The Straight Facts On EdenPURE Infrared Heaters
Posted: Tuesday, December 16, 2008
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
In order to become fully aware of the EdenPURE infrared heater and it's companion line, the Sun Twin, we need to familiarize ourselves with the company and it's background. These products are built and marketed by Biotech Research, a subsidiary of The Saurez Corporation of Canton, Ohio. Saurez is a direct marketing corporation having been started in 1968 by Benjamin Saurez and became primarily involved in health products for the individual and home.
Both heater lines are fairly new and have suffered from growing pains in the form of a number of bugs in their engineering or production procedures. Some of their claims sound better than one can expect, although they are factual under the proper circumstances. When they say you can save up to 50% on your heating bill, you have to understand the proper process. They are not saying these heaters produce twice the heat of others of equal size. Here is a paragraph that explains how they mean it:First, the EdenPURE GEN3 and the Sun Twin GEN3 uses less energy to create heat than other sources, but that is just part of why it will cut a person's heating bill. The EdenPURE GEN3 and the Sun Twin GEN3 will heat a room in minutes. Therefore, you can turn the heat down in your house to as low as 50 degrees, but the room you are occupying, which has the EdenPURE GEN3, will be warm and comfortable. The EdenPURE GEN3 and the Sun Twin GEN3 are portable. When you move to another room, it will quickly heat that room also. This can drastically cut heating bills, in some instances, by up to 50%.
Their new lines for 2008, (photo above shown with remote control) which they call the Gen 3 model (indicating the third generation of both lines of their heaters) promises considerable improvement in the areas of most complaints such as thermostat, heat lamps and fan.
The prices of these heaters are much higher than your ordinary Nichrome wire coil, convection heaters. These heaters are produced in three sizes, 500 watt, 1000 watt and 1500 watt. The model 1500 which indicates 1500 watts of energy consumed, produces about 5,000 BTU of heat. One must remember that this is very little heat. If you buy one expecting it to do wonders, you will be sorely disappointed. The company claims one will heat up to 1,000 square feet. It is a wild stretch of the imagination to expect one to heat any normal home space of 1,000 square feet. It possibly would be able to heat that much space if it were heavily insulated and otherwise very tightly constructed. But for a normal average home, if expected to be the only source of heat, 200 to 250 square feet would be maximum. But this is true of all heaters of this wattage. Most 1500 watt portable electric heaters, regardless of their design, will produce only about 5,000 BTU of heat. And most houses with a furnace or other total heating system will require from 35,000 BTU and up, depending upon the size of the house and severity of the winter weather. These heaters are intended for single rooms or supplemental heat.
There have been a number of complaints by consumers as to the quality of the heaters. In comments left in response to articles about them, most are from unsatisfied owners who had early problems with the operation of the product and also a number have been dissatisfied with the response from customer service concerning their complaints. However, there are reasons to question the ultimate validity of this indicating an inferior product. Most satisfied owners, do not take the time to comment on their highly regarded heater while those who have been dissatisfied are often seeking an outlet to vent that dissatisfaction. Considering the fact that the company has sold thousands of these heaters, as compared to the number of complaints, it appears that there are probably no more defects to them than most other electrical items. It is more probable that the price of these items creates more hostility when a defect is found.
These heaters are beautiful and can blend with virtually any decor. They produce soft, pleasant feeling heat, the cabinet is cool to the touch and it is almost impossible for a baby or animal to be burned by one. If the cost, a 1500 watt price is around $450+ but often is discounted to about $350, is not too much of an issue and if you don't expect performance of a furnace from these room heaters, you will love them. They come with a 30 day money back guarantee and a 1 year limited warranty. Any appliance purchased from some distance away, is expected to be more hassle if it has to be returned or repaired. But this too, is inherent with mail order products.
The law prohibits the manufacture of portable electric heaters that operate on 120 volts which are larger than 1500 watts. The amount of heat produced by them varies due to the efficiency of each model or style, but it will be somewhere around 5,000 BTUs. This includes Infrared or Nichrome coil conventional heaters. So never expect a 120 volt heater to produce more heat than this. The major difference in these infrared heaters and the conventional type is price. The EdenPURE and Sun Twin are almost ten times as expensive as the conventional heaters. In exchange for this extra charge, you have a beautiful piece of furniture, safe around babies and pets, plus soft, pleasing warmth. I believe it is safe to say that they will not heat any more space than conventional heaters even though the room may feel warmer due to the overall smoother distribution of the heat.
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More commentsI have read so many opinions and articles about heaters....I'm more confused then before. I'm living in a rental with about 1300 square feet, older home. We only have baseboard heaters and after the first cold month our bill went from $100 to $370 so we need heaters. I don't know what our best opinion is?? We have small dogs and a small child. Thanks!Hi Ashley, from what you tell me, you may be in for expensive heating, regardless of how you heat. It will also depend upon the rates of electricity as compared to gas. I have both in my home and believe it or not, I have had to use one type one winter and maybe the next have to use the other, due to the fluctuation in rates. But, the best way, in my opinion, is for you to purchase 2, 3 or even more of 1500 watt portable electric heaters. Use one in each room you want to heat, so you can turn them off when you don't need them. The best I have found are the small boxey shaped metal ones, under several good brand names. Patton is a good one, and I recently saw a display of them in Walmart for $19.95 each. That is a steal. They usually cost $29. to $39. depending on where you buy them. I have 3 of those now and one much larger 220 volt.
The small ones plug right into any 110 volt outlet and one will heat almost any room.
Hope this helps some.
I believe it has convinced me not to buy any type of infrared heater. Thanks for the info
Don't be too hasty to blame infrared heat. It is a wonderful heat that sort of engulfs one when you enter the room...feels great. But it is the fancy cabinets which draw the big money. Put "infrared heaters" into a Google search engine window and you will pull up all sorts. Some under $100 which will supply the same heat as the fancy models. Some have the appearance of a floor-stand fan.
I should have researched more. We ordered ours on the 8th of November, got it last Wednesday, December 8th. Read the manual, found a good place to park the Eden Pure and turned it on. Our house is a bit over 1000sq.ft. We closed off the bedrooms, turned down the main heater to 60. It was cold all week, in the 20's and 30's. It kept our living room, kitchen area's comfortable but we all wear cold weather gear normally in the house to cut the heating bill anyhow. The main heater would not come on so apparently it kept the rooms above 60, how much I could not tell you. We would shut it down at night, turn off, let fan run until it stopped then unplug the unit. This is what we did for the last 3 days. This morning, normal routine, plug in unit, turn on and then watch news, weather, surf the web. An hour later and a cool adventure back to the living room I find it is still as cold as when I turned the heater on. No red glow from the inside of the box which is typical of it when it is working, as I have noticed these last three days. Again I turned off the unit, let it cool down for what reason I don't know but did it anyhow. Then unplugged and restarted, much to my surprise(extremely sarcastic) it is not working. Shut down yet again, this time went outside for several hours then came back in to try again.....guess what? If you guessed it was not working, you are correct.
Now, after nearly three weeks waiting to get the heater and having it for three days I will have to take time to rebox, carry it over 30 minutes to town to ship it back to somewhere, USA then wait for them to evaluate, fix and send it back or wait for them to send me a replacement unit. This has other mind numbing effects, how long will the "new" unit last? During which time I will be paying for said broken unit AND cranking up the electricity sucking heat pump to warm my home again. So my electric bill goes from the $200 per month based on last year to $289.99 per month while the unit is broke.
I am a small business owner so thinking about something that is "new" lasting only three days is just appalling. If something I built for a client only lasted three days and it failed I'd cut my wrists, eat poisen then shoot myself just because I could not stand the thought of the garbage that was associated with mine and my companies name. This unit will be sent back, they will not receive another penny. Been putting off building my wood stove, seems like I've just come into $400 to gather up the steel I need. Lasted three, 3 days! Are you kidding me?????
I can certainly sympathize with you. At least I got one full season out of mine. I bought my wife a cherry wood mantlewith built in electric heater (not infrared) which gives the same amount of heat, along with the appearance of burning logs...very realistic. We've used it over a year with no evidence of any problem. Cost less and is a much more beautiful piece of furniture. You can find those everywhere and the size and quality of the mantle or fireplace pretty much determines the cost
I did a little checking on Edenpure. Found a few things.
Let’s start with their claims:
1) “Reduced heating bills." This claim is not qualified. Naturally you assume these savings are vs. comparable electric heat (1500W). Simple math will point out that if one is generating heat from electricity, you can not get above 100% efficiency. This claim is VERY misleading!
2) “60 Day Guarantee / 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty." According to the BBB and related web sites, there is a 15% fee on all returns.
3) “Made in factories throughout Asia." I have no problem with imported products. But the return policy requires that the unit be returned to the factory. Because the factories are in Asia, there will be additional costs and time required for any return.
4) “Heats up to 1000 square feet." “Rated at approximately 5000 BTU."
Ok, according to my “old-school" BTuH/square feet chart, 1500W = 150-200 square feet. I performed a Manual J Heat load assuming an EXTREMELY insulated 1000 sq. ft. room with no windows or doors, and got a heating requirement of about 7000 BTU. In my book (and according to Manaul J) their claim is false.
5) “Conserves energy compared to most heaters." They do not qualify the term “most." This statement can not be used in comparison to electric resistance heat, since all resistance heat works at the same efficiency. This makes the claim very misleading.
I did a little checking on Edenpure. Found a few things.
Let’s start with their claims:
1) “Reduced heating bills." This claim is not qualified. Naturally you assume these savings are vs. comparable electric heat (1500W). Simple math will point out that if one is generating heat from electricity, you can not get above 100% efficiency. This claim is VERY misleading!
2) “60 Day Guarantee / 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty." According to the BBB and related web sites, there is a 15% fee on all returns.
3) “Made in factories throughout Asia." I have no problem with imported products. But the return policy requires that the unit be returned to the factory. Because the factories are in Asia, there will be additional costs and time required for any return.
4) “Heats up to 1000 square feet." “Rated at approximately 5000 BTU."
Ok, according to my “old-school" BTuH/square feet chart, 1500W = 150-200 square feet. I performed a Manual J Heat load assuming an EXTREMELY insulated 1000 sq. ft. room with no windows or doors, and got a heating requirement of about 7000 BTU. In my book (and according to Manaul J) their claim is false.
5) “Conserves energy compared to most heaters." They do not qualify the term “most." This statement can not be used in comparison to electric resistance heat, since all resistance heat works at the same efficiency. This makes the claim very misleading.
6) “Uses 6 commercial infrared quartz tubes." “Average element life is 5000+ hours or approximately 3 to 5 years." With 6 tubes, averaging about 4 years of life each, it is highly probable that in less than 4 years at least one of the tubes will burn out. At an average life of 4 years with six tubes, one can expect to have to replace a tube at least once a year over the life of the unit. Although replacement tubes are not terribly expensive, all service (including bulb replacement) must be done “by an authorized service center." This will greatly increase the cost of the unit over time.
7) “When heating larger areas, place the heater in a central location. If a ceiling fan is nearby, try using it at the same time to help distribute the heat evenly." In essence, in order to gain the actual advertised heating capability, a ceiling fan is required.
8) “Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, pillows, bedding, papers, clothes, and curtains at least three feet from the front of the heater and keep them away from the sides and rear." The advertising strongly suggests that placing objects, even people, close to or on the unit is permitted. Not according to the manual. The advertised pictures and tv spots showing the unit flush with a chair or couch is false advertising.
9) “Extreme caution is necessary when any heater is used by or near children or invalids and whenever the heater is left operating and unattended." Again, the advertised claim that the unit is safe around children is not supported by the user’s manual.
10) “Generally, it takes less than an hour" to heat a room. According to my Manual J calculations, even in an ideal environment, this unit will not be able to heat the room to 70f. The claims of less than an hour are qualified by the term “generally." It can only be assumed that this claim is true when another heating system is doing most of the work, and has brought the room temperature up to close to where the customer wants it.
11) “Can I use the heater if I have vaulted or cathedral ceilings? Yes, but it will take a little longer to heat the room initially. Once the room has reached the desired temperature it will cycle on and off accordingly." My Manual J calculations took into account a room 31’x31’x8’. The unit will not be able to cope with the additional heat requirements of a vaulted ceiling. This claim is false.
What do other people have to say about it?
1) Consumer reports gave it a bad grade, ranking it the lowest in its class. The price for the Edenpure unit was over 4 times as much as the Consumer Reports higher ranking units.
2) The BBB noted numerous complaints, most having to do with the advertising.
3) InfomercialRatings dot com provides a wealth of user complaints, the majority having to do with the unit not performing as advertised. A large number of people complained about difficulties with returns, repairs, and replacements. Several people noted fire hazards (melting screens).
The conclusion?
1) Costs way too much.
2) Claims to reduce heating bills are at best misleading.
3) Claims to heat up to 1000 square feet an outright exaggeration.
4) Difficult and expensive to have serviced when the six bulbs start to go out.
5) Not as safe as advertised.
Not a good buy.
Glenn
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"The great difficulty with arguing with logic against an illogical proposition is that the illogical proposition does not need to make sense."
WE LIVE IN VERMONT WHICH HAS A NASTY WINTER AND SINGLE DIGITS THAT START FROM DEC 1ST TILL MARCH. WE HAVE A GEN 4. USED IT IN OUR DOWNSTAIRS BUT REALIZED AFTER A MONTH THAT IT DOES NOT WARM AN AREA OF 1000 SQ FT. WE MOVED IT TO OUR MASTER BEDROOM WHICH IS APPROX 500 SQ FT AND IT KEEPS THE ROOM NICE AND WARM AT A LOW HEATING LEVEL. WE USE LP GAS WHICH NOT ONLY RUNS OUR NEW EFFICIENT FURNACE BUT ALSO OUR , STOVE , WATER AND DRYER. SO FAR IN JAN AND FEB WE HAVE ONLY USED 300 GALS COMPARED TO 2 -500 GAL TANK FILL UPS THIS TIME LAST YEAR. WE RUN THE TEMP IN THE HOUSE IN THE LOW 50'S AND ONLY TURN IT UP WHILE WE ARE DOWNSTAIRS. WE REALLY LIKE THIS PRODUCT AND ITS DEF SAVES ON COSTLY FUEL. I CANT GIVE AN ELECTRIC COST AS DURING THESE MONTHS WE HAD SOME PROJECTS GOING ON AND VISITORS THAT CHEWED IT UP SOMEWHAT. MY NEXT BILL WILL TELL US IF THERE IS A SAVINGS THERE.I'm glad to hear of your satisfaction with your purchase Warren, I do hope it will also last a long time. I've never had any thing against the heaters other than the frequent problems they have had. Hopefully the Gen-4 will be longer lasting. I also did not like their advertising which stretched the truth. You have done exactly as one must do, utilize the heater to it's best advantage. Thanks for your comment.
Six weeks after ordering this product, I still had not received it. I called, only to be told someone would get back to me. My emails went unanswered. Finally I gave up and canceled the order. Five hour later I received email saying the heater had just been shipped. The reference number they supplied for the shipping company showed the heater was not picked up until the afternoon of the following day. After just 3 weeks of using the heater, it stopped producing heat. Thinking it was still under warranty, I called to find out how to return it. I was told the unit was no longer under warranty. From what I was told, they considered the warranty to begin the day you order/purchase the heater, not from the day they ship it, or when you receive it. They didn't seem to care that it was their fault it wasn't shipped immediately, so I'm stuck with a heater that blows cold air. Maybe I can use it this summer as an air conditioner.
well i got mine from the town dump, it looked ok got it home and pluged it in, well guess what it didnt work, so being the electronics tech that i am lets see if it can be fixed.
about a hundred screews later i got it apart and started to look for the trouble.
i must say that the unit is well built. unit was very clean inside so i guess it didnt get much use.
i would say that a power surg or lightning got this one, ok for the tech's who want to try ,on the front pannel control board ac line power coming in has a svp on the board shorted and the fuse blown. replaced them and my heater works great and it was free but 4 a 1/2 hr of my time. and ya it will only heat 1 room no better than a $30 unit
bob
I was told to send unit back for replacement in warantee. Then I got a letter saying it was not in warantee and gave me a number to call. 5 attempts with much time spent waiting netted no human response. Several months later I finally reached someone who said they send all warantee items back to manufacture and I was out of luck because this is corporate policy. This is theft. They took my unit under false pretenses and did not return it or offer a repair. How can suck a crooked company stay in business?
My parents have level pay where they just moved to ($64 per month all year long) and no longer need supplemental heat for the most part. They had a 3rd gen for 3 seasons. This year it stopped blowing heat. Only one element was working. It was worth it for me to acquire the eden pure for free and pay $100 for elements. I put them in myself and it was real easy, Took 1.5 hours. Google the step by step video of the process.
Last night it was in the teens and my bedroom was a lot warmer then the normal space heater could make it. I had to turn it down to about half. I live in a mobile home so insulation and windows are not the best. I would have to say that the eden pure does a great job. I can not afford to put any propane in my tank so I hope this heater will work good all winter long. Even if it breaks every season I am sure to save money.
Not sure where people say that it only saves up to 50% to use space heat. My gas bill in Kansas City, Mo one winter month was $280. I went to space heat and the electric bill went up $28 and the gas bill went down over $180. Now take to account that propane cost even more then gas and space heat wins hands down. So if u dont mind being cold. Moving the kids to your bedroom stepping on toys when u get out of bed etc etc, then you can save a lot more. It all depends on your budget or willingness to save otherwise.
In the morning I am the first up and I fire up 2 space heaters then crack the oven door and turn it to 350. I let that all run for about an hour and it raises the temp up 15-20. I should add also that I have a small space heater running on low when we are not in the living room to keep temp around 50 at night. So when I run the other 3 for an hour it gets temp back up to around 65 or 70. That way when my wife and kids get up its not cold. I work outside so cold does not bother me.
Just my real world input. Been space heating now for 4 years. Only thing that I would do if I could is get a wood burner or if u have a fire place put a insert in with forced air. Thats the best cheapest heat but also need a good humidifier. Its pretty much optional to use a humidifier with space heat.
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