Before I tell you what's not to like about the Edenpure quartz infrared heater, I'd like to spend a minute telling you what I do like, and how it works.
How the EdenPure Works At the heart of these infrared heaters are the quartz bulbs. Similar to incandescent lamps,
quartz bulbs are formed by enclosing a tungsten resistance wire within a high purity quartz sheath.
They provide even, non drying floor to ceiling heat and, according to the manufacturer, reduce positive ions in the atmosphere responsible for many respiratory problems. The bulbs are rated to last 5 - 7,000 hours, or 3 - 5 years, and cost around $10 each to replace.
The Edenpure/SunTwin (I can't tell the difference) heaters are offered in 3 sizes: 500, 1,000, and 1,500 watt and the unit model numbers coincide with the heat output in watts. So a Suntwin 1500 Elite produces 1,500 watts. The heaters are thermostatically controlled, equipped with a circuit breaker, and have a 1 year warranty.
What I Do Like About the EdenPure Quartz Infrared Heater
It has a cool to the touch exterior and, unlike some other heaters, doesn't have glowing red wires or an exposed fan. This is a big plus if you have kids and/or pets.
Despite the complaints some consumers have with it, I haven't found one that is health or safety related.
What's Not to Like
The #1 complaint of consumers who have actually purchased the heater comes down to this: Too little heat for too much money. Putting aside the cost factor for a moment, I'll address the "too little heat" complaint first.
Too Little Heat
The results you get from a 1,500 watt heater, EdenPure or otherwise, depends on how it's being used. Bear in mind, the heat generated by a 1,500 watt heater approximates only 5,000 Btus. This is minuscule compared to a typical 65,000 btu oil or gas fired furnace.
If you're depending on a 1,500 watt heater as your only heat source, it will heat only 150 - square feet depending on how well your home is insulated, obstructions to the flow of heat, such as walls, and the outside temperature.
Here's the basic "rule of thumb" formula for calculating space heater capacity: Watts/10 = heated space in square feet. Or: 1,500/10 = 150.
However, if you use a space heater to supplement your existing heating system by turning back the thermostat and letting the space heater pick up the slack, you could increase the effective heating range of a 1,500 watt heater to around 600 square feet.
Too Much Money
I chalk this up to what I call the "furniture factor." You can either buy a space heater that looks like a space heater, or one that complements your decor and doubles as an end table.
An even better example of the "furniture factor" is the electric fireplace. No matter which electric fireplace you look at, they all have the same 1,500 watt heater. Yet, depending on the design of the mantel piece, you could easily spend 2 or 3 times more on an electric fireplace than an EdenPure quartz infrared heater.
The difference is this: People who buy an electric fireplace are looking for furniture; people who buy an EdenPure portable heater are looking for heat.
I live in Northeast Pa in a Mobile Home. I purchased an EdenPure 1000 last winter. I did save some on heat but the bigger point that i have not seen anyone mention is the fact that by running the Eden Pure my home was much warmer. I also found if you read the instructions that the Eden Pure heats the Humidity in the air. I added additional humidity and my home registered 78 degrees with my thermostat set on 71. A simple pot of water on the stove gave me a huge warmth factor. If your air is dry there is nothing to warm....so try this method...I didn't have to use our main soure of heat till December last year. I went back and purchased the smaller heater for another room when i didn't need the larger one. But the 1000 heated my whole home with adding moisture....also try running a ceiling fan to circulate the air in the home.....good luck. I love mine. Their ionizer is wonderful too.
we have been using 2 edenpure heaters to heat a drafty building and they work well to raise the temperature to a bearable level. They work best if you raise them up as the instructions say to do. My neighbor uses them to heat her house, since propane went up so high. We cannot afford to heat our buildings with propane, the electrical cost is about 1/4 the cost of the propane to heat the same buildings. We like our heaters, and I intend to use one in my house next winter( a mobile home) because I cant afford to use the furnace, which is very inefficent. Not related to the company in any way. Had a malfunction with one, they fixed it and sent it back under warrenty.
» left by acornfarm48 from Alabama (85 days 6 hours ago.)
I wish I had read these comments BEFORE I bought this EdenPure. I heat with radiators as it is - and I cannot afford a huge increase in my power bill. I will be sending my EdenPure 1000 back! Thank You.
» left by Brian from Colorado (70 days 2 hours ago.)
READ THE MANUAL people. First of all not even in Long Island could you raise your electric bill $200 because of an EdenPure. 1.5kwh x 24 hrs x 30 days That is 1080 kilowatts if left on high for a whole month. The national average is like 10 cents per kilowatt. That's $108.00 Would you run your vacumm for 720 hours in a month and expect the same bill. Like Sam said they are supplemental heat.
Bob Vila apparently likes 'em! That's good enough for me to give them a try this coming winter. I read an ad stating he has one in his Massachusetts home.
The law says that if you endorse a product you have to use it, so I have no doubt that Mr. Vila has one of these. However, I'd bet he gets his heater for free on top of a handsome sum to to promote it. I'd like to know how often he actually plugs it in and uses it, and does he verify and/or care how much $$ he's saving or losing?
» left by Patty Doyle from New York (51 days 10 hours ago.)
I was just about to order one of these heaters. I will stick to my 20 year old ceramic heater and forget about saving just a few more pennies, if there are any savings at all. Thank you for all of your comments....greatly appreciated.
After reading these comments I will still be using my two ceramic heaters that cost me only $35.00 each five years ago and are still working well. Thanks everyone for there input.
» left by arthur t. lisk from windham, ohio (31 days 17 hours ago.)
1500 watts is just that! you can make no more heat, unless you consume 2000 watts. watts is easy---watts= volts x amps. thus--2000watts divided by 120 volts uses appx. 16.8 amps=overloaded 15 amp circiut. lipstick on a pig is all it is.
1500 watts on a 120 volt circuit does equal about 16 amperes of current. some older homes have wiring circuits rated at 15 amperes. current flow does generate heat. overheated wiring can cause a fire. Anyone contemplating using an electric heater of any type should make sure their home wiring is capable of handling the current required by these heaters.
Wow, what negative comments. I hope that everyone that has a negative comment about these heaters has used one to back up their comments. I have 2 of the heaters at home and 2 at my print shop and I love them. For the people that do not think they are worth the money, they are probably not using them correctly. If you want a space heater to heat a room you need to keep your humidity up. I guess I am just confused as to why all the negative comments. The heaters are $400.00, but 3 years ago I bought a little electric space heater before this that was $75.00, but only heats about 100 sq. feet. So if you do the math I think the price is reasonable.
» left by Nicole from Kentucky (14 days 20 hours ago.)
I'll have 1 this winter.. I will report back on how it goes for me. However, I see where u have to increase humidity for it to give better results, not a problem! A cheap vicks humidifier can and should work well.
I have been in the Infrared heater industry for about 4 years. I know the insides and the outs of all the major brands including the Edenpure. With this said, I would like to shed some light on the subject as there is some inaccurate information in this article as to them being the same as another 1500 watt heater.
Here is the deal. Although Edenpure certainly exaggerates their heaters' square footage capability they will heat more efficiently than another non-infrared heater. However, they certainly will not heat 1000 plus square feet in a cold state. They also fail to mention that they are supplemental. They are fully capable of saving you money as well by less dependency on more expensive forms of heat.
The reason why they work more effectively than a common non infrared heater of 1500 watts is for the following reasons:
1. Infrared does not remove humidity. This allows the heater to actually attach heat to the water molecules in the air. This is a heavier more dense air. Other heaters will fry and dry out the air like a hair dryer and the heat becomes light and hotter flying to the ceiling. 2. Infrared is a deeper penetrating heat which is why you will feel warmer. It is known for actually warming objects. It is known for infrared to heat many times the area then others. 3. Infrared heat is also used for health issues such as diabetics and other people with circulatory issues. It is used in saunas as well.
Although I am not an advocate of Edenpure because they have plastic cases, digitals that fail and oh yes I have proof of them melting, and in my opinion they exaggerate performance and cost of running, they do work!
If you want to check my credentials on the subject you can google my site, solarcomfortheating . I have Edenpure and ComfortZone to show people the insides and outsides.
Another thing to consider is that you can zone these heaters to where you want them rather than rely on a fixed vent.
I will be righting some of my own articles on Infrared heaters, comparisons and realistic expectations so please do look for them.
You are exactly right, it supplements existing heat at a lower rate - I have an all electric household and one bill came to $575 in Dec last year, at a 68 degree setting during the day, less at night. Now I keep my heat pump heat on 63 degrees and let the Eden Pure carry the rest. I also have a high ceilinged living room with three glass sliding doors, the temperature in deep Winter in New Jersey is now bearable. Would buy another Eden Pure if I had to
You have the right expectations. I deal Solar Comfort Infrared heaters and strive to give more realistic expectations. Although others don't mention that they are supplemental and also state 1000 plus square feet, we claim 600-800sq ft. Same 1500watts, same 12+ amps, just more realistic.
However, I personally had customers actually turn their Infrared heater into their primary heat source.
Many people will use their main heat source for 20 to 30 minutes to get the room to a higher heat range. Then they will let their Infrared heater maintain it.
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Article added to SearchWarp.com on 12/8/2007 11:18:39 AM. View other articles written bySam Streubel(21,379)
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