Before buying a portable air conditioner, it helps to understand what you can expect and not expect from it. There is no way it will provide the cooling of central air, ductless air or even a really good window unit. I have owned all of these and speak from experience. However, when you move into a condo with all kinds of restrictions about what can be visible from the exterior or constraints on the architectural structure, then the portable is the best answer.
I have owned 4 of these and three different brands. My condo has three separate major spaces, 2 smaller for bedroom suite and office/den. The main living space is larger than the max recommended for any 120 volt unit, and that is where I now have the Soleus LX140.
The two smaller spaces are cooled with GE 10,000 BTU units that I have had for 5 years. HE quit making these units the year after I bought them They are quiet and have held up and keep the spaces in the upper 70s when the ambient temperature is in the mid 90s.
I used to have and Edgestar in the main space. I live in the Seattle area so only need the cooling about 2 months a year, and then not every day. The Edgestar was the worst unit I have ever owned. It was the noisiest unit and it quit in the middle of the second season. I called the manufacturer in Texas and they said it only had a 90 day warranty. They also said they had no service reps in the Pacific NW and couldn't help. After lengthy searching, I found one person who said they fixed them. After spending over $300, it still didn't work. The service tech said he would take it to the shop and return it in "New Condition." That was a year ago and I have never seen him or the unit again.
So I bought the Soleus. I found a dealer in Portland where I knew I could get to if needed. The manufacturer is in California, I can get there pretty easily too. Also, the Soleus has a 1 year warranty. I ordered the unit and it was delivered in 7 days. I set it up immediately but found that you had to use the remote to turn on the fan oscillator. It had to be the receiver or the transmitter, but I didn't know how to tell. I called the dealer, and within a few hours I got a call back from the manufacturer. They said they would send a new remote. If it still didn't work, they would send a label and an RMA. I got the remote in three days and everything worked.
The Soleus runs about 10 db quieter than the Edgstar. My main living space has 594 square feet and with partial cathedral ceilings about 5565 cubic feet. I am on the top floor, facing southwest with ceiling to floor glass across the entire space. Without any AC, the space has reached 110 degrees when it was 95 outside in the late afternoon. Also, there are no opening windows or sliding doors, so I am venting the unit up the fire place flu.
One week we had three days in the 90's. When it reached 98 degrees outside, the Soleus kept the space at 81. When the temperature reached 85 today, the Soleus kept the space in the mid 70s.
CONS: The only con I have at this point is that the fan oscillation is vertical instead of side to side.
The next test will be longevity as to how long it will hold up. However, at this time, the Soleus LX140 has proven to be the best unit of its type that I have used and I am very impressed with the technical service assistance of the manufacturer.
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This product is too LOUD for any room.
When I contacted the seller (Air & Water) there return prosess was beyond belief. I had to re Double Box the unit and ship it at a cost of approximately $382.46 and the unit cost was $489.90 a differance $107.44.
The shipment arrived in a ONE WAY carton, removal of the unit from shipping packaging required the package be distroyed.
$107.44 is a big difference for return of a $489.90 product.
I plan to contact the manufacture and inform them of their vendors return policy.
I believ Air & Water (seller) should inform buyers about the noise level on this product (NOT FOR BEDROOM)
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This unit is about as loud as a window A/C.
It works well. It puts out plenty of cool air.
The only downside I found, was that the hoses are only long enough to put the unit under the venting window.
My application required it to be about 10' from the window.
The hose extension kits available via other vendors are poor, so I am told. I made my own via flex ductwork (Same as drier venting ducts.) from Lowes. The only problem with this set-up is that the hoses that come with the unit are 5" in diameter and most of the flex duct work come in 4" or 6". Then you have the issue of how to connect the two hoses.
I contacted the retailer about available hose extension kits for this unit. They directed me to the manufacturer who never replied to my email.
As such, I returned the unit with the blessing of the manufacturer, who was responsive to my return request.
The bottom-line is that it is a good unit for the right application.
Honest reviews on Soleus LX-140 14,000 BTU Portable Evaporative Air Conditioner
As an air conditioner this product is so so at best...... Setting up as an air conditioner is awful! The tubes on the back don't want to stay where they are supposed to. It is all VERY CHEAP plastic on the back of the unit, so trying to connect the hoses to put into an open window is so frustrating. They just keep coming unattached on BOTH ends. CHEAP, CHEAP,CHEAP.
Truly, don't bother with this product, buy a real air conditoner.
