The short version
AprilAire E080
Duct collars in the box, 2.8 L/kWh, and a 15-inch cabinet.
80 pints a day at 80°F/60%, 2.8 L/kWh, 185 CFM free-air with a published static curve, 10-in. collars in the box, an optional wall control and a 5-year warranty.
Santa Fe Compact70
The 12-inch-tall unit that fits where nothing else in this class does.
A 12-in.-tall cabinet, a MERV-13 filter and a 6-year warranty; the unit that fits where the E080 does not.
AlorAir Sentinel HDi90
Pump in the box and a 33.8°F operating floor, for less than the US-built units.
Rated to 33.8°F with the condensate pump and a remote control in the box.
Who should buy the E080
The E080 is the 80-pint unit HVAC contractors reach for when a crawl space or basement dehumidifier is going to be ducted, and AprilAire's spec sheet (Form 961) explains why. It is rated at 80 pints a day at 80°F/60% RH and 65 pints at 73°F/60%, the DOE whole-home condition; it runs at 2.8 L/kWh; its blower moves 185 CFM free-air and still 135 CFM against 0.2 in. w.c. of static; and the 10-in. collars and the backdraft damper are in the box. AprilAire builds it in Madison, Wisconsin, backs it for five years, and the current model carries ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 recognition.
If you have 20 in. or more of clearance along the path from the hatch, a crawl space divided by footing walls, a tie-in to the house return, or a homeowner who wants to read and set humidity from a hallway instead of from under the house, this is the unit. The optional Model 76 wall control sells it on every job where the owner has crawled 40 ft on a vapor barrier once.
Who should not
Do not buy it for a crawl space with less than about 18 in. of clearance. At 15 in. tall (14 in. wide, 26 in. long, 63 lb, before the feet and the collars) it does not go under low joists with a pad and a drain fitting under it; the 12-in.-tall Santa Fe Compact70 does, and our Santa Fe Compact70 review covers that case.
Do not buy it for a cold, vented crawl space you will not seal. AprilAire rates dehumidification from 50°F to 104°F with a 40°F dew point minimum, essentially Santa Fe's floor, and its manual says frosting in cool, dry inlet air is normal in spring and fall; the AlorAir Sentinel HDi90 is rated to 33.8°F. Do not expect a pump or a drain hose in the box: the drain is a 3/4-in. MNPT fitting with a barbed adapter, and a condensate pump is your purchase. And read the warranty before a DIY install: it is void if defects result from failure to have the unit installed by a qualified heating and air conditioning contractor.
What it is
The E080 is a horizontal cabinet dehumidifier, 1/2-in. EPS-insulated, with a corrosion-resistant aluminum coil, an R-410A circuit and a blower sized for duct. Air enters through a washable MERV 8 filter (part 5881, nominal 13.5 by 12 in.) at the 10-in. inlet collar and leaves through a 10-in. outlet collar fitted with the backdraft damper; the outlet can be moved to the end or the top of the cabinet. The built-in digital control mounts on the top or the inlet side and reports what the unit is doing: setting, air sampling, dehumidifying, defrosting, clean filter, and fault codes E1 through E9.
AprilAire sells two versions: the E080 with an 8-ft power cord and plug, and the E080H, hardwired with no cord. Both are 120 V, 5.1 A. The optional Model 76 Dehumidifier Control is a wall-mounted humidistat with a 40 to 80% RH range (or seven dryness settings), ±5% RH accuracy, a 3% differential and a 40°F dew point low limit, wired back to the unit on four low-voltage conductors; the unit also accepts a 24 VAC external call from a thermostat or automation panel. The Model 5822 hanging kit (400-lb working load) and the Model 5546 Living Space Duct Kit are the other accessories that matter.
AprilAire E080
Duct collars in the box, 2.8 L/kWh, and a 15-inch cabinet.
Best for crawl spaces and basements with 20 in. or more of clearance where you want to duct the unit or add a wall control.
Score breakdown
| Right-sized moisture removal | 80 | 10.0 |
| Efficiency | 2.8 | 8.3 |
| Cold crawl space performance | 50 | 6.7 |
| Warranty | 5 | 8.0 |
| Fits a low crawl space | 15 | 7.0 |
| Quietness | 45 | 10.0 |
| Coverage | 4400 | 10.0 |
| Condensate pump included | false | 0.0 |
| Ductable | true | 10.0 |
| Airflow | 185 | 4.3 |
Stars are DryHomeLab's rating from the published rubric (score ÷ 2, to the half star). Not a customer rating.
- 2.8 L/kWh at 80°F/60%; ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 recognition
- 10 in. inlet and outlet duct collars included
- 45 dBA when ducted; 135 CFM at 0.2 in. w.c.
- Built in the USA, 5-year warranty, optional Model 76 wall control
- 15 in. tall; 3 in. more than the Compact70
- MERV 8 filter, not MERV 13
- 50°F minimum dehumidification temperature (40°F dew point floor)
- No pump or drain hose in the box
The score comes from our published rubric for crawl space and whole-home dehumidifiers. The E080 earns it on 2.8 L/kWh, 80 pints at the rating condition, the 4,400 sq ft whole-house coverage figure, duct collars on the cabinet, a remote control option and a 5-year warranty; it gives points back on the 50°F floor, the 15-in. height and a pump that is not included. Our verdict from the crawl spaces we worked: when the unit is going to be ducted, this is the one to buy, and the static-pressure curve on its spec sheet is the reason.
Customer reviews: read them on Amazon (paid link). We link to them and never copy or score them.
Verified specs
Every figure below comes from AprilAire's E080/E080H specification sheet (Form 961), its installation and owner's manual (B2210022A, April 2022) or the AprilAire product page. The manual's drawing shows a 6-ft cord; the spec sheet and the product page both say 8 ft, so we use 8 ft and note the disagreement.
| Capacity (AHAM 80°F/60%) | 80 pints/day |
|---|---|
| Coverage | 4,400 sq ft |
| Energy factor | 2.8 L/kWh |
| Airflow | 185 CFM |
| Height | 15 in |
| Weight | 63 lb |
| Min. operating temp | 50 °F |
| Duct collars | Yes |
| Condensate pump included | No |
| Filter | MERV 8 washable (part 5881) |
| Remote humidistat option | Yes |
| Noise | 45 dB |
| Current draw | 5.1 A |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Made in | USA |
Figures the table does not carry: 65 pints a day and 2.35 L/kWh at 73°F/60% RH; airflow 135 CFM at 0.2 in. w.c. and 85 at 0.4, with 0.4 in. w.c. the maximum system static AprilAire allows; a 40°F dew point minimum on the 50°F to 104°F dehumidification range; discharge air temperature rise 10°F to 30°F; 14 in. wide and 26 in. long, with the 15-in. height excluding feet adjustable from 0.38 to 2.00 in.; 81 lb shipping; 120 VAC, 8-ft cord on the E080, hardwired E080H; 10-in. collars with a backdraft damper; 3/4-in. MNPT drain with threaded and hose-barb adapters included; the 45 dBA figure is measured ducted; R-410A; Model 76 control range 40 to 80% RH, ±5% RH accuracy, 3% differential; Model 5822 hanging kit rated 400 lb; the five years run from the date of installation.
Where it shines
It is built to be ducted. The collars and the damper are on the cabinet, the outlet moves to the top or the end, and AprilAire publishes the number that matters for a duct run: 135 CFM at 0.2 in. w.c. and 85 at 0.4, with 0.4 the ceiling. The manual lays out four duct configurations, from main-return-to-main-return whole-home dehumidification to dedicated grilles with the 5546 kit. Santa Fe publishes a single free-air figure for the Compact70 and sells the kit separately. For a divided crawl space or a tie-in to the air handler, that difference decides the purchase.
Efficiency. 2.8 L/kWh at 80°F/60% and 2.35 at 73°F/60% is the best pair in this size among the units we cover, and the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 listing is third-party confirmation. These units run for months; the efficiency figure is the power bill.
The Model 76. A humidistat in the hallway reading the crawl space, with the setpoint, the readout and the filter reminder where somebody will see them. On the crawl space jobs we worked, the dehumidifier that failed quietly was almost always the one nobody could see.
A control that tells you what is wrong. The onboard display reports defrost, a dirty filter and nine fault codes, and E8 tells you the inlet air is out of range rather than leaving you to guess why the unit sat idle in March. A dial humidistat cannot do that.
Quiet when ducted, with the right electrical options. 45 dBA ducted is the quietest published figure in the class, the E080H suits a crawl space with no receptacle, and the 24 VAC input lets a thermostat or automation panel call for dehumidification.
Where it falls short
Height. Fifteen inches plus feet is 3 in. more than the Compact70, and in a crawl space that 3 in. is often the whole decision. Measure the lowest point on the path from the hatch before you order.
The 50°F floor and the defrost season. Identical in practice to Santa Fe's 49°F. AprilAire's manual is honest that frosting is normal in cool, dry air; what it means is that an unsealed crawl space in a cold climate gets little drying from October to April. Seal the space first; our crawl space humidity guide covers the sequence.
MERV 8. A washable dust filter, rinsed every six months when the CLEAN FILTER reminder comes up. Fine for a crawl space; a step down from the Compact70's MERV-13 if the unit will serve living space through a duct.
Nothing in the box for drainage beyond fittings. A barbed adapter and a threaded adapter, no hose, no pump. The manual's rules are simple but strict: 3/4-in. PVC or 3/4-in. flexible tubing with a constant downward slope, no metal fittings, hand-tight threads, a cleanout tee, and a pan with a float switch or the pump's overflow terminals wired to stop the unit. Our continuous drain guide covers all of it.
The warranty clause. Five years from installation on defects, parts only, no labor, and void if the defects result from failure to have the unit installed by a qualified heating and air conditioning contractor. AprilAire sells through a dealer network and the clause reflects that. Install it yourself and you are betting on the unit rather than its paper; a reasonable bet, but know you are making it.
The coverage number. AprilAire's 'whole houses up to 4,400 sq ft' is a sealed, conditioned whole-house figure. Do not apply it to a crawl space; use the dehumidifier size calculator with the crawl space's own square footage and 25 percent of headroom.
Installation notes
AprilAire's manual asks for installation, service and maintenance by a qualified service technician, and the warranty clause backs that up. Whoever does the work, these are the rules from the manual and the spec sheet, with our notes:
- Seal and clear first. Vents closed, vapor barrier taped and run up the walls, bulk water fixed. Then confirm 20 in. or more of clearance along the whole path to the spot.
- Placement and clearance. Allow 6 in. minimum for airflow, 15 in. on either side for filter removal, and working room on the electrical-service side for service and the drain. In or above a finished space, set the unit in or above a condensate pan. Use the Model 5822 hanging kit or risers where the floor can flood or a pump needs height under the drain. Level the unit with the top-mounted bubble; leveling is what makes it drain.
- Drain. Hard pipe: a 3/4-in. PVC slip by 3/4-in. MNPT fitting into Schedule 40 PVC. Flexible: the hose-barb adapter into 3/4-in. tubing. Constant downward slope, no metal fittings, hand-tight threads, a capped tee for cleaning, no tubing that curls upward. With a pump, mount it in the pan and wire its float switch or overflow terminals to the unit so an overflow stops the compressor.
- Ducting. 10-in. insulated duct in any unconditioned space; keep the outlet run straight for at least the first 4 in. so the damper works; stay under 0.4 in. w.c. of total static measured with the HVAC fan on high. Move the outlet cover to whichever position (top or end) you do not use.
- Power and control wiring. 120 V, 5.1 A, a dedicated receptacle within reach of the cord (GFCI-protected where the space can get wet), or the E080H hardwired. Control wiring is 18 to 22 AWG: the Model 76 on the + - A B terminals, an external 24 VAC call on the DH terminals. The external input has a three-minute delay after power-up.
- Settings and maintenance. AprilAire recommends an initial setting between 55% and 59%, or dryness level 3 of 7 on the Model 76; we run a crawl space at 50 to 55% once it has stabilized. Check and clean the filter and drain every six months; the control reminds you.
Alternatives
Santa Fe Compact70. The unit for under 18 in. of clearance: 70 pints at 80°F/60%, 2.6 L/kWh, 150 CFM, a MERV-13 filter standard and a 6-year warranty, with the pump, duct kit and a wall dehumidistat as extras. Our Santa Fe Compact70 review covers it alone; the Santa Fe vs AprilAire comparison goes line by line.
AlorAir Sentinel HDi90. 90 pints, rated to 33.8°F, with the condensate pump and a remote control in the box and a 6-year warranty, at 17.7 in. tall. The pick for a cold or partly sealed crawl space, and the one to compare once a pump is on the AprilAire order.
AprilAire E100. The same 15-in. cabinet with a bigger blower: 100 pints at 80°F/60%, 85 at 73°F/60%, 280 CFM free-air, 6.9 A, 0.6 in. w.c. maximum static, 5-year warranty. Buy it instead of the E080 for a crawl space over roughly 2,500 sq ft, a long duct run, or a crawl space and basement on one unit.
Santa Fe Ultra98. The ducted whole-house alternative: 100 pints, about 2.9 L/kWh, 320 CFM, MERV-13 and 47.5 dBA in a 19.5-in.-tall cabinet that needs an external control; more machine than a crawl space alone needs.
All of them are scored in the best crawl space dehumidifier roundup.
How we score
Every product gets a DryHomeLab score out of 10 from a published rubric for its category: the specs that matter (capacity, coverage, flow at head height, sensor response, warranty) are verified against manufacturer documentation and weighted by how much they affect real-world drying and protection. Where our restoration crews have run the gear, field notes can move a score by at most 1.5 points, and the note is published. We never use Amazon star ratings. Read the full methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Does the AprilAire E080 come with a pump or a drain hose?
No. The box holds the unit, 10-in. inlet and outlet collars, the backdraft damper, leveling feet, screws, a T20 Torx bit, a barbed drain fitting, the 8-ft power cord, the washable MERV 8 filter and the manual. The drain is a 3/4-in. MNPT fitting; you supply 3/4-in. PVC or flexible tubing with a constant downward slope, and a condensate pump if there is no fall to a drain. AprilAire's manual wants the pump's float switch or overflow terminals wired to stop the unit.
Can I install the AprilAire E080 myself?
Mechanically, yes: level it, connect a drain, plug it in and set the humidity. But AprilAire's manual asks for a qualified service technician, and its limited warranty is void if defects result from failure to have the unit installed by a qualified heating and air conditioning contractor, so a DIY install is a bet on the unit rather than on the warranty. If you are ducting it or hardwiring the E080H, use a contractor and keep the invoice; the five years run from the installation date.
What is the difference between the AprilAire E080 and the E100?
The same 14-by-15-by-26-in. cabinet, filter, collars and 5-year warranty with a larger blower and compressor. The E080 is rated at 80 pints a day at 80°F/60% (65 at 73°F/60%), 2.8 L/kWh, 185 CFM free-air, 5.1 A and 0.4 in. w.c. maximum static. The E100 is rated at 100 pints (85 at 73°F/60%), 2.6 L/kWh, 280 CFM, 6.9 A and 0.6 in. w.c. Choose the E100 for spaces over roughly 2,500 sq ft, long duct runs, or a crawl space and basement on one unit.
Will the AprilAire E080 work in a cold crawl space?
Down to its rated floor. AprilAire specifies dehumidification from 50°F to 104°F inlet air with a 40°F dew point minimum; outside that range the control shows E8 and waits for conditions to return, and the display reads DEFROSTING while frost clears in cool, dry air. In a sealed crawl space that is a few weeks a year; in a vented one in a cold climate it is most of the heating season. Seal the space first, or choose a unit rated to 33.8°F such as the AlorAir Sentinel HDi90.
How much space does the E080 cover?
AprilAire's product page says whole houses up to 4,400 sq ft, a figure for a sealed, conditioned house served through the duct system. For a crawl space, size on the crawl space's own area: the unit removes 80 pints a day at 80°F/60% RH and 65 pints at 73°F/60%, and a moderately sealed crawl space of about 2,000 to 2,500 sq ft is a comfortable match. Our calculator at /tools/dehumidifier-size-calculator does the math with 25 percent of headroom.
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DryHomeLab is written and reviewed by the team behind HelpMeNow.com, a marketplace that connects homeowners with vetted local contractors for water-damage restoration, plumbing and waterproofing. Before HelpMeNow the same team ran a 24/7 water-damage restoration company in the Seattle area; the equipment on this site is what we specified, bought and ran on real water losses. We publish the rubric behind every score.
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