|
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.
The heaters were/are sold with a 30 day unconditional money back guarantee and a one year limited warranty. Especially in the early phase of sales of these heaters, there were some which had a problem when received, some after only a month or two of service and so on for the next year or two. However, I have no concrete data to verify the percentage of those problems as compared to sales whatsoever. I have only obtained this information from certain websites' comments where dissatisfied customers were allowed to air their complaints. From the number that I have found, I suspect that the percentage is quite within the expected norm of such appliances. The main difference in the disappointment, I think, is only in the difference in price.
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
    
|
tweet this!
