Customer Reviews

Honeywell HW-628 Enviracaire Twin Window Fan

5 star:		(170)
4 star:		(112)
3 star:		(31)
2 star:		(26)
1 star:		(31)

 

 

I got three different brands to test. One was this model, another was a Holmes (with digital display), and another was a brand called Hawaiian Breeze. The Honeywell was bar far the better quality unit, even though it was between the price ranges of the other two. The fan motors did not have an annoying hum like the Holmes model. And instead of the extension that clumsily slips on the left of the other two units I tested, the Honeywell model had built-in extensions in both sides. Also, the unit seemed more powerful than the other two, especially in the high-setting. On the lowest setting, it was very quiet, but not moreso than the other models. The construction quality was also better, with heavier-duty plastic. This model also included a metal bracket to mount the unit sideways should you have sliding rather than double-hung windows...a nice touch. I wish the extensions were a few inches longer and the whole unit a few inches shorter to accomodate a wider-range of windows. Although it indicates a maximum width of 38 inches, it fit in my 40-inch window fine without any gaps.

We searched on the net for a week, and had given up when we saw the Honeywell unit at CVS on special. We got one and we liked it so much we picked up three more! It is very quiet, powerful and the temperature controls work great. Very solid unit and no rattles or hum like some others we saw and tried. We figure by using these when it cools off outside in the evenings we will save a bundle on air conditioning, which we now use only when it stays hot out at night here in New Jersey. We are only sorry our windows in the office are too narrow for this unit, so we will have to find another solution there.

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Mini-Update March 2011
Approaching 5 years of use and this item still works just fine!
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Original review November 2006:
Sadly I bought this item from a link in google that took me to Amazon and didn't list all the sources ON Amazon that sold it. I ended up paying $15 or so more than necessary for it, since Their price was more than Target's SHIPPED price. I bought it at Beach Audio, through Amazon for $[...] with a shipping charge of $[...], for a final price of $[...]. Had I realized I should have RE-searched on Amazon for the brand and model number I would have found it from Target at the $25 listed price and shipping under $7!!! A substantial savings.

HOWEVER, sad as I am that I could have saved a few of my Social Security bucks, I'm totally amazed at the job this tiny fan is doing for me. Here's my situation, and though I'm sure yours is quite different, you can see the value of the appliance:

I'm a retired person, living upstairs in a tiny living quarters with someone else living downstairs who is in control of the heating and cooling of the house. During the fall and spring when it's nice outside, the house heat is turned on and migrates upward to become trapped in my tiny living quarters. If I open a window, the heat goes out and the heating system comes back on to make more, I'm sure this causes their electric bill to skyrocket. I found that if I become uncomfortable, I can close my door and my air conditioning vent and crack a window for fresh air, allowing the heat transmitted through the floor to warm the room. This works pretty well, but sometimes not much air comes in the window... and occasional birds and insects to find their way in.

The little Honeywell fit one of my windows perfectly and can be set to quietly blow air in and out at the same time, and it's thermostatically controlled so it can hold the room at exactly the temperature I like. If I want to smoke a cigar or my pipe, I can set it to exhaust through both fans, or to circulate in and out faster, so I don't have to worry about poluting the air throughout the house (be sure the door and a/c vent are closed before doing this, they WILL notice :).

The fan blades are plastic, but well enough made so the low setting is not objectionable at all. I had tried a 20" box fan to exhaust air before, but that was extremely noisy even at the lowest setting. The low setting on this one makes no more noise than my computer fan and still moves air so well I immediately feel the fresh air.

I paid too much for it, but it's worth twice the price to me. I'm a happy old man and very pleased with my purchase. I hope it lasts a long time!

Holmes twin fans for my solarium gave up after 15 years of daily operation with no problems. Honeywell fans looked good in pictures, but have huge design flaw: the motors are positioned outside the window frame so screens must be removed (Holmes fans mounted inside). Bug City! Also, side gap fillers must be locked in place from outside (OK for me on 1st floor)as opposed to Holmes single sided ratchet lock. Fan top and bottom mounting rail gap was too narrow to fit my hung window frame, so it precariously rests on top.

I ordered this unit to replace an older Honeywell window fan that I now have running in my attic. On this new unit, I especially like being able to independently control the fans. Thus I can run either one or two fans, and I can have them both running the same direction or have them running in opposite directions. I also like the louvres that allow some degree of directionality with the air.

The first unit I received had an annoying rattle in one of the fans. I immediately RMA'd it for another unit (kudos to Amazon for a quick turnaround on the return/replacement). The replacement unit also seemed to have the rattle, but after it runs for a few minutes, the rattle goes away.

The plastic used for the casing seems a bit thin and makes it look cheap. Fortunately, it doesn't have any bearing on how the fan functions.

The noise level isn't much different than my old fan with both blades running, but the ability to turn off one blade makes it much more usable at night.

Overall I'm satisfied with it. I'd say the construction could be improved upon, but the functionality it offers makes it much nicer than a more "basic" window fan unit.

I bought the Honeywell HW-628 last summer; and it is my perfect fan. Having tried several kinds of floor-standing and window fans (including a Bionaire with a thermostat), *this* one cools me off better than any I have ever used.

The features are as listed on the product webpage. I love having the ability to adjust the speed and direction of both fans. The product is mechanically very well put-together, sits in a window well, does *fairly* well for rain (but I would take it in for driving rain), and best of all cools me off. I can actually feel a gentle breeze from it (from across the room) that actually cools me (and the room) even though it feels so gentle.

I always use mine on high with one fan as exhaust and one pulling air in. I find mine to be extremely quiet. On high as I use it, it does "have a note", e.g. an audible pitch to it, rather than having no discernible pitch. This does not bother me, and mine is more quiet than the majority of fans I try out in the stores, or have purchased.

If these characteristics appeal to you, I recommend you try it out. You can probably find them at brick-and-mortar stores too (where it is easier to return if you don't like something;-)

I needed two window fans, and couldn't decide between this one and the Bionaire BW2100R-U Bionaire Remote Twin Window Fan BW2100R-U so I ordered one of each. Trusting the Honeywell name, I expected it to out-perform the Bionaire. After trying them both, I'm returning the Honeywell and getting another Bionaire.

Materials:
Right out of the box, the Bionaire is much more attractive and modern-looking. The plastic is very sturdy and bright white, and construction is solid while still being light-weight. I notice no odor.

The Honeywell's material is more flimsy, and somewhat translucent and yellow, reminding me of cheap Chinese toys from the 99˘ store. The seams audibly pop and rub against each other when the unit is moved around, and it has a strong solvent odor.

If I kept the Honeywell, I'd be tempted to hide it if company came over. Not so with the Bionaire.

Mounting:
My windows are the slider-type, so I need to mount the fans vertically and remove them daily when the weather gets hot. Both fans are reasonably stable mounted vertically, and both can be mounted simply and quickly without removing window screens by trapping attached tabs within the window frame. I have not tried to mount either permanently or with removed screens, but both have hardware to do so.

Controls:
I find the controls on the Honeywell difficult to use. Each fan has its own knob to control speed (a plus), but their too-flat, too-smooth shape is difficult to grip and much torque is required. Definitely NOT arthritis-friendly. Two primitive switches select between intake and exhaust and, frankly, these look like an afterthought to me. Clearly, little effort was put into the control panel design. One additional knob crudely adjusts the temperature setting. It has no marks on it at all; presumably one must wait until the room is too chilly and then turn the knob until the thermostat switches off and expect that it will continue to switch off at that unspecified temperature in the future. I can't help but shake my head at this bit of advanced technology. There is no remote.

The buttons and switches on the Bionaire are smooth, large and respond to the lightest touch. Each fan has its own switch to select between intake and exhaust, and one button toggles digitally through all speeds (3-2-1-A3-A2-A1) for both fans simultaneously. (The "A" settings automatically turn the fan on and off at your pre-selected temperature.) The final two buttons control both the optional timer and temperature settings (digitally). It also includes a remote control that can adjust the temperature settings and fan speed. I haven't tried the remote, it just it just isn't very useful for me. I turn the fan on when I put it in the window and off when I remove it. I can't think of any reason I would want to adjust the speed or temp settings from a distance, although other users may. The remote would be more useful to me if it could control the intake/exhaust selection. For example, if the fan is running on intake and starts to suck in parking lot exhaust or my chain-smoking neighbors' stink, I'd like to quickly switch to exhaust from the next room. Maybe this feature could be added in future generations.

Operation:
The Honewell let out a strained buzz the second I turned it on, eliciting grimaces from both my husband and myself. Unfortunately, the buzz continues through all fan speeds. Also, the left-hand fan revs up and down, almost pulsating, when it's running, which made me nervous. The solvent odor was stirred about the room while the Honeywell was running, and I assume this would fade with time, but I'd rather not live with it at all.

The Bionaire motor is silent, and its solid construction prevents any rattles or buzz. All I hear is air moving, and even on the high setting it's not distracting. In fact, I find the sound soothing. Both fans must run at the same speed at the same time, the only independent adjustment is Intake/Exhaust. When using the temp or timer settings, the fans switch on and off silently with no clicks or beeps to disturb one's sleep.

Air Flow:
The Honeywell's air flow is more restricted, although the rotating front grills do allow you to adjust their direction. Set on Exhaust, even the high speed doesn't stir the air at the opposite end of a 30' room, and set on Intake it creates a strong current that I can't quite aim in a direction that makes it comfortable. Honestly, even if it perfectly circulated the air in my entire home, it wouldn't be worth living with the noise and smell (and, forgive me, the ugly).

I've used the Bionaire almost daily for a week now. My living space is 13' wide by 30' long, with windows at opposite ends. I can run the Bionaire on medium speed Exhaust at one end of the room, open the windows at the opposite end, and feel a gentle, comfortable air flow moving throughout. I am THRILLED with this. It's exactly what I was hoping for. Plus, if I happen to be standing near the fan when outside stink starts to come into the room, I can quickly switch to Exhaust mode and within seconds the room smells fresh again. I'm surprised every time at how well this works.

Maintenance:
One benefit of the Honeywell is that the front grille is removable for cleaning (this explains the second star), where it's not on the Bionaire. Aside from the remote functions, this is the one thing I would change about the Bionaire if I could. I'm not looking forward to cleaning this thing once our abundant field dust has its way with it. And yet I still wouldn't trade it for the Honeywell.

A window fan is a good way to circulate air and help keep the room cool at a low cost. Although this unit does work and is well built for the cost, by no means can this unit be called quiet.

At the lowest setting, it has a very audible whine which is high pitched enough to prevent me from sleeping or watching TV at night. The speed settings are all far too high.

It is powerful and gets the job done, but for me, it's worthless.

Before I purchased this fan from Amazon, I read the reviews and saw that people were really happy with this fan but some people thought the fan was loud. I figured that the unhappy reviewers might have high expectations and they weren't being met. Fans make noise, right? How bad could it be?

I got the fan, plugged it in, and turned one of the two fans on. It was very quiet and this made me happy. I turned the other fan on and it was also quiet. Great. After a few seconds the second fan started to rattle. I turned the fan off and tried it again. It still rattles. I didn't want to return it, so I tried this out for an hour or two. I changed my mind -- the rattling sound is so annoying that I really should go through the hassle to mail this back to Amazon.

Day 2: I tried this fan out again and now both fans rattle. The first fan rattles less than the second fan, but it looks like this problem could get worse over time. From reading other reviews, apparently you could get a fan that doesn't have this defect, or you could exchange this fan until you get one that's good. But if some defective units are getting to customers, that alone is enough for me to recommend against buying this. Don't waste your time on this fan. If you plan to buy this anyway, go to a local store so you can return it right away if you get a defective one.

I have been using this fan for extended periods on a daily basis for several months now. It seems to be built for a lot of use. It's fairly quiet on the lowest setting, and has a whole lot of power on the higher settings. It does have two problems that I've noticed so far. The extendable wings on the sides are too small to provide much of a seal with the window at the top and the window casing/frame at the bottom. This isn't much of a problem unless using the fan for exhaust in the dead of winter. Also, the fan is of sufficient power to suck all of the dust out of the room, whereupon it builds up on the inside of the fan housing. The designers did not provide an easy way of opening the housing for cleaning. I haven't tackled this problem yet, and hope that I don't inadvertently break it when I do.