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List Price: $449.99
Sale Price: $334.00
Today's Bonus: 26% Off
I purchased this unit in May 2012. I used it to cool my apartment for almost four months. I started using the unit's supplemental heating feature in September 2012. At that time, I noticed that whenever the temperatures outside plunged BELOW 45 degrees Fahrenheit, a BURNING SMELL would come from the unit while operating in the supplemental heat mode... and when that happens, the unit provides little to no heat whatsoever! The unit indicates that its supplemental heating feature provides you with an additional heat source "when needed." But what it SHOULD indicate is that its supplemental heating feature provides you with an additional heat source "only when the outside temperatures are 45 degrees Fahrenheit or HIGHER." When I brought this issue to the attention of the manufacturer of this unit (Electrolux Major Appliances), the manufacturer completely disregarded the issue! I had to contact a DIFFERENT air conditioner manufacturer (Friedrich Air Conditioning Co., Ltd.) in order to find out the TRUTH about this unit! This unit is a HEAT PUMP heating unit, rather than a STRAIGHT ELECTRIC heating unit. STRAIGHT ELECTRIC heating units can operate efficiently EVEN WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW 45 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. This unit is NOT a STRAIGHT ELECTRIC heating unit, but is instead a HEAT PUMP heating unit, which means that the outside temperatures must be 45 degrees Fahrenheit OR HIGHER in order for this unit's heating feature to operate. According to Friedrich Air Conditioning Co., Ltd., attempting to use HEAT PUMP heating units when outside temperatures are below 45 degrees Fahrenheit will OVERWORK THE COMPRESSOR and can cause a BURNING SMELL to come from the unit while operating... essentially shortening the lifespan of the unit. So if you are looking for a unit that can provide supplemental heating IN MORE EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES, then this is NOT the appropriate unit for you!
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Love this unit, should not be used for only heating source as in the dead of winter it will not warm. we have 8 of these in a small seasonal motel and have had zero issue with them and the operating ambient temp of 40 degrees and it keep the rooms warm enough. I dont beleive it would work well anything below that tempurature.
Best Deals on Frigidaire FRA08PZU1 8,000 BTU Cool/3,500 BTU Heat Compact Window
BACKGROUND
Traditional heat/cool ACs are specialty appliances, like window ACs that are short or narrow. They're installed where a single appliance does both summer and winter duty (think motel). Usually 220v, they produce ample heat and have ample power bills to go with them. This is because they operate like giant space heaters with resistance coils. But in a world of ever increasing energy costs, there's a better way. Its called a heat pump. Window heat pumps are rare and 120v heat pumps even more so. This is the only one made by Frigidaire and only one other company also makes only one.
THEORY
Normally the purview of expensive mini split systems, heat pumps make heat out of thin air, using much less energy than other methods of electric heat. Most window ACs on the market only make cold. This takes heat on the inside and moves it outside. Heat pumps have the ability to run in reverse. They capture heat on the outside and move it inside. Why is this useful? Because moving heat is way more efficient than making heat. This window unit can generate 3 times more BTU per watt than a space heater. Simply put, if half your winter power bill is currently making heat with space and baseboard heaters, this will cut your power bill by more than one quarter.
LOCATION
But, as other reviews indicate, this process is only effective when the outside temperature is above freezing. This model works great in the southeast, south, southwest, and northwest, where winter temperatures rarely go below 40. This model is a poor choice for the northeast and other climates with regular snow fall.
INSTALLATION
The only issue I have with this model is its size. Its 85lbs and closer in size to 12-18k (medium) window units. This reduces vibration and makes it quieter but also limits the number of places it can be installed. The smallest size you should consider is 23 inches across and that requires not using the side skirts (just get extra foam strips). Fortunately, the sleeve system reduces installation difficulty (not having to hold it while getting the bits in place) and allows for both window and through-the-wall installation. Just make sure to wear gloves when moving the inner sled.
USE
Its a little counterintuitive, how a machine with big moving parts can use less energy than a tiny little heater. But thats how much power a glowing red coil uses. This unit really does take less power than a hair dryer. It also solves that annoying burn smell so common with electric heating. It also solved my moisture problems, eliminating the need for the space/cost/power of a separate dehumidifier. Just plan for condensate: winter heating in the humid PNW, it drips more than an AC in the summer. And of course, when summer hits, no second appliance needed just change modes!
I bought one for the office and liked it so much I bought a second for the house. With enough insulation in your windows/walls and combined with an air circulator (fan or air cleaner), it can handle multiple rooms. Heating my small kitchen, living, dining, hall, and two bedrooms with a single unit, it does need an hour or two head start in the morning, but thats what the timer is for.
POWER
This 120v model can easily operate on an empty circuit. It should not be on the same circuit as other heavy appliances. This model actually has 3 systems/modes, with 3 BTU ratings and 3 wattage levels:
Cool: 8000 BTU @ 815 watts
Heat Pump: 7000 BTU @ 780 watts
Heat Strip: 3500 BTU @ 1290 watts
The middle one is the point of this appliance. The heat strip is a kind of insurance, coming on automatically when the heat pump cannot (but using more power while giving you less heat). Such as when its to cold outside or the compressor was recently cycled. Like old fashioned resistance heaters, if the heat strip hasn't been operated in a while, it will make a burning smell. This is normal and should 'burn off'.
NOTES
Window ACs only have one power level, the BTU rating of the compressor. The compressor runs at a constant rate until a target temp is reached and then cycles off. Low/medium/high only effects the fan speed. The higher the fan speed, the more diffused the total cool/heat output will be and the less cool/hot the air coming out will feel. Higher fan speeds cool/heat better when the extra air flow better distributes the cool/heat generated by the compressor. If you need more cold/heat than medium provides, you need more BTU (a bigger unit), an air circulator, or both.
Air circulators (like the Air King 9214) are handy window AC companions. Placed nearby, they dramatically increase the reach of wall/window units and with AC and fan on low, are also quieter. Cold gets removed from the area near the AC, allowing it to run longer and cool more. Meanwhile, areas further away get colder sooner and stay cooler longer (replace cooler with warmer for winter operation).
Sleep mode does the opposite of the set mode, cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer. If you prefer sleeping cooler both seasons, just press sleep in morning when using cool mode.
Heat mode operates like cool mode when energy saver is on. Cycling off/on to check the room's temp.
This model does not have the loud beep found on other late model Frigidaires.
Most negative window AC reviews are because of shipping problems. Consider ordering "shipped to store", so you can inspect the box before accepting it and won't have to handle the return if there's an issue.
PDFS
Full specs: http://manuals.frigidaire.com/prodinfo_pdf/Edison/FRA08PZU1_0213_EN.pdf
...installation guide: http://manuals.frigidaire.com/prodinfo_pdf/Edison/2020217a2196.pdf
...and user manual: http://manuals.frigidaire.com/prodinfo_pdf/Edison/2020218a1104en.pdf
Honest reviews on Frigidaire FRA08PZU1 8,000 BTU Cool/3,500 BTU Heat Compact Window
Ordered when my repair guy was having trouble finding an AC/Heat unit to replace in conference room. Uses regular electrical outlet. Not only works great, but the heater also turns off and on to keep temp even. A energy saver on AC. Arrived promptly (used prime) and in good condition. Fit perfectly, easy install.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Frigidaire FRA08PZU1 8,000 BTU Cool/3,500 BTU Heat Compact Window
Works great. Multiple speeds and ankles. Easy to use remote. I would buy it again. Haven't had a chance to use the heater functions.
