I just have no idea why this A/C costs $800. Rich (read - pretentious) look apart I haven't found a single advantage over an A/C with the comparable output you can pick up in a home improvement store for $150.
I was looking for a single most important for me function - a quiet operation - and I was willing to pay 6-X price for it. Good thing I decided to test it before putting in into the window. When running "fan only", it makes reasonable noise, not much quieter than a "regular" cheap A/C. The disappointing part there is only 3 fan speeds, no variable speed and/or super-quiet mode.
But when I switched it in cooling mode and the compressor kicked in, I literally jumped - first the loud click and then the droning noise, so loud I thought I dropped a screw driver into the fan. After a few second the sound went down a little but it still was way over the acceptable level, and definitely louder than a cheap A/C makes. I thought the unit was defective, the dealer sent a technician, who told me that's the normal operational sound. Now I just hope the dealer won't give me a hard time when I return the A/C.
So for the price of 6 regular A/Cs you will have:
- bulky heavy unit, requiring quite laborious installation process
- lack of important features like variable fan speed and super quiet night mode
- bunch of bells and whistles you most likely won't care about, like 7 days programming and external thermostat connector
- a lot of noise
- very nice looking front panel and ipod-styled remote.
You decide, but I'm returning mine.
