In this engaging episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser chats with Nikki Krueger, National Sales Manager and building science advocate at Santa Fe (a Thermastor brand), often dubbed the "Queen of Dehumidification." They explore the science and application of dedicated dehumidification in homes and buildings across various climates—especially in today's increasingly humid and energy-efficient housing stock.
Nikki shares insights from her 20+ years in the indoor air quality (IAQ) space, detailing her journey from AprilAire to launching her own consultancy, and ultimately joining Santa Fe. She explains how tighter building envelopes, increased ventilation needs, and changes in HVAC coil design have all contributed to the growing demand for standalone dehumidifiers—especially as homes become more efficient, but less capable of latent load removal.
The discussion ranges from dew point awareness and crawlspace strategy to the nuanced interaction between comfort, humidity, and occupant behavior. Nikki emphasizes the importance of diagnostics and whole-house thinking when sizing and applying dehumidifiers. The episode closes with tips on where to find resources (including www.SantaFeProducts.com), and an open invite to meet at training events like the HVACR School Symposium.
Notable Quotes:
"If we change one thing in the house, it's going to change a series of other things."
"Relative humidity is like the horoscope of moisture—it's vague until you understand the temperature context."
"Once you live in a home with proper dehumidification, you'll never go back."
The Products: www.SantaFeProducts.com
The Person: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkikrueger/
The Symposium: https://www.hvacrschool.com/events/7th-annual-hvac-r-training-symposium/
This episode was recorded in July 2025.
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