Highly effective "beast" of a Dehumidifier
I purchased this machine to replace residential dehumidifiers which would only last between 5 and 18 months. When you first unpackage this machine, it is easy to see that it is a heavy duty "beast" by comparison. If you are just trying to use it without the remote access app, you can just plug it in, set the humidity level and place the drain hose and go (as with any standard dehumidifier). The machine is about 50% larger than most residential units and weighs a hefty 99 pounds. However, the large wheels make it easy to maneuver, including over stairs if you are careful. Since the dehumidifier includes a pump to empty the water, it will pump the water as much as 15 feet uphill, through a hose which is about 20 feet long.
So what makes this unit stand out from others? First, there is the free app which connects via WiFi or direct. This allows you to access the controls anywhere you have internet access. Through the app you can control the humidity (target) level setting, see the humidity level and temperature at the intake and output, review the number of working hours, the age of the filter, coil temperature, and any error codes. Additionally, you can empty the water reservoir, and initiate a location tone (useful for contractors who may not be familiar with the devices location). There are several other functions which are probably only useful for contractors including chamber list, work plans, equipment list and drying data. Second, the machine has more capacity and is more efficient (i.e., removes more water from the air per KWH of electricity used) than most residential units. This unit is speced at 2.85 Liters/KWH. It is able to dry the air in almost half the time of most residential units. Third, the display is easy to use but provides a lot of info (e.g. humidity and temperature of both intake and output air).
What could be improved? Connecting or binding the unit to your network / phone is confusing. I highly recommend ONLY using the detailed instructions in the app. Do not rush the process and read EVERYTHING the app puts on the screen carefully. It may take several passes to understand what to do, but once you understand what needs to be done and do it all in a single pass, it works. Once connected though it works flawlessly. The other major con is the price. Without a doubt, it is an expensive machine. It costs about three times the price of other residential units, so I am looking for this unit to last at least 5 years in order to break even. Only time will tell if it is worth the price. While I do not normally see the value in extended warranty for most equipment, my history with dehumidifiers shows that purchasing a 3 to 4 year extended warranty is a worthwhile purchase.