1234 Product Review: Lux Win100 Programmable Outlet Thermostat

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Product Review: Lux Win100 Programmable Outlet Thermostat

The Win100 Lux Programmable Thermostat is a plug in thermostat that allows you to control a space heater or portable air conditioner using the small temperature probe and electronic thermostat.
Ease of Use/Performance: 23/25
Convenience/Storage 24/25
Appearance/Design 23/25
How much I enjoy 24/25

Total: 94/100
Lux Products sells a wide range of thermostats and one very useful gadget that follows their other product line, a thermostat that plugs into an outlet to control one device using temperature. The Win100 is a simple plug in thermostat that has one outlet plug for use with a heater or air conditioner that can be controlled by the thermostat.
The Win100 is a 120 volt, 15 amp 1/2 horse power capable device so portable air conditioners can be used with the device as well as space heaters. The outlet for your device is on the bottom half below the controls and LED screen directly opposite the plug in on the back.
The small LED screen flashes between the current temperature and time as well as displays the set temperature, heat or cool setting, status and day of the week. The temperature probe on the back is on a short one inch wire above the battery compartment for the two small coin batteries.
There is an On/Off switch on the side that totally disconnects the power to the outlet for safety or if you are leaving for a time and want to interrupt power till you set it back on. The Win100 has a simple thermostat program that has weekday and weekend settings so you can set the day and time you want for a specific temperature.
You can set the times and temperature easily but following the directions is always advised with these types of programmable thermostats. The days are broken down to four separate times you can have the temperatures set and you can change all the times to when you want the device to turn on or off your heater or air conditioner.
I used the Win100 Thermostat with an air conditioner as well as two different heaters and had fantastic results with it, no problems at all and no failures. The thermostat worked fine for both devices and I had no problems with keeping an fairly constant temperature for my office using the air conditioner.
I used two space heaters that worked just fine with the thermostat and were especially handy to use with a wall hung far infrared heater. The thermostat can be programmed just like your home thermostat so you can set times like when you arrive home from work and want to sit in front of the TV and have the heater only come on during that time.
The Win100 Thermostat has the prongs to plug in toward the bottom so it does not cover a second outlet below it when plugged into the upper outlet. The device is 3 inches by five inches and an inch and a half deep with an inch and a quarter by half inch LED display under the flip up cover.
One word of caution that both the Lux Products website and the instructions make note of is using an air conditioner or heater that automatically restarts when plugged in. Some devices do not restart or turn on when power is interrupted, especially air conditioner units with electronic controls.
You need to check the owner's manual of the device you use but often devices with simple power on and level settings without LED screens are alright to use. I wanted the Win100 Thermostat to use with a heater that has no on off switch, the Prestyl heating panel, which is this kind of device.
The Win100 costs about $30 and can be found online at Amazon and at several stores including Ace Hardware, Lowes and Menards locally. I highly recommend the Win100 Programmable Thermostat if you need a thermostat to control one heater or air conditioner that does not have controls itself.

Buying Guide to Window Air Conditioners

If you don't have central air conditioning, you will most likely need to rely on a window air conditioner for your summer cooling needs. The average price for most models has become very reasonable over the past few years, but many of these models may not be what you are looking for. Let's take a quick look at what you need to know about a window air conditioner before making your purchase. Your Windows
A window air conditioner is typically meant for use for double-hung windows. In the event that you have a different type of window in your home, you will need to look for specific models that can be safely installed. Your other options will include portable models that are not actually installed in your windows. If you cannot find a window air conditioner that can be used with your existing windows, you may need to have a contractor or a friend come up and cut a hole in your wall for your air conditioner. Keep in mind that you will need to purchase a cover for this permanent unit to keep cold air out during winter.
If you have windows that do not have a wooden frame you may end up having to drill holes to securely attach your window air conditioner. Most window air conditioners will require at least some drilling for proper installation. This will ensure that your air conditioner does not fall out of the window, preventing damage to the unit and possibly injury to someone below.
BTU's
All window air conditioners are rated using BTU's. This will give you a guide at how effectively they can cool a certain amount of space. You will need to know the square footage of your rooms before you can select the right window air conditioner. A good rule of thumb to follow is: 6000 BTUs will cool approximately 200 square feet. If your room is smaller than this, you should select either a 6000 BTU model or one that is a little bit smaller. If you are working with a very large room, you will need at least 8000 BTUs or more to effectively cool the space. Err on the side of caution and purchase a window air conditioner that can cool a space larger than your existing room. One downside to air conditioners that have more BTU's is that they are usually much larger than their weaker counterparts. If you are working with a room that has a small window and a lot of space, you may want to consider a permanent installation.
Features
Window air conditioners now have several new features that make them even more effective. For example, many units now come with remote controls so that you can easily change the temperature settings or increase the speed. This is a great option for a window air conditioner that will be used in a bedroom. Other features include timed on and off, which can help you cut your cooling bill significantly.
The type of filter that your window air conditioner will use is also important. Most come with a simple filter that you should remove and wash at least once a week. However, newer models now offer HEPA filters which are a great feature for allergy sufferers. Never run your window air conditioner without this filter, as you may void the warranty and cause serious damage to the unit.
Energy Efficiency
Newer window air conditioners are much more energy efficient than older models and can greatly reduce your cooling costs. It is never cheap to run a window air conditioner, but you can save money by purchasing an energy efficient unit and only running it during peak hours when the heat is truly unbearable.

Product Review: The "Green" Portable Air Conditioner

I love air conditioners. We have air conditioners in every room in the house. Don't ask why we don't just get central air, because the sister might hear you. It is a cherished time honored ritual to strain guts, gash walls, and smash appendages when hauling out six air conditioners each spring and storing them in the cellar each fall. It's tradition, so don't argue. Anyway, to me, an air conditioner pays for itself, many times over, on the first hot day of summer. I do have one problem with the newer ones, though. Have you seen all those buttons on them? We just bought a "green" portable air conditioner, and it has more doo-daahs on it than the mother board of a rocket ship. Let's look at a few.
To begin with, the "green" air conditioner was advertised as portable. Well, call me crazy, but if that thing is portable, I'm pregnant. It does roll on a bare floor, but on a carpet, I'd need a pack mule. Needless to say, it's staying where it is.
There are several safety precautions to follow, and they read much like all the other safety precautions we idiots need to survive, like don't run the air conditioner in the bath tub or near a swimming pool. Don't use if the wires are frayed. Duh, duh, and triple duh.
After wading through the advantages of the "green" air conditioner, the parts and features page, and the assembly and installation (ASSEMBLY????) I reached the "Operation" section. First we have a paragraph on the "power control". Did you know that the power button turns the appliance on and off? Now that I had that straight, I continued on to the "warning light", which oddly enough warns me of a problem.
The "mode control" cools, dehumidifies, or functions as a fan. I thought, if I had wanted a dehumidifier or a fan, I would have purchased one, but then what do I know. I dutifully read the information about the different modes, and took note of the **NOTES** which basically reinforced the last of the safety precautions that I and everyone else in the world skip over because the first ones are so stupid.
I really don't care about a timer on my air conditioner, so I didn't pay too much attention to this section. Trust me, if it goes off before I want it to, this "green" portable air conditioner is going back to where it came from. I connected the big hose thingy to the other whatchamacallit, stuck the panel in the window and stood back to admire my assemblation.
My glasses were sliding down to the end of my nose, and the two inevitable wet splotches had appeared under my boobs by the time I finally arrived at the moment of truth. Man vs. the "green" portable air conditioner. I was instructed to "press the power control button on."
Nuthin. I was sweating like a stuck pig and blown up like a tick from the humididity (Yes, I know I misspelled humidity. I like to because some people think it's funny, dammit) I did what every red-blooded American does when something doesn't work. I stood there for a few minutes staring at the air conditioner, waiting for the Gods of dumb luck to FIX IT!
Nuthin. A light bulb went off in my sweaty head. Where the hell was that remote? It was there when I started. Oh yeah. I put it where I would know where it was, right in the end table cubby with the other wires, attachments, and doo-daahs that we never use.
Just as I grabbed it, the dumb luck Gods came through. A blast of cool air began dispersing throughout the ninety degree living room, and all was right with the world. The sister came in with her tool belt and actually looked a bit disappointed that she didn't get to hammer anything.
To make a long story even longer, (why do people say "to make a long story short" and then keep talking, making it even longer?) I was sitting there enjoying the 68 degree room temperature when a question came to mind. Why do air conditioners have all those buttons? I don't need three modes, four speeds, or a timer/temperature control. I don't need pretty lights to tell me what mode or speed I'll never use.
So my "green" portable air conditioner gets zero for every advertized advantage except the cooling factor. And just to be clear, it's not even green.
Can't someone just sell a one button rig with an "on super cool full blast and keep blasting until I turn you off" switch? I'll take it from there.

Product Review: Sharp CV-P10MX Portable Air Conditioner

The Sharp CV-P10MX is a portable air conditioner that produces 9,500 BTUs per hour. The unit has an approximate price of $550. Let's take a look at some of the features offered by the device. The Sharp CV-P10MX portable air conditioner features a self-evaporating system that dispels water out using an exhaust hose. Since it's a tankless design that removes water during operation, you never have to worry about emptying buckets. Most other portable units require you to empty a container designed to collect water.
The Sharp CV-P10MX comes equipped with a dehumidifier. The dehumidifier is capable of collecting up to 60 pints of moisture from the air each day. The unit also features the Plasmacluster Ion generator. The generator releases negative and positive ions into the air.
This portable air conditioner provides an air flow of 280 cubic feet per minute. The Sharp CV-P10MX also features automatic oscillating louvers. The louvers help distribute air more evenly throughout the room. The unit also has four-way air direction that move up, down, left, and right. This allows you to direct cool air to a specific area in the room.
The Sharp CV-P10MX portable air conditioner also comes with a remote control that has an LCD display. The remote allows you to control the air conditioner from anywhere in the room. You can change the timer, mode, and fan speeds with the convenient remote control. The unit comes equipped with three separate fan speeds and a 12-hour timer.
This portable air conditioner weighs approximately 83 pounds. However, it's situated on four casters. The casters allow you to move the Sharp CV-P10MX portable air conditioner to different room throughout your home without too much trouble.
You will also appreciate the noise produced by the Sharp CV-P10MX. The unit only produces about 36 decibels when operating on the lowest setting. This is much quieter than other portable air conditioners. The low noise makes this unit ideal for use in your bedroom without disturbing your sleep.
If you're in the market for a portable air conditioner, then you should take a hard look at the Sharp CV-P10MX. The oscillating louvers distribute air evenly throughout the room, while the four-way air direction allows you to direct air to specific spots. Although the Sharp CV-P10MX weighs 83 pounds, you can easily move it to different rooms as it is situated on four casters.

Are Ductless Air Conditioners Right for You?

Ductless air-conditioners are a unique cooling appliance that splits the difference between through-the-wall and central air-conditioning. Popular for many years in Europe and Asia, ductless mini split air conditioners and heat pumps are at fast becoming just as popular in the United States. Ductless air conditioners are ideal for installations where adding ductwork is nearly impossible, especially in older homes and buildings. These conditioners are really efficient and quiet and they similar to central air units but they are smaller and quieter. In a way, a ductless air conditioner is a traditional window-mounted unit and a ducted central air system combined.
Ductless air conditioners are called "mini-split" systems because they are similar to a regular ducted split central air conditioner, only on a smaller scale. Ductless split-system air-conditioners combine the zoning flexibility of a conventional room unit (a single air-conditioner installed through a wall or a window frame) with the whole-house cooling potential of central systems.
They typically consist of two basic parts: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. An indoor unit contains an air handling unit, an evaporator. Multiple evaporators may be attached to a single compressor. Variable speed high efficiency fans are also available. A separate outside portion is called a compressor/condenser.
And because ductless air conditioning systems don't require large spaces unlike central or window air conditioning systems, they can be installed anywhere in the room and fit easily into the rooms where central air conditioning systems simply just don't. Additional advantages over central air conditioners include the attractive designs, easy installation. quiet operation, versatility in zoning and design, and security. (Window air conditioners are portable, but they represent safety concerns with unlocked windows.) The split systems also eliminate the loss of cool air as it passes through the ductwork.
The main disadvantage of split-system units is their cost. These units command an investment of about $1,500-$2,000 per ton (12,000 Btu/h) of cooling capacity. This is about 30% more expensive than central systems and twice the cost of window units of similar capacity.
The investment may be leveled when compared with the advantage of not having to rewire an entire house to cool (or heat) those areas without ducts and the efficiencies gained in zone cooling. Afterall, its certainly much less expensive over time to cool only the parts of the home where its immediately needed.
Ductless air conditioners can be purchased where most air conditioners are found online and offline at most chain hardware stores.

Are Ductless Air Conditioners Right for You?

Are Ductless Air Conditioners Right for You?Ductless air-conditioners are a unique cooling appliance that splits the difference between through-the-wall and central air-conditioning. Popular for many years in Europe and Asia, ductless mini split air conditioners and heat pumps are at fast becoming just as popular in the United States.

Ductless air conditioners are ideal for installations where adding ductwork is nearly impossible, especially in older homes and buildings. These conditioners are really efficient and quiet and they similar to central air units but they are smaller and quieter. In a way, a ductless air conditioner is a traditional window-mounted unit and a ducted central air system combined.
Ductless air conditioners are called "mini-split" systems because they are similar to a regular ducted split central air conditioner, only on a smaller scale. Ductless split-system air-conditioners combine the zoning flexibility of a conventional room unit (a single air-conditioner installed through a wall or a window frame) with the whole-house cooling potential of central systems.
They typically consist of two basic parts: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. An indoor unit contains an air handling unit, an evaporator. Multiple evaporators may be attached to a single compressor. Variable speed high efficiency fans are also available. A separate outside portion is called a compressor/condenser.
And because ductless air conditioning systems don't require large spaces unlike central or window air conditioning systems, they can be installed anywhere in the room and fit easily into the rooms where central air conditioning systems simply just don't. Additional advantages over central air conditioners include the attractive designs, easy installation. quiet operation, versatility in zoning and design, and security. (Window air conditioners are portable, but they represent safety concerns with unlocked windows.) The split systems also eliminate the loss of cool air as it passes through the ductwork.
The main disadvantage of split-system units is their cost. These units command an investment of about $1,500-$2,000 per ton (12,000 Btu/h) of cooling capacity. This is about 30% more expensive than central systems and twice the cost of window units of similar capacity.
The investment may be leveled when compared with the advantage of not having to rewire an entire house to cool (or heat) those areas without ducts and the efficiencies gained in zone cooling. Afterall, its certainly much less expensive over time to cool only the parts of the home where its immediately needed.
Ductless air conditioners can be purchased where most air conditioners are found online and offline at most chain hardware stores.

Portable AC & Heat Pumps

Portable AC & Heat Pumps

Air Conditioning > Portable Units   Room Cooling   Portable AC Basics   Portable AC Types   Key Features	If you are looking for an air conditioning product which can provide cooling to a particular room, office cubicle, basement den, or other enclosed space, in most cases that means that you are in the market for a portable AC unit. These are smaller, more versatile, and less expensive than their central system counterparts, such as those used to cool an entire house.
Room Cooling If you are looking to cool an entire home or a multi-room apartment, a central system is going to provide the most comfortable, steady, and reliable air conditioning option. Not only are central AC systems more powerful and less noisy than portable air conditioners, they also provide a more even distribution of cool air throughout the home. In addition, central AC units are controlled from a single thermostat and do not require temperature adjustment in each room separately. However, central AC systems are also significantly more expensive than portable air conditioners and use more energy. For small apartments and highly budget conscious consumers, portable air conditioners can provide a more affordable option. In addition, portable air conditioners can make a lot of sense for spaces which are only used occasionally, such as garages, dens, or attics in particularly warm climates. Cooling such areas with a central AC system when they are not often utilized is a waste of money and energy. While a central AC system is large, fixed in place, and needs ductwork, a portable air conditioner is small, mobile, and does not require ductwork. A portable AC unit may be placed on the floor, on a table, on a window sill, or atop just about any other flat surface, and can be easily moved from place to place. Such a unit still requires an opening into which to vent the hot air that it removes from the ambient space, such as a window, a wall opening, or a drop ceiling. Certain portable air conditioners condense the moisture which they remove from the air into a water bucket, while others evaporate the moisture. Many city dwellers who live in older apartment buildings that do not have centralized AC systems will find that window air conditioners are more than sufficient for their cooling needs, particularly if the apartment is a 2-bedroom unit or smaller. This is especially true for individuals who work during the day and may not be present in their apartment at all until evening hours. Renters typically do not need the building's permission to put in a window air conditioner, as these do not represent a permanent installation. Then, when the renter moves the air conditioning unit can either be brought along to the new place or, if it becomes unnecessary, sold for a portion of its purchase cost. [Back to Top] Portable AC Basics A portable air conditioner has all of key components of either the refrigeration cycle, in the case of a refrigerative portable AC, or the evaporation cycle, in the case of an evaporative portable AC, in a single self-contained and easily transportable unit. These units may be either carried or wheeled from place to place, providing spot air conditioning wherever it may be needed. Refrigerative portable AC units operate using the refrigeration cycle described above. As these units cool the air in a given space, they remove moisture from the interior air and produce hot air which must be vented outside of the area being cooled. Portable refrigerative air conditioners come in two forms, split and hose. These compressor-based refrigerant systems are air-cooled, meaning they use air to exchange heat, in the same way as a car or typical household air conditioner. Such a system dehumidifies the air as it cools it. It collects water condensed from the cooled air, and produces hot air which must be vented outside the cooled area; doing so transfers heat from the air in the cooled area to the outside air. A portable split system uses an indoor unit in conjunction with an outdoor unit, where the indoor unit can be wheeled or carried from location to location. The indoor unit, which contains the evaporation coils, is connected to the outdoor unit via flexible pipes or ducts. As a result, such a unit is not significantly different from a more permanently installed central split AC system. By contrast, a portable hose model is comprised of a single unit and uses a duct or vent to dispel the hot air to an outside area. A monoblock model collects the moisture removed from the air and condensed into water in a specialized tray or bucket which must be periodically emptied. An air-to-air model evaporates the collected moisture and expels it, along with the hot air, into the vent hose. Evaporative portable AC units, also referred to as “swamp coolers” or “swamp air conditioners”, do not utilize the full refrigeration cycle and lack either a compressor or a condenser. Rather, evaporative AC units use the same principle as humans and animals when they secrete sweat on top of their skin. When the sweat evaporates, this removes heat from the skin and creates a cooling effect. Similarly, evaporative AC units use cooling fins which evaporate water and thereby pull heat from the surrounding air. The benefit of swamp coolers is that they need no venting and use less energy than refrigerative air conditioners. However, the drawback is that they do not work very well in highly humid environments and do not remove humidity from the air to any appreciable extent. Given the role humidity plays in creating a hot, stifling atmosphere indoors, such coolers are only appropriate for dry climates. In addition to these types of portable air conditioners, there are further sub-types which are specifically designed for household use. Most of you are familiar with window air conditioners and through-the-wall air conditioners, which, although portable, are semi-permanently installed and provide dedicated cooling to a specific room. [Back to Top] Portable AC Types We have briefly discussed the basics of portable air conditioners. Unlike central AC systems, portable air conditioners only have enough power to cool a single interior space. As a result, portable units, as well as semi-permanent portable units such as window and through-the-wall models, are commonly referred to as room air conditioners. Relative to a central AC system, a room air conditioner provides affordability, out-of-the-box usability, and ductless installation. However, a room air conditioner is less efficient, less powerful, and less quiet. It is only able to cool a single room and its cooling is not as consistent, particularly for larger spaces. A room air conditioner, or set of room air conditioners, is not generally an effective solution for a multi-room home. The cost of purchasing multiple units coupled with the higher utility bills of running them will provide limited cost savings relative to a central AC system. At the same time, the comfort and convenience of such a make-shift setup is far less. Consequently, a room air conditioner is more appropriate for college dormitories; for studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments; for individual spaces such as garages, sheds and exercise rooms; and for small storefronts, such as barbershops, deli counters, and boutiques. Room air conditioners can also be used as an add-on to an existing centralized system in order to provide extra cooling for a specific area or to air condition a space that is outside of the centralized system’s reach. In addition to the portable air conditioners discussed earlier, which are typically floor units that may be carried or wheeled from room to room, the most common room air conditioner types are window units and through-the-wall units. Both are semi-permanent installations that fall somewhere between a portable AC unit and a central AC system. Like a portable air conditioner, window and through-the-wall air conditioners provide cooling to an individual space, work right out of the box, and offer a ductless installation. However, these units have a higher installation requirement than portable air conditioners and are intended to remain in place once installed. In addition, window and through-the-wall air conditioners often provide more cooling capacity than portable units. Through-the-wall and window air conditioners provide dedicated cooling to an individual room or space and are often an appropriate solution for a living space where no central air conditioning is available. Through-the-wall air conditioners are more challenging to install than window air conditioners, as they require cutting through a wall rather than simply raising a window. Where window units usually extend past the window into the outside space, through-the-wall air conditioners are typically flush with the exterior wall. In addition, through-the-wall air conditioners can be installed into an internal wall and vent into the wall space rather than outside. Although they are more challenging to install, the benefit of through-the-wall air conditioners is that they do not use up window space or render the window unusable. Window or through-the-wall air conditioners may be installed in every room of a living space in order to provide cooling to the entire home. However, in addition to the bulkiness of such a system, it generally ceases to be cost-efficient vis-à-vis a central AC system for a home that has more than four or five separate rooms. Moreover, such a setup is only useful during the summer when cooling is necessary. In the winter, the system will not provide heating the way a packaged AC system with a heating element, or a heat pump, are able. In fact, a window air conditioner can reduce the heat insulation of that particular window in the winter. [Back to Top] Key Features In choosing a room air conditioner, an important consideration in addition to type is the available feature set of the unit. Specific features worth noting include airflow louvers, readouts and controls, efficiency aids, and available modes. Each of these features can help with effective, comfortable, and efficient operation of the air conditioner. Louvers are essentially slats that direct the flow of cool air coming from the air conditioner. A room air conditioner which features adjustable louvers will allow the residents to fine-tune the direction of the cool air flow, providing greater control over the way a particular room is air conditioned. Readouts and controls are the interface between the user and the air conditioning unit. A digital readout and large, clearly-labeled button controls provide for greater convenience and increased ease of use. Many units also come standard with a remote control, which can provide additional flexibility and be of particular importance for elderly or disabled users. Efficiency aids refer to built-in functionality that serves to limit the energy usage of the air conditioning unit. Examples of such functionality include built-in timers which use a particular time of day rather than a thermostat setting in order to initiate operation. In cases where residents may be at work during weekdays, such a feature allows the air conditioner to be programmed to turn on thirty minutes before the residents are due to arrive home, for example. Other energy-saving features include controls which turn off the fan any time that the compressor is not operating or a ventilation-only mode for less hot days or evenings. Finally, available modes refer to the different types of operation that the air conditioning unit is able to perform. For example, some units offer a dehumidification mode which removes moisture from the air and which can be useful for cool but humid days. Other units offer a ventilation mode, as mentioned, which can be used in place of a fan to achieve the same effect.