Friday, January 31, 2014

Panasonic MC-UL815 Bagless "Jet Turn" Upright Vacuum Cleaner

I spent about 3 weeks reading upright vacuum reviews ended up buying one that did not have a single review. We had a problem to begin with they sent me the 810 model 2 times before I received the one I ordered. I was looking for something lightweight, smaller cleaning path, and the ability to shut off the roller brush for bare floor and above carpet cleaning.

I've only used it two times and the jet turn takes a little getting use to. It has tremendous suction. It picked up a lot dirt that my old oreck passed over.

I like the red and green light seems to work fine. The only thing missing is a wand to allow you to get the occassional spider webb on the ceiling. Noise wise it isn't too bad, it's quieter than my oreck.

I had a little problem figuring out how to get to the hepa filter and belt. It looks like they would be pretty easy to replace when the need arises. Emptying the dirt container is relatively easy. Overall I like the vacuum and for $141 I would recommend it. P.S. the shipping mistakes were not that of Amazon it was another vendor selling thru Amazon.

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Bamboo Charcoal Air Freshening Cube

These air fresheners are very impressive. We all know that charcoal absorbs impurities, but I guess I didn't expect so much from just a small cube of it. I use mine in the hall area where the furnace air-intake is situated. I realized that all the "stale" air in the house was passing through this area, so this would be a good spot to freshen things up before the air recirculated through the house. (Furnace filters catch dust, but they don't really do much for cooking odors, chemical impurities, and so forth.) So I just sat one of the little charcoal cubes on a shelf in the hall, and now the area always smells fresh. Another nice aspect of the cubes? They're covered in black fabric. This turns out to make them very unobtrusive ... they practically disappear into the background.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Honeywell HRF-14 Pure HEPA Permanent Replacement Filter

I am currently of the opinion that people who do not have to use the enclosed, foam spacer will be happier using these stacking filters that those of us who have to use one (or two). The first reviewer states in his (excellent) review that his machine uses two of these and no spacer. My Honeywell Environcare 50250 uses three and one spacer. When these stacking filters need replacing, I am going to order the one piece replacement filter noted on the bottom of my 50250, filter 24000.

As a requirement of design, there is less HEPA material in three stacked filters then a solid HEPA one. The foam spacer(s) also means some machines will have even less HEPA material for air to go through than the HEPA filter that originally came with the machine: air sucked through the foam is _not_ cleaned, before expelled back into the room, the way air that goes through the HEPA material is.

Rounding to the closest dollar, my machine requires $60. worth of these stacking replacement filters if purchased through Amazon with free shipping. This is less than the one piece, 24000 costs from vendors who sell through Amazon. Via an A9 web search for the 24000 replacement filter, however, I discovered that it can be purchased from a few places for a few dollars less than the three HRF-14s my machine requires, including S/H ($58. rounded off).

If anyone else uses a Honeywell air cleaner that can use stacking replacement filters in a room with a wood stove, opt for the one piece replacement filter size noted under your machine if you will have to use a spacer or two. Mine is used in a room with a wood stove and that seemingly insignificant 1" thickness of spacer surprisingly did make a negative difference in the air expelled compared with the HEPA filter that came with the machine (a 24000 filter).

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Clean Air Distributing 2552 1-Gallon Stainless Steel Counter Top Compost Pail

I love the way my little compost pail looks from the outside. There are a couple of drawbacks, however. First of all, after a few weeks of use, it has begun to rust slightly on the inside. I worry that after awhile it will need to be replaced. Second of all, while the filter keeps the smell from bothering us humans, fruit flies can still smell the fruit scraps inside. I went to clean my bucket out and found the filter full of fruit fly maggots. The holes in the lid allow the flies to get down into the filter. So, I threw away the filter and now have to empty my pail a couple of times each day to ensure I don't have a smelly mess or an infestation of fruit flies in my kitchen. With the price of this bucket I certainly didn't expect rust or fruit flies.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Citrus Magic Solid Lavender Escape Odor Absorber

I bought the citrus scent air freshened which smelled great. I was very happy when I saw they made a lavender scent and bought 2. Big mistake, it smells like a yellow menthol cough drop and is very overwhelming. Had to put them outside. I do not recommend this scent.

83150 Sears/Kenmore Air Cleaner 3-Stage Replacement Filter

My husband and I have a 153 pound Great Dane and lab mix that sheds like a beast. These filters are great for pet dander and pet hair as well as household dust. You would be amazed to see all the hair that this little filter can catch. Its an excellent product for the money.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Filtrete 4WH-QCTO-S01 High Performance Whole House System

We are lucky because when we ordered the house we had a loop made for our soft water filter. That's why I was able to easily hook this up without a problem, I also have decent amount of plumbing knowledge. If you do not have a water loop you will somehow have to find out where your water lines are in your house and open up the wall and make a loop, if that is to much for you either get a plumber to do it or just go for a under the sink filter if you only want it for drinking purposes.

I am very pleased with this filter since my hard water conditioner doesn't take out any of the bad stuff. You can feel it when you are taking a shower, our clothes come out without a smell after washing them, and our dishes do not spot anymore. I still have our RO filter hooked up to our sink but that's mainly for taste and to catch what this filter might not catch.

I do not recommend this if you are not able to hook this up and don't want to pay a plumber to attach it. If you can hook it up get it, you wont be sorry.

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EnzyMagicTM 91 Multi Purpose Cleaner

No need to write 20 words just read the rating I've written: Worhtless A rip off It does not work at all. I have tried also without dilution. I consider I was ripped off

Monday, January 27, 2014

Hoover U6439-900 Self-Propelled WindTunnel Ultra Upright Vacuum Cleaner

I write this review only by chance, because my real reason for visiting Amazon.com today is to replace this very product.

I have always trusted Consumer Reports, finding their reviews pretty much on the money, but despite their glowing report on this product, (quoted here by another reviewer) reality has proved far less luminous.

I have struggled with this vac for over a year now, and honestly, I wish I had never bought it! If it hadn't cost so darn much, I'd have tossed it out long ago.

On the positive side, this machine has plenty of suction but unless you have miles of unobstructed wall-to-wall carpet and a single level home, it simply sucks! The self-propelled feature is quite helpful: more on that farther down.

The vac is too bulky to fit under/between most of my furniture. Even if the head gets under, the body does not lay flat enough to follow. I spend WAY too much time on my hands and knees struggling with the poorly placed hose, extensions and powered brush attachment to get under normal items like chairs. In addition, its wimpy "powered" brush (which spins only by suction with no motor of its own) only picks up light surface dirt anyway. Push down harder and it just stops turning. BAH!

As another reviewer mentioned, beware when using the tools on this vac. Mine also falls over all the time (timber!) and because it weighs a freaking ton, beware of falling over yourself if you have to carry it upstairs! GADS! And forget cleaning those stairs on the way up, too. I had to purchase another small, hand-held vac for that.

Other complaints: The adjusters for bare floor/carpet are very hard to move and break easily. It does not clean close to walls at all (get out that hose again!). The bags are not all that easy to change, and quite pricey. It eats belts. And why, oh WHY, does the cord (which you have to wind up yourself no cord reel) come out on the bottom?

Did I mention it's HEAVY?? If it weren't self-propelled, it would be immobile. The vac cannot be rolled at all when turned off, making storage difficult.

In summary, unless your home resembles a hotel lobby pass this one up.

Austin Air Bedroom Machine Air Purifier

I have been looking for a good air cleaner to help with my allergies this cleaner seems to fit the bill. All of my symptoms have been greatly reduced to the point that I'm thinking of buying a second one to filter the entire house. The unit has a small foot print approximately a square foot and less than 2' tall, so it doesn't require a lot of space. The draw back is the unit is fairly noisy but I am willing to put up with it to feel this much better!

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Sharp FP-A28UW Plasmacluster Air Purifier

I've been looking for a solution in my bedroom to clean the air and supplement "white noise", this product has met my expectations.

I've always slept with a fan to make background noise, and noticed that over time dust would accumulate on the blades and fan grate. After cleaning the fan the last time, I strapped a furnace filter to the back of the fan simply to keep the fan cleaner longer. The furnace filter had taken a LOT of dust out of the air. It was then that I decided to look for a better solution.

I am intrigued by the Plasmacluster claims of "adding moisture", "killing airborne microbes and virues" and "removing odors", but one thing doesn't make sense: the positive and negative ions the same ones found in nature are what is responsible for these effects? Does that mean that you could simply open the window and let some fresh air in? If they are claiming that the Plasmacluster technology can be used as a substitution for an open window, I am impressed.

I disassembled the unit and it is very simple inside: a blower, and a little Plasmacluster module facing into the blower. On the back is a white plastic cover with rounded holes and a fine mesh pre-filter. Open the cover and you can remove or replace the HEPA style filter: it is 11.25"x12.25". Sharp claims that it will last 2 years; I cannot find a replacement right now, hopefully they will be available when I need one (or I may find a retrofit or design my own).

I can hear the Plasmacluster Ion generator when its turned on, on low fan speed it sound like its turning on/off several times a second (sounds like a flutter), on medium fan speed it turns on/off every second (sounds like a vibrating cellphone in the couch), and on high fan speed you can't hear it over the fan. Low fan speed is very quiet.

This Sharp Plasmacluster is a "High Density 7000" unit. If you're more interested in the Ion technology, you should look for the units labeled "High Density 25000". Otherwise, I am not sure if I can recommend this product to you... I like it, but I don't "notice" the ions. I do know that it is turning the air over 4 times per hour in my bedroom (on medium), and I think it makes a difference when I sleep, but I don't think this is the most economical solution. I do not suffer from allergies, but I know the air in my room is cleaner. If Sharp can provide me with an excellent warranty and/or long service life, then I can recommend it. (one last note, its made in Thailand, not Japan)

Rabbit Air MinusA2 filter replacement kit

I bought the Rabbit Air Minus A2 system and this filter kit specifically because I was living overseas in Naples, Italy. The air is very polluted and this made a HUGE difference in the air quality in our Villa. A MUST HAVE. This system is the best combined HEPA/carbon filter product out on the market. It specifically has a filter that targets toxins. If you live where the air quality is poor because there is constant burning of trash, farm waste, leaves, and/or wood you should buy this system. Yes it is very expensive, but can you really put a price on your health. The system works like a champ. I had (2) running 24 hrs/ 7 days a week for just over 2 years. It had no issues!

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Portable Air Purifier

Be careful with this one. The company pays people to leave positive reviews of it all over the internet. Always look at the date and manner in which the reviews were written. If many reviews from "different" buyers with similar writing style were all written on the same day, then you know what's going on. As with this product.

Ionic Smoke Eliminating Ashtray

  • This quiet motorized smokeless ashtray is a welcome addition to your car or home.This handy device actually pulls in the smoke and uses an activated carbon filter to turn your smoke into fresh air!
  • Ionic Smoke Eliminating Ashtray for Car or Home

I was very disappointed in this product, as the fan is very weak and you need to put the cigarette far back into the the holder to keep the smoke inside. That area could be a little larger. You also have to push the cigarette down firmly, almost to the point of tearing or breaking it,to get it to stay in the holder; otherwise, it falls right out. I returned the item for a refund. They received the returned item two weeks ago and I have yet to receive a refund. I do not plan to order anything from this company again.

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Friday, January 24, 2014

Oreck AirInstinct HEPA Large Room Air Purifier

I have owned a number of air cleaners over the years. Most recently, I placed two Hoover Air Purifier with TiO2 Technology WH10600 in the rooms of my children to combat an unusually bad allergy season. Prior, I also owned two Winix PlasmaWave 5300 Air Cleaner Model, sold by Sears and marketed as Kenmore Plasma Air cleaners (made by same company). I rate the Hoover Air Purifier with TiO2 Technology WH10600 a better air cleaner. It's also about $100 cheaper than the Oreck as of the date of this review.

The Oreck AirInstinct is clearly targeting the advanced air cleaner market. This market is typically differentiated primarily through price and certain functions. This air cleaner offers true HEPA performance and many functional (operationally) options. However, it is seemingly missing proven technology such as UV filters incorporated in many other products and at a lesser price. Where the Oreck shines is in it's near silent operation, style, form (can fit up against a wall), various modes, sleep function, and 3 year HEPA filter, and 3 year odor filter. The value of the 3 year filters equates to anywhere from $125$400 depending on the comparison air cleaner (i.e. Plasma Replacement filters can be very expensive). The replacement filters for the Hoover Air Purifier with TiO2 Technology WH10600 will run about $85 over the course of 3 years of average household use. I did not mention the so called "mood light" because who really cares?

The unit is quality built and does not feel cheap in any manner. Operationally, the Oreck runs and looks great. It's very quiet and cleaned the air in our entire Master Bedroom pretty quickly. The filter system is comprised of three filters. The HEPA, odor, and pre-filter. In my opinion, the odor filter did nothing to remove odors (another reviewer noted this as well). My wife's perfume for example, was still evident even two hours later with the air cleaner running the entire time. The automatic operation features of the product makes it "plug and play." This includes the auto sleep feature that reduces the airflow of the unit when it senses the lights have been out for about three minutes. When the lights come back on, after a few minutes, the air flow is increased automatically. I like these features as they are more advanced than the 3 power stage and auto features associated with most of the units on the market today. But the sleep feature can be a problem if you intend the unit to run at full power regardless of the time of day.

It is important to note that when purchasing air cleaner units, they are rated for room size. In the case of this product, it is rated for a room not to exceed 248 square feet (Hoover is rated at 79 square feet). At this price point, I expect better performance in terms of room size that would let me use the unit in larger rooms. I would gladly give up the mood light and sleep function as a trade off. Also, as I previously mentioned, this product does not have any UV light to kill germs. While many people laugh at such a feature, I can tell you first hand it works when properly applied by room size. Typically, you will either use the UV light with a Titanium Dioxide coated screen or a Plasma generator, which is the functional equivalent of an air ionizer.

The bottom line is that the Oreck is a heavy duty, quality built, HEPA air cleaner without germ killing capabilitythat will save you the expense of replacing filters at least every year, if not more often. As of the date of this review, there has been a significant price fluctuation downward from the MSRP, previous Amazon price, and current price. I believe this reflects the fact that it does not have germ killing capability and people are opting for the cheaper units with such a capability. (Don't let the out of stock warning fool you, they only had 8 units when it first went online). I gave this unit 4 stars because it does what it says it does and does so quietly.

Unistar 4-in-1 Swamp Cooler

pros:

saves you in energy bills since it can cool the room instead of using the ac

filters are washable

the included remote gives you controls even in bed

the 30 min interval timer feature is great specially when it gets too cold at night

cons:

the ionizer feature is more of a display light than anything

needs a weekly maintenance. water mineral builds up at the bottom, if you let it sit for more than a week, taking it out posts a problem.

if you even find the time to actually clean the insides of the fan and and take out the dusts and water deposits, it would take a lot of patients since the machine wasn't designed for easy disassemble. (you'll need a thin long screw driver to take out some of the screws.)

bottom line:

machine is great as an alternative humidifier and room fan. It is a high maintenance machine make sure you clean it every week or two.

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Thursday, January 23, 2014

Whirlpool 1183051K Hepa Filter

Filter fits the small whirlpool purifier perfectly! It has a rubber gasket to make a tight seal around the filter when its installed. Kind of pricey, but very high quaility!

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18x25x1-MERV 12 A/C Furnace Air Filters by Nordic Pure

I have been shopping for a MERV 11 or 12 or better filter for my air conditioning unit on Amazon, and narrowed it down to two competitive products:

1) 3M Filtrete Micro Allergen Reduction Filters, 1000 MPR, 6-pack, $70.49

2) Nordic Pure AC Furnace Air Filters MERV 12, Box of 6 (This product), $50.33

In order to compare these products, I collected the following info for myself and for others that read my reviews:

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. It is a number from a test method designed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The number is intended to help people compare filters. Generally speaking, a higher MERV rating indicates better filter performance. Filters with a merv rating of 9 to 12 are used in commercial and industrial applications and will stop particles in the 1 to 3 micron range. These filters are a great choice for home owners who want the best dust control possible.

1000 MPR is equivalent to MERV 11. 1000 MPR Performance Rating captures:

1) Airborne micro particles, including smoke.

2) Airborne allergens, including pollen, pet dander, mold and bacteria.

3) Large particles like dust and lint.

MERV 12 is a better rating than 1000 MPR. It captures:

1) Legionella,

2) Humidifier Dust,

3) Smoke,

4) Copier Toner,

5) Rigid Cell Filters,

6) Face Powder,

7) Paint Pigments,

8) Insecticide Dust

Pleated Air Filters Are Among The Top Performers In The Heating, Ventilation And Air Conditioning industry. Electrostatic furnace filters are becoming very popular with home owners who want to achieve better air quality in their homes. These air filters are designed to replace any type of panel filter or frame type air filter you currently use in your heating and air conditioning equipment.

Nordic Pure manufactures pleated air filters with MERV 12 and MERV 13 ratings which means it is over 97 percent efficient. This is a very high rating for pleated filters. They are able to attain this very high rating by incorporating electrostatic characteristics in the pleated design. Another factor that makes their filters appealing is they don't support the growth of bacteria, fungi or mold and they capture 97.8% of the microscopic airborne dust, pollen, allergens, mold spores, pet dander, bacteria and particulates carrying bacteria and viruses in the air.

On top of that, if you compare the prices, this product is a winner. And this is free shiping! I can't find another seller that is any better than this!

After installation I feel my indoor air is fresher, and air quality is better. Also seemed like the AC unit didn't have to run as long before it stopped. This is to compare my memory of the old and probably semi-clogged filters.

I am happy with this product. No regret. I am planning to replace it every 6 months.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Conair Extreme Hand Held Fabric Steamer

First I bought the more expensive Shark steamer; bad choice it's way too heavy to hold for any length of time and it does take a long time to heat and really doesn't get wrinkles out. This Conair steamer is absolutely everything that Shark isn't. It's easy to handle, not heavy, gets hot right away really hot. Has two settings low and high heat; both work great for levis or silk blouses. I recommend this steamer very highly. One of the best purchases I have made in awhile.

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48 Electrolux Type C Tank Model Vacuum Cleaner Bags 4 Ply

I have twice purchased this exact ad for vacuum bags "48 Electroux Type C Tank Model Vacuum Cleaner Bags 4 Ply" The title indicates that you'll get 48 bags. The description indicates that you'll get 50 loose bags, and then both orders came with only 12 bags. Same mistake twice, even after I had explained the first time that I had only received 12 instead of 48. For this price, it's comparable to the bags that I can get at my Walmart and CVS stores locally ($6 for a 3 pack). If I had actually received 48 (or 50), then it would have been a great savings. Someone should change the title/description of these bags.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Mighty Pump - Easily Clears A/C Drain Lines

I just used the Mighty Pump for the first time yesterday on my A/C drain line and was really impressed in the amount of suction power it had. I could not believe the amount of debris that came out of my drain line. It was so easy and fast to use. It is the best product I ever found to clean my drain line. The cost of the pump is less than what it would have cost me to have a service company come out one time to clear my drain line. I highly recommend this product.

Hunter 30090 11-Feet by 13-Feet True Hepa Room Air Purifier

I'm so torn on this product. It really is a great air purifier, and it has comes with various settings so you can adjust it to your room and liking. It is fairly quiet compared to some other smaller air purifiers I've used, but it certainly isn't whisper quiet (which, to be fair, they don't claim it to be).

The reason I'm torn is the price of the replacement air filters. I purchased this last year (2009) for my dad to use in his bedroom. He was a heavy smoker, and when winter was approaching, it was too cold to go outside. He passed earlier this year (2010), and my mom got out the air purifier to use in another part of the house. We could tell that it needed the filters replaced.

Unfortunately, the two replacement filters cost as much if not a little more than the unit itself. This is completely UNACCEPTABLE! I did some searching online, and I was able to find some filters that were less expensive, but when you added shipping, the price was still only $10-15 less than a new unit. She really wanted an air purifier so she just went ahead and bought a whole new unit instead of the replacement filters (since it was cheaper). That just doesn't make sense.

PROS: Great air purifier with adjustable settings at a low price

CONS: Replacement filters are WAY TOO EXPENSIVE.

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Monday, January 20, 2014

Dirt Devil F1 Hepa Filter

I received the two air filters and they are not original Dirt Devil HEPA filters. I tried one filter and it is not correct since the vacuum does not work with it (loss of suction, burning smell from the vacuum, and the filter has a plastic coating which feels completely different from the regular "paper" feel of the filter I bought in the store last year). I even saved my older original Dirt Devil filter and the vacuum works fine with it (before and after trying the filter they sent).

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16x20x1 (15.6 x 19.6) Filtrete 1250 Ultra Allergen Filter by 3M

It is a great filter to eliminate dust in the air and contain really fine particles. Using it in a paint room and it prevents overspray to other areas.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

LG Black 65 Pint Portable Dehumidifier

This review compares these big dehumidifiers:

Frigidaire 70 pint (FAD704DUD)

SoleusAir 70 pint (DP1-70-03)

LG 65 pint (LG651EBL)

NOTES/WARNINGS:

-------------------

If you have a medical/allergy, anti-mold, archival, or otherwise serious reason to maintain a humidity range you need to get something SEPARATE TO MEASURE HUMIDITY. The Frigidaire and SoleusAir thought the humidity was 15-25 RH higher than it was as measured by 2 humidity instruments including a data logger. The LG doesn't show what it thinks the humidity is.

Be sure to have a 3-PRONG OUTLET for each dehumidifier you get, NO 2-prong with adapter shortcuts, you want this kind of appliance grounded, like a refrigerator or air conditioner.

Running big dehumidifiers non-stop often costs hundreds of dollars per year each and it may only bring the humidity lower than needed for comfort, medical, or archival purpose. Consider aiming for just below your target, for example 43 RH to keep below 45 RH rather than continuous running to get as low as possible. Of course, if it takes continuously running to get to the target, ignore this suggestion :).

I highly suggest getting no-fault extended warranty for 2+ years if you can get it for any of these, even though I rarely bother with them for other products.

If you need to reliably pump a few feet up to get into a sink (for drainage), for example, ignore all of this and look at something like the Friedrich 70 pint with the built-in pump.

If you have cats or dogs the water isn't drinking water, so if you use the gravity drain don't forget to contrive a way to get the water down under the grate. What I did was get some 1/4" flexible transparent tubing, a brass adapter from garden hose size on the back of the unit to 1/4", and a mini elbow to stick in the drain. The parts cost $10 dollars from the hardware store, it took maybe 5 minutes to make. You could also make a slit on the floor side of a hose on the grate so the pets never see the water.

The LG has pretty terrible reviews on Amazon regarding durability. Also, note that LG made the Sears Kenmore Dehumidifiers sold up to 2009 that are being recalled last year due to fire risk.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOW NOISY (dBA) I FOUND

THEM TO REALLY BE AT

MAX FAN SPEED:

--------------------------

dBA at distances (1'/5'/10'/15'):

Frigidaire: 62.0 / 56.0 / 53.0 / 51.5

SolieusAir: 66.0 / 60.5 / 57.5 / 55.5

LG: 58.5 / 55.5 / 53.0 / 50.0

If your primary concern is noise then you might want to avoid the SoleusAir. Since Frigidaire is so much better reviewed than the LG, I'd lean towards the Frigidaire over LG for this since the loudness difference is fairly small unless you are going to be fairly close to it.

I should note that the nature of the noise of the Frigidaire is more like white noise from a strong fan as you rarely hear much from the unit's compressor over the fan.

HOW MUCH WATER I FOUND

THEY ACTUALLY HOLD:

---------------------------

Frigidaire: 17.7 lbs

SoleusAir: 13.4 lbs

LG: 15.8 lbs

If you can't use a drain and you want it to do as much work as it can during the night or while you are at work, then Frigidaire wins here. If water hauling weight is a primary concern then SoleusAir has an edge here.

HOW MUCH WATER I FOUND

THEY CAN REALLY PULL OUT

OF THE AIR IN AN HOUR AT

MAX FAN SPEED:

---------------------------

Frigidaire: 0.82 lbs water per hour

SoleusAir: 0.69 "

LG: 0.53 "

If sheer power is your main concern, for example correcting an 18 RH humidity spike ASAP after towels go through the dryer, Frigidaire wins here. These numbers are an average of the bottom two runs out of three for each unit. The range of the Frigidaire performance was 0.8 to 1.0 lbs of water per hour.

Note that the first Frigidaire I tested performed poorly at 0.47 lbs of water per hour. I returned it and the new one I got 3 months later did this well which much better reflects the general impression of performance by a leading consumer magazine.

HOW COST EFFICIENT

I FOUND THEY ARE TO RUN:

---------------------------

Frigidaire: 645 Watt Hours electricity to remove 1 lb. of water

SoleusAir: 690 "

LG: 800 "

This is not extrapolated from data sheets, this was measured.

The LG will likely overall cost more to operate, the Frigidaire and SoleusAir win here. Due to other competitive issues with it I didn't swap for another one to see if it was just defective. Your mileage may vary.

These numbers are an average of the bottom two runs out of three for each unit. The range of the Frigidaire performance was 450 to 660 Watt Hours to remove each pound of water.

HOW MUCH TIME TO FILL

THEIR BUCKET IN WINTER

IN ONE EXAMPLE BASEMENT

AT TOP FAN SPEED:

-------------------------

Frigidaire: 0.9 days

SoleusAir: 0.8 days

LG: 1.2 days

Remember that the bins hold different amounts of water.

The full range for the Frigidaire was 0.74-0.92 days to fill its bucket.

MISC. NOTES:

--------------

Frigidaire:

The most attractive and the build quality is excellent. Well reviewed by respected independent consumer magazine. Has top and side handles.

Look out for cleaning filter light going on erroneously early on in order to facilitate an exchange while it is still easy to do. It is easy to spot, after going off early you would clean the filter put it back in and it would still be on.

As noted above, the first Frigidaire dehumidifier (same model) I bought was performance defective and I returned it. These numbers are from testing the replacement.

Vents upwards so no need to keep a distance from a wall.

LG:

This has pretty bad reviews on Amazon regarding durability. Vents out the back and thus requires 1' distance from a wall, the others vent forward. So expect in some cases to have to point the front to the wall and just have to spin it around to remove the bin (if you use a bin) now and then (easy to do, just FYI).

Has no top handle only side handles, the others have top and side handles. If it ever goes up steps you will likely sincerely wish it had the top handle.

All:

All of them had easy to remove and place bins with good handles and were tough to spill unless not paying attention (I've read a review saying LG was bad for spilling the bin, though I didn't find it difficult, but I thought I should mention it FYI). They all have wheels. I often don't get no-fault replacement warranties, but I would definitely get 2+ year one for these.

CAN THESE REALLY

HELP AFTER A FLOOD:

---------------------

After a week running continuously at full fan speed the wet/damp smell from a little flood in the basement went away.

GIVE ME A REAL WORLD

EXAMPLE OF ON-GOING

UTILITY:

----------------------

To help prevent basement mold we target 45 RH as a cost efficient target. We found to get this we need to set the dehumidifier to a much higher target value (in our case 60-65 RH, your unit will vary, see warning above, you'll need a separate humidity meter).

Ordinarily our basement ranges only from 54-59 RH or so in Winter. Depending on what we set the dehumidifier to we can target a 2-3 RH range anywhere between 38rh to 46rh (we didn't test higher) but couldn't get it lower than 38 RH with a single dehumidifier for our middle-sized basement.

We can get it to range between 43-46 RH (except for temporary events like drying a load of towels, etc.) for roughly the cost of a 75w bulb averaged over a day with the unit going on and off as necessary.

If we wanted to keep it down to 38-41 RH I measured it costs around 6x that in kWh of electricity, the low hundreds of dollars per year around here.

Obviously your mileage will vary by time of year, geography, unit, air leakage, etc., this is just one real world example, I hope the example helped someone.