Showing posts with label american standard thermostat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label american standard thermostat. Show all posts

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Best Comfort Zone® Personal Ceramic Heater/Fan CZ441 Deals

Comfort ZoneĀ® Personal Ceramic Heater/Fan CZ441
Customer Ratings: 3 stars
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This is such a great little heater!

It really pushes out lots of heat for such a little thing, likely because it's ceramic.

It is tip-proof and cold-bodied -exactly what I need in a space heater.

My bedroom is 15' x 11' and it heats the whole thing in no time flat, never getting hot on the bottom or sides.

I plain love it!

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Update one year later. Heater is still "working," but my complaint about the thermostat is even stronger. The "thermostat" has evolved into an on-off switch. The heater is either always running, or not running at all. It is not possible to find the middle of the deadband, becasue it does not have one. So my room swings between too warm and too cold, as I have to control the heater manually. Fan is still what I would call too noisy.

I have reduced my rating from three to two stars. I cannot recommend that anyone buy this this heater.

Original review ---

My new CZ441 heater was delivered about a week ago. It has been uncommonly cold in the Northeast recently, so I wsa glad to see it and put it to use.

Set up was simple. Out of the box, 5 minutes to read the instructions, and plug it in. I live in an old house (1890) so I was a bit worried about blowing fuses. No problem though. The low setting uses about 1100 watts (10 amps).

The unit was purchased for use in my study, a small room about 10' x 12' in size. The two windows provide nice light, but they leak air, and the room is always cold in the winter (which is about 6 months long here). An adjacent room is the laundry, with an outside door, and it is always cool in there. So a small forced draft electric heater was just what I needed.

It is quite small and light, a bit larger than a loaf of bread. It sits unobtrusively on the floor, pointed slightly upward. The tip over protection switch works very well. The cord is about 6' long. None of the exterior surfaces or the handle get warm, let alone hot, even after hours of continuous use. My dog likes to lay right in front of it, a couple of feet away.

I have found that it is most effective when it is placed about 5' away from where I'm sitting, pointed directly at me. The fan is a bit noisier than I would like, but it is "white" noise, so I don't notice it unless someone in another part of the house is trying to talk to me. Voices are somewhat difficult to hear over the noise. Without the fan running, hearing would be no problem.

We have a dog that sheds hair (don't they all?), so the idea of a cleanable filter was a plus. However, the "filter" is not very durable, and it will die or be lost long before the heater is used up. When it fails I will use the heater without a filter. Pity.

The description of the unit says it has a "thermostat." This is the reason why I give it 3 stars rather than more. The thermostat is such poor quality that it severely limits the usefulness of the heater. Simply put, the deadband is far too narrow to control the room temperature. The slightest turn on the knob goes from always off to always on.

The heater has two power settings, low and high. On the high setting the heater will run for perhaps 30 seconds, then shut off for a long time. On the low setting the heater either runs continuously, or not at all.

I consider the too sensitive thermostat to be a major flaw. The heater is essentially unusable on the high power setting. So I cannot recommend that you buy one of these units. I'm not so dissatified that I will return it, but I am diappointed in the poor quality.

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Great little heater. Dose a great job on heating up a room. And takes up little space. I highly recommend it

Honest reviews on Comfort Zone® Personal Ceramic Heater/Fan CZ441

Maybe this item got bounced around one too many times in shipping because it was always loud. The previous model I had (same look and abilities but white) was not particularly loud, lasted over four years, and was used a lot more than this model was. This one barely lasted through one cold season in the southern US and was only used about 1 or 2 hours a day. It stopped working a week after we got it out for the next winter so I couldn't return it. Because I was very pleased with the first one of these I got and because I don't know what type of treatment this one went through during shipping I can't give it a totally bad review. It is a real powerhouse for a tiny heater and I really like that about it.

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Works well reasonable price.......Comfort Zone CZ441 Ceramic Heater....my daughter uses it at her dorm and at her room at home.....very good product!~

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Monday, October 20, 2014

Best Real Flame 4099 Electric Firebox - INSERT ONLY Deals

Real Flame 4099 Electric Firebox - INSERT ONLY
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $285.00
Sale Price: $251.18
Today's Bonus: 12% Off
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I wanted a firepalce with realism and this one fits the bill. The only thing I would add is some crackling sound. Overall, I am very pleased with this insert,it looks great.

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We are on a budget and wanted a fireplace insert for our custom fireplace surround that we were building. Our major concerns were price (of course), realism and depth of unit. I knew the price and size were good from the description but I was a little leery about the flame effect. I unpacked it and fired it right up and was quite impressed with the effect, it is better than I thought it was going to be.

On the heating ability I would describe its heat output and noise level equivalent to a ceramic heater.

My wife now wants another one for our bedroom.

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Friday, August 29, 2014

Buy Klein Tools 610M 1/4 and 5/16 Magnetic Tip Nut Driver Set, 1-1/2"

Klein Tools 610M 1/4 and 5/16 Magnetic Tip Nut Driver Set, 1-1/2' Hollow Shanks
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $25.26
Sale Price: $15.95
Today's Bonus: 37% Off
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works good and has many uses for me in the HVAC business. I have used it many times already.I would recommend these to anyone.

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Klein makes top quality tools. If anyone is looking for quality tools, buy Klein. You can't go wrong with top quality tools.

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Klein magnetic tip nut drivers are simply the best. As a HVAC tech, I use these drivers every day. The magnetic tips set them apart from all other nut drivers.

Honest reviews on Klein Tools 610M 1/4 and 5/16 Magnetic Tip Nut Driver Set, 1-1/2"

Ordered these for my job in Afghanistan as losing screws in the dirt and mud has been common. They got to the APO here in 6 days. Fast service, fast shipping, and being Klein you already know your getting great quality. All at a price thats comperable to retail. What more could you ask for?

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You would think if you order two sets of nut drivers( Short & Long) the shorter ones would cost lest due to less material .They were the same price... not cool

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Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Discount Cadet #08121 White Single Pole Thermostat

Cadet #08121 White Single Pole Thermostat
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $15.58
Today's Bonus: 22% Off
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I had no idea what "single pole" meant before I bought this, but it means it only has two wires. Mine need four wires. Be sure to check your existing thermostat before buying a replacement. If you only need a single pole (2-wire) version, this one is fine. If you need a two pole (4-wire), be sure to find that one.

Single pole means there's just one temperature sensor and on/off circuit. Dual pole means there are two temperature sensors and on/off circuits. Some building codes requires dual pole thermostats as a safety measure if one sensor goes bad.

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Great item, easy to install and works as it should. stylish and respectful of sensitivity room tempter needs for exact comfort level.

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Works as designed. Temperature is not accurate, they rarely are on thermostats. You find your comfort zone and use the numbers for reference. AS a master electrician I have used and installed many cadet products, solid name solid products.

Honest reviews on Cadet #08121 White Single Pole Thermostat

The unit does not have a "OFF" position.. There is connectivity even at the bottom temperature setting. I could not use this thermostat for the application intended. If you want a control with a clear OFF, this is not the thermostat you want.

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I use this to run my forced air blower on my wood stove and it works great! Easy mounting and wiring.

.

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Friday, June 13, 2014

Reviews of Delonghi BG24 Perfecto Indoor Grill

Delonghi BG24 Perfecto Indoor Grill
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $112.00
Sale Price: $59.95
Today's Bonus: 46% Off
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I am very satisfied with this grill; I have also given it as a gift to a relative who also loves it and uses it frequently.

Some of the problems described here (not hot enough, etc.), in my opinion, stem from improper use. Like any grill, you have to let it warm up, before plopping quarter pound hamburgers on it. My daughter over-cooked chicken breasts on it(they looked great (grill lines, etc.) but they were dry)--so the comments here about the heating element not working are simply not true.

I love the glass top that contains spattering; I also line the bottom of the grill (when cooking) with aluminum foil to make clean up easier. The grill itself is something of a pain to clean, but I put mine in the dishwasher and it comes out great.

This grill performs very well, but you have to allow sufficient time for the heating element to get the grill hot and choose the correct heat settings in connection with what you are cooking--not exactly rocket science, but judging from the reviews here, some people obviously find this challenging.

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I got this grill about a week ago and I love it. First of all the cooking area is BIG.. and wonderful so that you can really cook. I also love how you can adjust the heat setting depending on what you are cooking instead of like my former George where it was 1 temp was supposed to cook all ( which burnt the outside of thick pieces of meat and chicken breast and left the inside way underdone)I also love how the fat drips down immediatly into the tray. On my George ( a big one) the fat would come sort of off one burger and then run into the other burger and stay there without ever going into the tray thing. Clean up is alot easier than George because I can stick all of it except the temp control into the sink or dishwasher to wash. I also like the lid that keeps the food from drying out while cooking and warm before it is served. I will admit it is not as fast as George but honestly the quality of food I cook is so much better b/c it has been cooked right and not just fast. This grill IMO is much more similar to cooking on an outside grill and the taste is better for it. I highly reccomed this product over it's competition, there is no comparrison! Move over George, YOU GO GRILL!

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I just received this item today. It is fabulous. I made boneless chicken breasts with a marinade consisting of 1/2 cup honey, 1/4 cup dijon, 1/4 cup melted butter, and 1/4 teaspoon of curry. I followed the directions to use the grill explicitly. I coated the grill very lightly with olive oil. I put some water in the tray and there was no smoke at all. I turned the heat up to 5 (the highest setting) for 10 minutes to preheat and kept the grill covered while it was heating. I poked holes in the chicken and basted them with the marinade. I put the chicken on the grill setting high for 3 minutes on each side, uncovered. Every time I turned the chicken I basted with more marinade. The chicken seared beautifully with grill markings on both sides. After 6 minutes on high, I lowered the grill to between 3 and 4, basted again, and covered for 6 minutes. I then flipped the chicken again, basted and cooked for another 6 minutes. They came out so delicious, juicy, moist it was amazing. Chicken like this usually comes out dry but this was juicy and tender and the marinade which was a recipe I got from the internet was terrific. My kids both enjoyed it. Both are VERY picky eaters. I read all the reviews on this site and agonized over this purchase worrying about what was said in the negative reviews. I am not a cook at all. I am just learning but I followed the directions and I cannot reproduce ANY of the negative experiences stated here. It was also easy to clean. I followed someone's advice that said to place wet paper towels on the grill and then wipe it down with the paper towels. Just like that reviewer, my grill came out perfectly clean, as if it had come right out of the box. I hope this review helps someone. I may never grill outdoors again this was so easy and quick and was such a great experience. I would give it 10 stars if I could.

Honest reviews on Delonghi BG24 Perfecto Indoor Grill

I've had this grill for about 2 years now but I've only used it about four times. After using it the last time I noticed blistering of the grill non-stick coating (Teflon?). I was able to scratch this off in a few places with my fingernail to verify if the coating was blistering or if these spots were just imperfections underneath. I wasn't pleasantly surprised to find that the blistering came off easily and that this could be in my food the next time I use it (healthy grilling!). I had many flects of coating on the table after running my fingernail over the blisters exposing the bare metal of the grill.

I therefore cannot recommend this product to anyone. By the way, I've only used a soapy sponge to clean the grill and never used metalic utensils on in while cooking. The "blistering" of the teflon tells me that the metal of the grill was not primed correctly before the coating was applied. Has this happened to anyone else? Before I throw this grill away I'm going to try to contact the manufacturer and see if they can replace the grill element seeing how this looks like a manufacturing defect.

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I have had my grill for a week, we've cooked lean steaks on it, pork chops, and the other night we cooked hamburgers on it. This is my first indoor grill so when one review mentioned the "George Foreman" grill was a bit faster, I was amazed I thought the Delonghi cooked pretty fast!! Clean up was really easy and one MUST remember to preheat it. I gather some have not. And as to smoking I haven't had any but then I buy lean meats and put water in the bottom if I think the food will drip a lot of fat. Fat dripping into the large tray in the bottom is what burns and causes the smoke. I've only used water once, with the hamburgers (no smoking). This really is a great grill and large enough to be more than satisfying (actual cooking space is 15"x11"). Ease and comfort of use is amazing. I highly recommend it!

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Saturday, May 17, 2014

Lasko 5568 34-Inch Oscillating Ceramic Tower Heater with Remote Reviews

Lasko 5568 34-Inch Oscillating Ceramic Tower Heater with Remote Control
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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I love Lasko heaters, my hubby had a 29" pedestal heater that lasted roughly 5 years before acting up, so once it decided to die on us I searched and found this one on Amazon.

We had looked in the store and actually bought a Delonghi because he didn't want to have to wait until we could get this one in the mail, but it sucked! It didn't show the current room temperature like the Lasko, only the set temperature so you couldn't tell what the actual room temperature was. It kept turning on and off as if it was trying to maintain that exact temperature instead of turning on 1 degree below the set temperature, then back off at 2 degrees above like this Lasko. And the plastic at the base was grinding and popping when I tried to use it in oscillation mode, which was really annoying.

So it went back and I ordered this one, and am I ever glad we did, I love it! It arrived slightly damaged, but that could have been a manufacturing error as the box was in perfect condition, one of the side panels was pushed in making it look funny, but I carefully fixed that problem even though it didn't affect it's operation any, just couldn't stand looking at it the way it looked. Now it looks and works perfect, we couldn't be happier! And I love the added feature they've started using, it turns on low every 10 minutes for about 10 seconds to circulate the air and recheck the air temperature, instead of relying on the stagnant air temperature which can give a false reading like the old Lasko pedestal heater we had. Don't get me wrong, I loved that one too, but this one is even better! I highly recommend this heater to anyone who's looking for a way to help save on electricity and just warm the room you're in.

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I actaully have the model 5586 which looks exactly like this but the buttons are different. Bought for about the same price $65-67 at a harddware store.

It's great for a small (10ftx10ft) unheated room, but doesn't do much for a large converted attic room with no heating & almost no insulation (which is fine, the product clearly says it is intendend as SUPPLEMENTAL heat, not as your only source).

I like the remote control & that I can have it stationary blowing directly on me or moving to circulate the air. I also like that I can set it to click on when tempature drops below a certain temperature. I like that it shows me the temperature. Those features were (to me) worth spending a little more than the cheaper heaters. I've had it for 3 months and it has made a big difference for cold No. CA nights/early mornings (though our electric bill did go pretty high so I'm not sure we saved $ by running the gas/central heating less).

I find it quiet enough to sleep through, but my boyfriend claims that even on the low setting the noise of the air venting bothers him. But he's gotten used to it & can usually sleep through it now.

Other reviews of Lasko heaters had complained their cords got too hot. My cord gets warm, but not hot. I am not concerned by this.

In my opinion, the only flaw is that EVERY TIME you turn it on/off or adjust ANY setting (even to go up or down a few degrees), a fairly loud beep is emitted.

I called their customer service # and there is no way to turn this off.

This means I can not make any adjustment at night or even turn it on for a little while while my boyfriend is sleeping. This is a serious drawback to me, I'd give this product 5 stars if it wasn't for this.

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The fan is not loud, but I wouldn't say it is quiet either. The annoying thing is that there is no option to leave the fan on continuously, so it cycles on and off with the heater. The problem with this is that you don't have a constant white noise to aid sleeping, but something that could make sleeping not so restful--or worse yet--wake you up. Also using the remote to change any settings creates a loud beep that your sleeping partner might not be so happy about.

I did notice that a smallish room heated up very fast. I'm guessing the large size helps with that.

The remote is sorta cheap, but does the job--with a lot of beeps.

I would say it is a good value at the price I paid: $49.

Honest reviews on Lasko 5568 34-Inch Oscillating Ceramic Tower Heater with Remote

Last winter proved that it can get pretty cold in South Florida. I purchased this Lasko heater to supplement our central heating system. It worked like a dream, is light and very portable. It also came with a remote so one could make adjustments without getting up from a comfortable chair. I have told all my friends about how good this heater is.

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Warms up a 30 degrees, 250 something square meter room in few minutes. Thermostat comes in handy. I love this. Also the front grilldoes not get hot. Unlike the smaller lasko model which burned my child's leg by accident. Great product. I hope it's durable enough like the smaller lasko heater.

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Monday, March 24, 2014

Dimplex #ETS610W1 Electronic Line Voltage Thermostat Single Pole Review

Dimplex #ETS610W1 Electronic Line Voltage Thermostat Single Pole, White
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $34.00
Sale Price: $26.83
Today's Bonus: 21% Off
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very nice

always consulted with electrician this will save headaches is the long run.to what ever device intended used

thank you

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The thermostat is rated at a max of 7.4 amps so will only support a 1750W heater. This won't work for my heater and it would have been nice to know when ordering it.

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I used this thermostat in a small pumphouse to switch on a heat lamp to keep it from freezing in the winter. Works great.

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Sunday, February 9, 2014

Buy My Heat Personal Ceramic Heater

Lasko #100 MyHeat Personal Ceramic Heater
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $49.99
Sale Price: $18.62
Today's Bonus: 63% Off
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have used for one day so i cant comment on durability yet. this little thing after it warms up will put out some heat comparable to a normal 1500 watt unit. this does not move a ton of air, so its not good for room heating, just personal space as advertised. i tried mine out at work in a larger open bay type environment, room was 62-63 and put this little heater about 18-20 inches away and on a small box about a foot off the ground. you can feel a nice warm stream of air blowing over you, good for keeping the chills away. would recommend in an office environment working at a computer, case stays perfectly cool during use and is very quiet. front grille can get very hot and needs time to cool after use. other good things, its only 200 watts so no need to worry about tripping a circuit breaker.

UPDATE:

have been using this heater for just about a year now and still love it. (let me re-phrase this due the comments) i brought this heater with me while stationed in korea. my dorm room dosent have any other working heat, so its up to this little guy. my room is 10 X 12 with concrete cinder block walls and a 2 1/2" thick solid wood door. on freezing or warmer days outside it can keep the 10 x 12 room around 65-70 with the door closed. when the temp drops lower i need to get out the spare heater and they both do a great job of getting the temp back up. i have had only one problem, i went to turn it off and take to work one day and found that the case had gotten hot and started to melt. i'm not sure it the kids or dog knocked it over, but i have still used the same one leaving it on for days or weeks straight and havent had anything go wrong with it again. i still recommend trying this little heater out if you need something small for a small office type environment.

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I purchased this little heater to warm my desk area at work. We cannot use the high wattage heaters because of the risk of overloading the electrical circuit and shutting everyone else down.

The 200 watt MyHeat heater is just about perfect for my intended purpose; heating the space around my desk. It puts out a decent amount of heat; it seems to be more efficient than other heaters using five to seven times the wattage, quite a bit of heat for a mere 200 watts.

The only thing it could benefit from is a thermostat to shut it off once the desired temperature is achieved. For my usage the missing thermostat isn't a big deal, this is why I gave it five stars.

Summary: Nice looking (multiple colors available), small size(smaller than my PC speakers), quality power cord, low wattage, good heat output. A worthy purchase.

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I have 3 of these that I bought locally & really like them. I took one to work to use in my cold office & it heats it up a treat! The other 2 are at home. One in my tiny cold bathroom & the other stays in front of my armchair.

I don't need to crank up the central heat at home when I'm feeling a bit chilly & my tightwad boss doesn't complain about me running up his power bill at the office. It's great not to have to beg for a piece of coal from Mr. Scrooge!

Honest reviews on My Heat Personal Ceramic Heater

UPDATE after one year of ownership: This little heater continues to impress me. I don't know how it would perform in a really cold climate, but here in Northern California, where nighttime winter temperatures rarely go much below freezing, it's outstanding at heating a small space quickly. The room where I now work is unheated; it was converted from being the house's garage. I use a deLonghi oil radiator heater for the main heat in this room, but off course it takes a long time to warm up. The Lasko heats the area around my desk quickly while the deLonghi is warming up. After the deLonghi is warm, I switch off the Lasko. This combination works well for me, and using the Lasko this way allows me to conserve power by using the deLonghi at a lower power setting.

I was impressed enough with the Lasko that I ordered a second one (a model 103, identical except for having a red front). I use one in a separate building behind my house and the other in an unheated room inside my house. Neither Lasko is my main heater. They just provide heat while the oil radiators come up to temperature. They also occasionally provide a relatively low power supplemental source of heat as an alternate to using an oil radiator heater at a higher power setting.

After a year of ownership, I'm raising my original four star rating to five stars. The price is so low and the heater works so well that the little guy deserves it.

My original review:

This little guy puts out an impressive amount of heat. It won't heat a large or even medium sized space, but if you need to heat under your desk or very near your person, it definitely puts out the heat. It works well in my 8'x 9' office in a standalone unheated, uninsulated brick building. I've only owned it for two weeks, so I can't attest to its durability, but its three year warranty does offer some assurance.

Ironically, I canceled the Lasko after ordering it and ordered a Vornado Personal Vortex 375/750 watt heater instead, but Amazon was unable to cancel the Lasko in time and shipped it. I left it packed in the box for a week, intending to return it... until I became frustrated with the Vornado's pathetic heat and out of curiosity, opened the Lasko and tried it. I was immediately impressed with the heat it generates, so much so that I've returned the Vornado and ordered a second Lasko MyHeat.

My main use for the two Lasko's will be supplementing the oil filled heater in my office, which during the winter can be as cold as low forties Fahrenheit when I open it in the morning. The Lasko's will provide immediate heat while the oil-filled heater slowly heats up.

A secondary use for one Lasko will be cold weather camping in my truck. The power draw is low enough that I can power it using the deep cycle battery I carry when traveling.

My only real complaint about the Lasko is the lack of any tip-over protection. A thermostat would be nice, but for this price, I'm not complaining. However I am knocking off one star for the lack of tip-over protection. This is my one concern about camping with this heater. I don't use heat while sleeping so it won't be a problem for me, but for anyone who camps with it and leaves it on while sleeping, you'll need to be very careful to prevent it being accidentally knocked over during the night and starting a fire. I plan to affix Velcro to the bottom to protect against tipover.

Other than that, this is an outstanding little heater. Its looks won't impress people, but it will keep a small space warm while consuming very little power.

UPDATE: I've used my Kill-A-Watt meter to confirm the wattage of nine electric space heaters. Virtually all of them have actual wattages that are below the claimed rating. The exception: both of my Lasko MyHeats. Lasko claims 200 watts, but one of mine has an actual wattage of 211 and the other 202. By comparison, the Vornado Personal Vortex Heater, which I originally wanted but ended up returning, claims 375/750 watts, but the unit I had was only 326/696 watts. I don't say this to disparage Vornado. Nearly every other space heater I've tested had lower wattages than claimed, except these two little Lasko's.

General information about buying electric space heaters:

=============================================

I've owned and used electric space heaters since 1988, mostly DeLonghi oil filled radiators. When I recently began looking for a heater that would warm up a room faster, I was frustrated at the lack of hard, objective, facts about electric space heaters. Even the manufacturer websites often fail to mention or makes it hard to learn the most basic information you need to know, such as wattage ratings and warranty lengths. Not even Consumer Reports has enough information to really inform a consumer. Therefore it's up to us as consumers to share what we know. The rest of this review shares some of what I've learned.

In case you're wondering what heater I decided on to replace my DeLonghi, I didn't, at least not yet. I tried a Vornado PVH and a Bionaire BH1331-U, but I ended up returning both heaters. I'm sticking with my oil-filled heaters for now.

Basic electric space heater facts:

1. All electric space heaters are equally efficient. All heaters rated at 1500 watts output the same amount of heat, but may do it very differently. You have to choose the one that heats the way you need it.

2. Power consumption is determined by two things: the power setting you're using and how long the heater is actually on. Turning up the thermostat setting doesn't increase the heat or power consumption; it just lengthens the time that your heater will be running.

3. To reduce power consumption, use the lowest power setting on your heater that produces the heat you need.

4. An electric space heater will save you money only if you turn your central heating down or off and use space heaters to heat only the rooms where you need heat.

5. The only kind of electric space heater that's likely to provide adequate heat in a large or draft space is a radiant heater (not to be confused with a radiator heater, which is very different), but radiant heaters pose a fire hazard.

Don't take manufacturer wattage claims too seriously. When I used my Kill-A-Watt meter on six space heaters, I found variations of up to 200 watts between the claimed and actual wattage for each space heater. In most cases the actual watts were less than the claimed watts, but one of my DeLonghi's 1500 watt heaters turned out actually to be a 1600 watt heater.

Two crucial steps in finding the electric space heater that's right for you:

============================================================

1. Learn which heater is right for your needs. A huge percentage of complaints by reviewers about space heaters are due to reviewers buying the wrong type of heater for their needs. Your first step should be to decide between the basic types: Ceramic heaters with a fan, oil-filled radiator, micathermic, and radiant. First learn the conditions in which each one works best and works best and then select the type that will work best for your needs. There is no one single "best" heater for all situations. Each one has conditions in which it works well and conditions in which it's terrible.

2. Look at the warranties. Warranties on space heaters range from one year to five years. Delonghi and Soleus heaters that I've checked have one year warranties. Other companies, such as Bionaire, Honeywell, Lasko, and Vornado offer three year and five year warranties on many but not all of their models. If a company offers only a one year warranty on some models but a five year warranty on others (such as Bionaire), it raises question about the durability of the heater with the shorter warranty. However a long warranty is only as good as the company offering it. Read reviews to learn what experiences people have when their heaters die while still under warranty.

In most cases, you'll have to download the manual from the manufacturer's website to get the length of the warranty. It's a nuisance, but it's worth taking the time to do.

Don't let anyone tell you that any particular type of heater is "the best". The best type is the one that best suits YOUR needs. The best heater for me might be the worst heater for you. Some heaters heat up a cold room faster, some keep a room at a steady temperature, and some will work better in a large space.

Some questions you need to ask yourself before deciding which type of heater to buyWill it be keeping a room at a steady temperature? (oil-filled radiator or micathermics heaters might be best)

Will it be heating up a cold room? (a heater with a fan or a radiant heater might be best)

Are there children or pets who might be injured by touching a hot surface? (oil-filled radiator and radiant heater might be a problem)

Do you want to heat just a particular spot rather than the whole room? (radiant heaters might be best

Are you concerned about fire risks? (oil-filled radiator or micathermic heaters might be best, though no space heater is completely safe)

Oil-filled radiators:

These are my favorite heaters. These are the heaters that look like old-fashioned steam radiators. The oil retains its warmth after the thermostat cycles off, which is important if you want to keep a room at a steady temperature. The downside is that the oil takes longer to heat initially, which is why these heaters take so long to warm up.

I have two DeLonghi oil-filled radiators; I've been using one of them for 23 years, and the other is about eight years old. I love the heat they provide. It's steady, warm, with no noise and no drying out of the air like with some other types of heaters. They are ideal for maintaining a steady temperature in an enclosed room.

Oil filled heaters have a huge drawback, however: they are terrible at heating up a cold room. It can take an oil-filled heater hours longer to heat up a cold room than other types of heaters.

The US Department of Energy recommends oil-filled heaters as the most efficient, because the fins generate warmth even when the heater's thermostat cycles off. However this efficiency is only when the heater is continually on, keeping a room at a constant temperature. If you turn the heater on and off frequently, you'll lose most of the efficiency that's inherent in these heaters.

If you have children or pets, look into one of the shielded radiator heaters. I prefer the unshielded ones because they radiate more heat laterally, but the surface can get very hot and be a hazard if touched. DeLonghi claims that their shielded radiator heaters circulate heated air more quickly. Both of mine are unshielded, so I have no way of confirming that. My concern about the shielded radiators is that they would direct more hot air up rather than to the side, where I need it.

If your electric rates are different for different times of the day, you can use this to your advantage in setting your radiator heater toswitch on and warm the room from cold when rates are low, then let it provide steady heat when rates are higher.

A word of warning about oil-filled radiators: if one is poorly made or damaged, it can leak oil and permanently damage rugs and floors or even start a fire. Only buy from a reputable manufacturer and don't accept one that has any visible damage.

Ceramic fan heaters:

These are great at heating a room quickly, however many people including myself don't like the heat they blow. I don't mind it in my Vornado Personal Heater (375/700watt), which is located under my desk, but I thoroughly dislike it in the old Honeywell ceramic oscillating heater that came with my house. I much prefer the warmth that comes from an oil-filled radiator. Ceramic heaters can be most effective at quickly warming up a cold room.

Radiant heaters

Radiant heaters (don't confuse them with radiator heaters!) work by heating whatever they are pointed at rather than heating the air in the room. If you have a large, drafty space, a radiant heater might be your best choice, because it doesn't heat the air, only the objects and people it's directed at.

Micathermic heaters

Micathermic heaters work similarly to oil-filled radiators, except that instead of heavy metal fins filled with hot oil, micathermic heaters have thin sheets of mica that heat up. I've only had experience with one micathermic, a Bionaire BH1331-U, and found that it's exterior surface remained very cool except for a few very warm spots on top. There would be less risk of young children being burned by touching a micathermic heater than an oil-filled radiator. Micathermic heaters are slower heating than ceramic fan heaters, but are faster then oil-filled radiators..

Baseboard heaters

I have a Lakewood oil-filled baseboard heater I bought five years ago that has many of the advantages of a micathermic heater. It heats faster than an oil-filled radiator but has no hot surfaces and low fire risk. My Lakewood does an excellent job of heating my 12x15 bedroom.

However I have not researched baseboard heaters and only have experience with this Lakewood, so I don't know whether others are as good as this one. I was impressed that when I measured the actual wattages of my various space heaters, the Lakewood's actual wattages came closest to its claimed wattages of all the other heaters I tested. Lakewood unfortunately went out of business in 2009 and had a major problem with oil leaking from its heaters a few years earlier. Despite this, it's in many ways my best heater and has the lowest cost of operation.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for My Heat Personal Ceramic Heater

I ordered 2 of these units last month. They are the perfect size for my small offices and they only draw 200w so they won't stress the electrical system at work. They both worked great for about 3 weeks, then they both started to die. They started sputtering, then the fan wouldn't turn on at all. This happened to both units within 2 days of each other. Now one is totally dead and the other is still sputtering away.

There are ton of positive reviews of this heater, so I believe I just got a bad batch. I contacted the manufacturer and they will do an RMA.

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Thursday, January 16, 2014

Buy Amico AC 250V 5A -16 to 22 Celsius Degree 2 Pins Freezer

Amico AC 250V 5A -16 to 22 Celsius Degree 2 Pins Freezer Refrigerator Thermostat
Customer Ratings: 2 stars
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The unit energizes the refrigerator at about 35 F at the warmest setting. Any thing other than setting the dial next to the off position will freeze everything in the refrigerator. If you like your high gravity craft beer at 45 F do not buy this unit.

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Saturday, December 28, 2013

Camco 10023 RV Water Heater Continuity Tester with Battery Review

Camco 10023 RV Water Heater Continuity Tester with Battery
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: $12.05
Sale Price: $7.48
Today's Bonus: 38% Off
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When I purchased this product, the packaging called it a "Water Heater Tester" leading me to believe it was more than a simple continuity tester which a homeowner, handyman or electrician uses to determine if the wire is continuous (not broken) between the clip tip and pinpoint tip on the body of the tool. You can use a standard continuity tester to test the continuity of a water heater element just as easily/well as with using this product. Thankfully, the product is now called "Water Heater Continuity Tester." Remember, of course, this tool is not to be used on live/hot appliances, etc.: it doesn't detect current and use on a live line will ruin/break this tool it detects only continuity.

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Monday, November 18, 2013

Review of Aprilaire RP-58 Humidifier Humidistat Control #58 RP58

Aprilaire RP-58 Humidifier Humidistat Control #58 RP58
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
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my Aprilaire humidifier controller stopped working cheap pos. I could have bought a $25-30 replacement, or this $80 version that has digital readout and outside temp sensor to adjust indoor humidity to outdoor temp. But the device requires two 120v -> 24v AC transformers one to run the humidifier when the furnace is on (my old controller was powered by one that was installed when the uni twas installed), the other to power the digital readout 24/7 even when the furnace is off. So add $12-15 to the cost for the transformer. Not worth it!

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Easy installation (make sure you've got a 12VDC transformer connection or you'll have to add one.) Cabling and mounting the exterior thermister was simple.

I love the fact that I no longer have to manually lower the humidity level when the outside temp plunges. Training was easy...took about a week with two or three minor adjustments. Works flawlessly. No more condensation on the windows...wish I would have invested a long time ago, well worth it.

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Works well to boost humidity in the midst of winter to max level without window condensation. Looks attractive. Had professional install.

Honest reviews on Aprilaire RP-58 Humidifier Humidistat Control #58 RP58

So it turns out that this is actually not only a fix, but a nice upgrade. The unit always tells me the percentage of the humidity of the air in the cold air plenum with a bold led lighted display, which is very cool. The unit also has the fault lights to advise me of any defects in the humidifier system. Both of these features were nonexistent on the original factory unit. So far, it seems that I have a great upgrade for my Aprilaire 760A humidifier.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Aprilaire RP-58 Humidifier Humidistat Control #58 RP58

I was tired of having to manually adjust my humidistat during the winter. I've dropped the ball one too many times on doing it and now have some permanent water damage on some trim woodwork that I'll have to replace. I installed this over the course of a weekend with no problems and it works perfectly. The instructions are clear. Don't forget if you are also upgrading from a "manual mode" humidistat, to this one, you'll probably need an additional 24v transformer such as this one (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002T0ZTUU/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_2).

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