Holmes Ultra Quiet 1-Touch Ceramic Heater - Yes, it's REALLY Quiet!
Written: Oct 10 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Quiet as promised, good heat delivery, attractive design, easy to move.
Cons: One-touch controls are a pain, shuts off if moved even a fraction.
The Bottom Line: This Holmes model is quiet as promised, has excellent heat delivery, is attractive and affordable. One-touch controls are a bit confusing.
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| MsHooterville's Full Review: Holmes Products Holmes(R) HCH4948-U 1500-Watt Ultr... |
Last week the Holmes ceramic space heater I had been using for several years at my office gave up and gave out, and I needed an immediate replacement. My office is cold all year round, and I need a supplemental heat source.
So I placed an online order at OfficeDepot.com for some supplies, and another Holmes model. This particular one, HCH4949, was the only one they had in stock for less than $50, and it met my needs. It arrived the next day (the one day in the past 15 years, it seems, that the temperature in my office was comfortable).
This unit is 1500 watts and draws 12.5 amps, and should be used with a standard 120V AC electrical outlet.
But the following day, things were back to "normally uncomfortably cold" and I couldn't wait to plug it in.
Very Quiet - Like a Whisper!
All you have to do with this Holmes model is plug it in and start pushing the ONE and ONLY button several times until you have selected "LO" or "HI" and landed on one of five temperature settings: 60, 65, 70, 75 and 80.
This is the part that I don't particularly like. The "One-Touch" button gives you two choices: "ON" or "OFF." You must continue to press the button to reach the desired temperature. There is no visible setting for the amount of air flow, like "High or Low" on the switch, but only on the display.
You will probably start to feel heat as soon as you plug the unit into the wall and turn it on -- but you must continue to press until the desired temperature is displayed.
It appears that the Holmes controls decide if the room is sufficiently cold to require air to blow out of the panel. In my usual impatient fashion, and without reading what I consider to be generally worthless instruction manuals, I kept pressing until I got the temperature I wanted and warm air blowing out at me. It didn't take long.
But I just feel better when I can choose a setting, get instant gratification with warm air on my feet and walk away.
Safety Features
All space heaters should have tip-over controls, especially in a unit like this one that is taller than it is wide. While the bottom is heavy and stable enough to prevent tipping by accident for most cases, the automatic shut off appears to be almost too easily triggered for use by an adult in a child-free environment.
For instance, if I want to move the unit a few inches one direction or another, it shuts off and I must reset it. The only way to circumvent this situation is to keep the unit totally level on the flat floor surface and move it without picking it up.
Another safety feature is a red indicator light at the front of the unit that shows the unit is plugged into the wall, even if it is turned off.
This could be confusing to some people who might think it's on even when it's not. But the fact is that it's possible for space heaters to short circuit or fail even when they are not turned on, just plugged into the wall.
IMPORTANT: This is a tip given to me by a man who is in the fire safety equipment business. Always unplug your space heater, regardless of the brand, from the wall when you aren't using it to avoid potential fire hazards.
Automatic Temperature Control
When the unit detects that the room temperature has reached the setting you previously chose, it shuts off automatically.
I appreciate this energy and safety feature, but I get cranky when I'm feeling nice, warm air one second -- and am suddenly deprived of it without my cooperation or consent.
At this particular moment, the unit is set at 70 degrees on "HI" and delivering warm air about 30" away from me. I am content. Should the unit decide that the vicinity is now at 70 degrees and shut off, I would be annoyed at having to wait for it to resume.
If this heater turns off by itself, or because it has been tipped, the instructions tell you to unplug it from the wall, wait 10 minutes for it to cool, and then plug in again for normal operation.
While this is a ceramic unit, the metal grate over the front IS hot to the touch if you touch it directly. But it does have a recessed handle at the back that will prevent you from having to touch it.
Holmes Always Does the Job
While this particular Holmes space heater isn't ideal for my quirky preferences, it's quiet, the heat output is good, it's attractive, and it meets my need for area warmth. The price also is attractive, and in the past, I have always been able to count on Holmes products for at least three or four years of reliable service with constant daily use.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
MsHooterville
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Member: Ms Hooterville
Location: Hooterville Green Acres USA
Reviews written: 596
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About Me:
News and feature writer, graphic designer and artist, wife and mother, small business owner.
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