Advantages and Disadvantages of this Heater:
I purchased the Costco version of this Presto heater and LOVE IT, but it's critically important to know what you're getting into:
Infrared radiant heat from these parabolic dish heaters does NOT heat ROOM AIR much at all! It heats primarily water, things saturated with water (like we Humans), and coincidentally many Plastics---all assuming a narrow infrared focus range peaking at 3 microns (3000nm wavelength). Even longer wavelengths (3-10 microns) are possible but less specifically-aimed at human bodies and thus put heat into nearby concrete, wood floors, people, and most other materials, including many metals.
*Directional Infrared Heat* (i.e., focused Radiant Heat from these dish heaters) is VERY EFFICIENT if your goal is to put all/most of the heater's energy into YOU and not into a large room's air (or outdoor air).
BUT, this means you have to stand IN FRONT of the heater :) Otherwise, you'll barely notice much heat at all (just the small fraction...
Spot Warmth Where You Need It!
This is a radiant heater, designed to throw a "beam of heat". As a science teacher explained in junior high some 40 years ago, they do not heat the air or a room, but the objects in the path. If you are looking to warm a room, especially quickly, you want a forced air ceramic/quartz heater. If you want to warm yourself in an otherwise cold room, this is your baby. Sadly, almost every time I go to CostCo, I see someone returning one of these. Reading reviews of similar products on the web, it is clear that many folks have no clue about radiant heaters.
Like one of the other reviewers, I bought this at CostCo but for some friends who smoked on their patio and froze during the winter. They've both passed on now and their relatives gave it back to me. (I also have one in my shop.)
Our furnace is out at the moment and it is doubtful we can afford to fix it before winter is over. Here in Las Vegas it is currently 41 outside with an expected low tonight of 29...
Couldn't give it 4 stars despite the intense heat
I owned this for about 3 years before it died. Purchased from Costco (there are more reviews on there).It gives off a tremendous amount of heat in a limited space of 3 feet but that's it.
The footlight is pointless and stop working after a year. One of the Costco reviewers had this to say: "Owned a few of these and the experience is the same - and matching quite a few others here.This is an effective, LIMITED LIFE, product. It does what it says - sends a very nice stream of heat in a very limited direction. BUT it has a limited life span of 1-3 years, depending on use and luck.
The problem always seems to come down to a faulty "tip" sensor, so that the "alarm feature" - meant to warn you that the device has fallen off its perch - goes off continuously, rendering the device useless. Clearly Presto has skimped on parts there and has little interest in correcting this - as evidenced by user reports of this problem going back years... .
Note to Presto - spend a few more...
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