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Eco Air ECO20LDG Dehumidifier Review
The Eco Air ECO20LDG Dehumidifier is the larger of two models in the "G" range of Eco Air Dehumidifiers. This dehumidifier is considerably more powerful than the ECO14LDG and will effectively control humidity in an area of up to 30m2 (approx. 320 sq ft). This equates to a large living/dining room or a one bedroom apartment and this unit with its slim and modern appearance and modest size will suit these types of location very well.
The extra power comes at a price. The dehumidifier is slightly larger and heavier than the "14" but these additions are modest and credit is due to the designers for packing over 40% more power into a unit only 9% heavier and 15% larger by volume. Unfortunately a larger dehumidifier means a larger noise output and this unit is noticeably louder than the smaller model although still comparable with other dehumidifiers in its class.
Features
The Eco Air ECO20LDG Dehumidifier is a compact dehumidifier and well suited for use in a home where space may be tight. Its foot-print is 34.8cm x 23.8cm (13.7" x 9.4") and it will not only take up very little floor space but could easily be located on a raised surface if this was more convenient. Few dehumidifiers of the capacity of the ECO20LDG come much smaller and the differences can be measured in millimetres.
The Eco Air ECO20LDG is also easily portable for using in different locations or simply to use the vacuum cleaner in an around its usual site. Castor wheels on the base make it easy to slide across the floor and a top-mounted carrying handle is provided if lifting the unit to clear obstacles, or carriage up and down stairs, is required. The unit weighs a surprisingly light 12 Kg and should not prove a challenge for any able bodied person to move. The off-white and black casing will blend with most contemporary decor and will not look out of place in the majority of homes.
This can cause unnecessary anxiety when water collected in the bucket falls far short of the 20 litres per day which might be expected. This rate was measured at a temperature of 30°C and 80% relative humidity which are very rare in the UK. These are the conditions under which most dehumidifiers sold in Europe are rated and serve merely to enable one dehumidifier to be compared with another on a like for like basis.
In practice the water collected will only occasionally reach even half that figure and may be as low as a couple of litres in cold and dry conditions. If the dehumidifier is doing its job the amount should be lower, simply because the dehumidifier will be controlling relative humidity at around 50%.
As the water is collected it drips into a water collection container, a "pan" or "bucket". Even at four or five litres per day this means emptying the bucket twice daily. If this is tiresome or inconvenient the continuous drainage feature of the Eco Air ECO20LDG provides the answer. A small outlet port is available in the casing of the dehumidifier to which a small bore plastic hose may be connected to carry the water to a convenient drain. The drainage feed is by gravity, another reason why mounting on a raised surface may be helpful.
If you have set your up dehumidifier for continuous drainage you are part of the way to being able to leave it running for a couple of days if you are away from home. The Eco Air ECO20LDG takes care of the rest by incorporating an auto-restart feature. If your home should be subject to a power cut in your absence this facility restarts the dehumidifier as soon as power is restored, a feature not always available on these appliances.
Those of you who are looking for a quiet dehumidifier will find some models which are a little quieter than the ECO20LDG. All dehumidifiers are noisy and at 50dB this unit is about average for its class. It is an unfortunate fact of life that the more powerful the machine the louder it will be and this is a price which must be paid for keeping a larger area free of condensation and mold.
Humidity control is important where significant amounts of condensation are appearing. In these conditions not only mold but dust mites will flourish and for anyone subject to allergic reactions both are major contributors to their misery. Maintaining a constant level of 50%, or just below, will take care of all three.
The ECO20LDG incorporates a humidistat which will maintain relative humidity at a pre-set level. It is a wise precaution to check this independently with a hygrometer as the humidity sensors are not always well calibrated in dehumidifiers. Once your hygrometer is showing a consistent reading of 50% RH in the room concerned you will be reassured that the setting on the dehumidifier is where it should be.
The Eco Air ECO14LDG Dehumidifier is an entirely suitable unit for use in the living areas of a home but we would not recommend a unit of this type for operation in areas where the ambient temperature is consistently low for lengthy periods, such as a garage or free-standing workshop. Notwithstanding its stated operating ambient temperature range, low temperature operation requires an active defrosting system which this dehumidifier, in common with most other residential dehumidifiers does not have.
PRODUCT DETAILS
| Brand | Eco Air | Model | Eco Air ECO20LDG Dehumidifier | Application(s) | Domestic | Suitable for | Smaller homes/areas | Portable | Yes | Carrying handle | Yes | Wheels/casters | Yes | Weight (kg) | 12.0 | Dimensions, mm (WxDxH) | 348 x 238 x 598 | Dehumidification process | Refrigerant | Water extraction (30°C 80%RH) | 20 litres per 24 hrs | Water container capacity (Ltr) | 3.1 | Container full indicator | Yes | Auto-power cut off when full | Yes | Continuous drainage option | Yes (to nearby drain/sump) | Operating temperature range | 5°C to 35°C | Air Flow Volume | 200 M3/h | Anti-frost | Yes | Electronic controls | Yes | Humidistat | Yes | Variable fan speed settings | No | Noise level | 50 dB | Power input | 1.7amps/450watts |
Advantages
Compact
Light-weight
Portable
Continuous drainage, avoids emptying water container by hand
Disadvantages
Unsuitable for continually cold environments
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