AprilAire E100 |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Santa Fe Ultra70
Ultra70 fits your calculated load, and an eight-inch duct design is worth keeping.
The narrower body still fits once the drain trap, filter access and A2L installation requirements are included.
See price & reviews on AmazonAprilAire E100
Your installation needs the higher matched-condition capacity and stronger fan curve.
The site has room for ten-inch collars, the larger body and washable-filter service.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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