My Personal Review of EdenPURE Infrared Heaters
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Posted: Wednesday, December 17, 2008
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
I am unsure just when Biotech Research first introduced their EdenPURE and Sun Twin infrared heaters for sale to the public. I know, however, that it had to be less than eight years ago since the Biotech Research division was created in the year 2000 by their parent, Saurez Corporation of Canton, Ohio. This was not the beginning of infrared heaters, but was a rather revolutionary new design. After an extensive advertising campaign, including a recommendation by Paul Harvey, and some rather embellished claims, the heaters almost became a household word. Their sales soared and, I strongly suspect, their effort to rapidly expand their production output may have interfered somewhat with their quality control. That is opinion, not based on any other evidence.
If a person buys a $35.00 heater and it stops functioning within a year, they are disappointed. But if you pay $350.00 for a heater and it does the same thing, you are likely to be incensed. This is understandable. But on the other hand, it is near impossible for a company to build a product and never expect a faulty one.
I purchased one of their EdenPURE model 1500 slightly over two years ago. I was already well acquainted with 1500 Watt conventional heaters as well as the small ceramic models. In fact, I completed a technical school course in heating and air conditioning many years ago and worked on a spare time basis for years, repairing electrical appliances and air conditioners. So, I was not at all surprised at the amount of heat the EdenPURE produced and I was happy to find that the infrared heat did actually encompass the entire open area and felt unusually pleasant. So, we used it when the weather was only cool and to supplement the furnace in colder weather by turning the thermostat down about 10 degrees on the furnace system.
We purchased it shortly after winter 2006-07 had set in, it finished that winter and the winter of 2007-08 beautifully. Then, when this 2008-09 chilly weather set in, it stopped dead. After trying it several times under different conditions I discovered it will run and heat when the ambient temperature is quite cold, but will cut off far too soon even though set on the highest setting. I suspect the thermostat, although other factors could do the same thing. I intend to take it apart to find the problem and then order parts if necessary. I started to do this the other day, but found that I must have a Philips screwdriver considerably longer than any I have since two of the screws are recessed several inches. Needless to say, after paying the price of this heater, I was disappointed as others are. But, on the other hand, I have repaired many appliances, fresh from the factory with defects.
I hope that these few paragraphs give the reader a proper insight into what he is doing when he considers purchasing one of these heaters. They are fine, enjoyable heaters if you do not expect too much from them, if their price is not prohibitive for you, and if you understand that they, also can have problems.
As I said in the beginning, these heaters were not the beginning of infrared heaters, only new, modern styling and safety features. If you basically yearn for the soft, evenly spread, heat that is available only through the infrared method and are not too concerned about appearance and such things, there are a number of styles and models available and have been for several years.
The photo at right shows a pedestal 1000 watt infrared heater which oscillates as many fans do, which helps to spread the heat in all directions, although it has no fan. It retails for $99. Which is more than most Nichrome coil convection heaters but is far less per BTU output than the EdenPURE. Two of these would cost you $198 and produce about 6,500 to 7,000 BTU of heat compared to $350-450 for the EdenPURE which produces only about 5,000 BTU. But you have eliminated the stylish piece of furniture, certain safety features and such like.As for my own preferences, I do not expect to buy another, for no reason other than the cost. We own and use four 120 volt portable conventional heaters at 1500 watts and one 240 volt which uses 3,000 watts, produces 10,000 BTU. These heaters have served us well. They are not as attractive as the EdenPURE nor do they produce the soft, even heat. But when you consider that all five cost less than one EdenPURE of the same size as these small ones. I simply cannot justify spending that kind of money. But, if money is no problem with you, I believe the new lines now being produced by Biotech, their GEN 3 models, will probably be much improved over their earlier models.
One other thing, there is another company now producing a similar line of Infrared heaters. These are Comfort-Zone heaters produced by Earthwise Innovations. I have no user data whatsoever for this company's heaters. http://www.infraredappliances.com/compare.html
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Interesting, I had just read an advertisement on this heater to my husband over the weekend. From what I gather: the heater is as it says -- the question is how long it will work. Thank YouHi Nancy, thanks for reading and commenting. Yes, well I don't hardly know how to recommend these things. They are pretty as heater's go, and the warm pleasant is so soothing, but it is just an awful lot of money. Even in my case, I got two winters out of it and may be able to get it going again, but how much for the new thermostat or whatever it is wrong, and then how long will it last? They are nice and I'm sure many people have been very pleased. I was until it quit. If you get to considering them seriously, I believe I would take a closer look at the new Comfort Zone at the link above.I have two heaters. The first one purchased 3 years ago, now starting 4th year of service. Both machines have worked beautifully. My first one is smaller than my new one, last year. The big one sits in the den and I have open area space to dining room and hallway. It keeps those areas quite comfortable. The small one is in the master bedroom. I live in TX, winters are getting rougher. After 400 dollar heating bill 3 yrs ago I bought my heaters. The highest bill since then was last year during one month of below freezing temps. Highest bill 211.74. Haven't turned on center air since buying the Eden Pure.
Hi, Joel. We have had good results so far with these EdenPure heaters, for over three years and they have lowered our gas heating usage and costs. We now have four EP heaters in our home. These heaters must be allowed to build up before they make the low hum that indicates they are heating, but that's in the instructions that come with them. I'm sorry you have not had good usage from yours. We have found that ours often rest. Also, that first little "click" says that the heat level is as high as it needs to be for the moment. I imagine there are faulty heaters from this company, as you mention.We have had a good and different experience with them.Hi, Joel, it's me again. I mentioned your experience to my husband. He said we did have problems with two some time ago, last year, and he called the company. He had saved the box. They had someone come by and pick up both of them. I don't know if they sent new ones or repaired those. I would have asked him more details but he's up to his ankles in a painting job.
Blessings, JaneHi Jane and thanks for commenting. I didn't mean to be criticizing these heaters. We love the one we got (If I can just get it back to running). But the price is just a little to stiff for me.Mine is out of warranty so the best I can hope for is that I can get the proper part for it.
1kW = 3412 btu of heat. EdenPure is no different. You could take a refrigerator, place it in the middle or the room, and leave the door wide open, and it will HEAT your room with the EXACT same efficency as the EdenPure. In fact, the Refrigerator would actually produce more BTU's of heat, but the "cold side" would off-set the EXTRA resulting in a cumulative heating effect matching that of the EdenPure.Thanks for your input Anon, but you are wrong. A refrigerator produces no heat. It merely transfers the heat from the products inside the frig. to the outside. If you left the door open, it would simply break even.Actually, Anon is correct. Since no heat pump operates at 100% efficiency, they *do* produce heat. Heat is moved from cold side to hot side, yes, but excess heat is also dissipated at the hot side due to losses in the compressor. If your refrigerator pulls 100 W, then if you leave the door open, it will heat the room just like a 100 W heater.Sorry Penn, but you are not correct. The only heat actually produced by the refrigeration is from friction of the small motors and the light bulbs in it. The 100 watt bulb lighting your room will do that. The compressor produces no heat due to losses, whatever you mean by that. It is true that all the heat is not removed from the coolant but simply recirculates.Actualy, he's right. heat pumps are nowhere near 100% efficient. There are a lot of losses in the compressors, hence why they use a decent amount of current. The Law of Conservation of Energy mean that whatever goes into the system (current from the wall), comes out. In a fridge, most all of that energy comes back out as heat, with a small amount as fan/vibration/noise (discounting the lightbulb here).
So sure its cool inside, but more heat than you put in comes out the other side. That electricity doesnt just vanish.
Thanks for the information.
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1500 watts is 1500 watts no matter if it's incandescent or infrared. It all produced the same heat. I could build a box and put 15 / 100 watt light bulbs in with a fan and have the same " efficiency " the edenpure has. Oh wait,, I'll put a filter on it and call it a evenbetterpure, market that it's better than the edenpure cause all you need it do is replace light bulbs. I'll get Rush Limbaugh to endorse it and make millions. Some people would buy anything, all you have to do is to convince them it's the thing to do...
Well, you are right, 1500 watts will only produce 1500 watts worth of energy. But the efficiency of the product plays a part. moving parts, such as a fan, uses some of the energy to power the spinning of the fan. Also, infrared heat has a different feel, eventhough the heat may be the same. Radiant heat, heats objects in it's path whereas infrared heats the air molecules. Thanks for your comment.
[quote]Thanks for your input Anon, but you are wrong. A refrigerator produces no heat. It merely transfers the heat from the products inside the frig. to the outside. If you left the door open, it would simply break even. [/quote]
Sincerely, you couldn't be more incorrect.
That transfer of energy does take work to accomplish and there is a resulting increase in the temperature in that frame of reference......namely the room.
Anyway, there are many more reviews of the Eden heaters since this blog was started and the findings are that they are an inferior product distributed by a company that doesn't back up their stated return and warranty policies.Bob, I admitted that fact in the above comment. But an electric motor will not put as much heat into a room as an equal number of watts in a heater. Because, all energy does not become expended by heat , but is utilized in various ways. It is used in producing motion, in producing light and so on. Yes, they produce heat also but not nearly as much as a heater, which is designed to turn more of it's energy into heat. Why are some heaters less efficient than others, if both draw the same wattage? Electricity creates a magnetic field which runs an electric motor, not heat, yet it still uses wattage.
We have two heaters. One is 7 yrs old and have only replaced bulbs and fan kit. Other one is about 5 yrs old and now we have a "AO5 flash on screen. Does anyone know what this is? I love these heaters and use them as source of heat for whole house.
Karen, I'm sorry but I have no idea. I would try and pull up the manufacturer's website and perhaps you could find an answer, if not, maybe they have a toll free number you might call.
Hello Joel,
I'm curious since it's been 2 years now, did you get your heater working again? And did you try the other product that you were recommending? And do you have an opinion on the new models? And are you saying that you can get any kind of heater like the EdenPure and they will work just as well?
Will these heaters heat more than one room or is it like a window unit ac it will not move from room to room? If your saving over $100.00 a month then it looks like it pays for itself even with the $300. price tag? Thank you!No, I did not get it repaired. I worked for severakl years repearing elecrtical appliances and I decided to remove the thermostat and see if I could order another one. But in my effort to remove it, the mounting cracked open. Since it was out of warranty and I knew I would have several months in trying to get parts, I just dropped it.
You can move these heaters to any room you like, but it takes a while for one to heat up a cold room. To say you could knock $100 off your monthly bill, is in my own opinion, not true. I you did, you would certainly have a lot more cold space in the house.
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