The Holmes HCH4163 Ceramic Compact Heater....Rest easy and know I'll never freeze to death.*
Written: Nov 05 '05 (Updated Dec 12 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Extremely small, efficient, ceramic, fan forced heat, features, and swivels.
Cons: NONE.
The Bottom Line: Does just as good a job (if not better) at heating as my other space heater, but quieter, smaller, better looking, has more features, heats faster and more efficiently.
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| triple_irons's Full Review: Holmes Products HCH4163 Ceramic Electric Compact H... |
When I first saw this heater I thought, “You gotta be kiddin”. This thing is too small to heat anything bigger than a dog house, but since it was a “True Value, bargain of the month”, and I am in the dog house a good portion of the time, and I can always return it since I save my receipts…I bought it. But I was already giving it a bad review before I got out of the store. I even had a title…”It’s a good thing I always save my receipts because I’m taking this piece of **** back” but I’ve had to put that title on hold because the Holmes HCH4163 Ceramic Compact Heater is staying right where it is, keeping me nice and warm.
Touching briefly on the features of the unit:
AUTO-SAFETY SHUT-OFF
The heater is equipped with a “patented, technologically advanced” safety system.
Alright already, if it overheats, it shuts off and then is reset by: turning the control setting off, unplug and wait 5 to 10 minutes for the unit to cool, then plug it back in again and you're back in business. (I’ll let you know if it ever happens.)
OPERATION
Two dials on the back of the unit, one the heat selector with off, fan only, low 1000W or high 1500W settings the other dial is the thermostat control.
THERMOSTAT
Run the heater with the thermostat on high until the room warms (I’d be skeptical about it warming anything larger than a 13x10ft area, again, I’ll let you know in a month when it gets really cold). When your comfort level is reached, back the setting down until the fan shuts off. The control will now automatically maintain the preset level turning the unit on and off accordingly.
*ANTI-FREEZE SETTING
No kidding, with heat selector set to either high or low, and the thermostat on low, the heater will automatically come on if room temperature reaches 32°. (I guess I can rest easy knowing I’ll never freeze to death)
ADJUSTABLE-TILT INSTRUCTIONS
It sits on a 5"x5.1/2" base, and do I really need instructions to tell me how to tilt and swivel the unit?
Cleaning and Maintenance
(During season) wipe with a soft, damp cloth, allow to dry.
(After season) store in a cool dry location in its original box, really.
Have you been wondering if I was going to get to the incredibly small dimensions of the unit?
8.5" tall x 6" wide x 5.5" deep. Yes, that’s small.
This is my first experience with a personal ceramic compact heater, and so far it does just as good a job heating as my (non-ceramic) Patton Utility Heater, but quieter, smaller, better looking, and has more features. A Ceramic heating element has faster, and more efficient heat distribution and ceramic heating elements retain more heat. Heck, I’m giving it 2 more stars than the Patton.
It does give off a slight "ceramic"(?) odor, something similar to the smell of the air when you open a hot clothes dryer. My wife has a friend that has a ceramic heater who says the smell goes away after 4 months (I’ll update in March). I like the aroma.
Recommendation
For the size and use (I would say price, I paid $14.99, on sale, a saving of ten bucks) of a personal, compact, portable heater, I’m giving this unit a 5 star rating.
I am simply amazed that a unit so small can put out so much heat. I’ll be using the Holmes HCH4163 Ceramic Compact Heater a lot this winter, and our main gas heater in the living room less, I will update this review in a couple of months, or sooner if I come across any problems. (3yr limited warranty).
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Recommended:
Yes
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triple_irons
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Location: 31st and Mingo
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"One cannot refuse to eat just because there is a chance of being choked."
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