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Eco Air ECO20LDK Dehumidifier Review
The Eco Air ECO20LDK Dehumidifier is the sole member of the "K" range of Eco Air dehumidifiers. It is a small to medium capacity dehumidifier and will be effective for humidity control in an area of up to 30m2 (approx.320 sq ft). This unit will be well sized for a large room within a house or for a compact apartment.
The ECO20LDK is a little larger overall than some other dehumidifiers in the Eco Air range although it is by means large in its class. One of the reasons for this is the incorporation of a water collection container with a capacity of 4.5 litres, around 50% larger than other Eco Air units. Another compensating factor is the unit's capability for quiet operation and in this respect the ECO20LDK compares favourably with most other dehumidifiers of similar power.
Features
The Eco Air ECO20LDK Dehumidifier has the power to extract up to 20 litres of moisture per day from the air. Because water collection rates vary according to ambient temperature and prevailing relative humidity the stated figure is merely an indicator of a unit's power, to enable comparisons to be made with other dehumidifiers. This unit was tested at the conditions typically used by suppliers of dehumidifiers to the European market; 30°C and 80% relative humidity.
In the conditions typically found in the UK the amount of water collecting in the bucket is likely to be a third of this figure, or less. It is important to be aware of this to avoid concern that the dehumidifier is not functioning correctly. Any other model or brand would perform in a similar way.
As water is condensed on the cold coil it drips into a water collection container, a "bucket", until the bucket is full. At this point the dehumidifier will stop working to avoid spillage. To maintain continuous operation it is necessary to empty the bucket before it is completely full and this may have to be done once or twice per day.
A regular complaint from dehumidifier users is that the buckets in their units are too small. In response to this complaint the Eco Air ECO20LDK has a bucket with a 4.5 litre capacity which is 50% larger than those fitted to their other models. The down side is that this, inevitably, increases the overall size of the dehumidifier.
Despite the bigger bucket the Eco Air ECO20LDK is a relatively compact unit with overall dimensions of 40.2 x 37.2 x 59.0 cm and should not be difficult to locate in even quite cramped areas. The extra size has not led to extra weight and the ECO20LDK weighs only 12.2 Kg, slightly less than other 20 Litre Eco Air models. This light weight makes the unit truly portable and with castor wheels on the base and a carrying handle on the top this unit can easily be moved from room to room and carried up and down stairways.
If even a big bucket will not do the Eco Air ECO20LDK is configured for continuous drainage. A small outlet port is located about half way up the casing to which a narrow bore plastic hose may be attached to carry the water to any nearby drain. Like most home dehumidifiers the drainage flow depends on gravity so the drain must be quite close and at a lower level than the outlet port. To make drainage a little easier you may find it helpful to site the dehumidifier on a raised surface.
The humidity level may be set at any level from 40% to 80% in increments of 5%. We would recommend you maintain a level of 45% to 50% if you wish to be assured of protection from mold growth and dust mites and to minimise condensation. In cold weather it is almost impossible to avoid a fine mist of condensation on the glass of exterior windows but you should avoid stains, mold and formation of puddles with this setting.
The humidistats on dehumidifiers cannot be relied upon for absolute accuracy and it is always advisable to monitor relative humidity using a separate hygrometer to ensure that your chosen setting is delivering the level of dryness you need. After a few days you will have effectively calibrated your unit and be confident that a given setting will provide the comfort and protection you require.
The most appealing feature of the Eco Air ECO20LDK is its low noise output. The unit has two fan speeds, the fan being the noisiest part of any dehumidifier, and at the lower setting the noise is only 36dB. On the higher setting this rises to 43dB, still quiet for a dehumidifier.
Sadly, dehumidifiers are all noisy and what we are stating here is that this unit is less noisy than many others. The components are such that noise is inevitable and dehumidifying any large area requires a fan, which is impossible to silence. We do not subscribe to phrases such as "whisper quiet" when describing dehumidifiers and do not associate ourselves with any such descriptions.
The ambient temperature operating range of the ECO20LDK is 5°C to 35°C but the range for optimum performance is 15°C to 30°C (both ranges obtained from the manufacturer's published specifications). The unit has a defrost function, in common with most dehumidifiers, but this does not make the unit suitable for use in areas of consistently low temperature, such as a garage in winter. For this type of application a more expensive refrigerant dehumidifier with hot gas defrost is required, or a desiccant dehumidifier such as Eco Air's own DD122FW.
This cautionary note is intended to discourage an inappropriate purchase and does not detract from the qualities of the ECO20LDK as a home dehumidifier. It is a well featured, compact and convenient dehumidifier with respectable energy efficiency and worthy to be considered for your home.
PRODUCT DETAILS
| Brand | Eco Air | Model | Eco Air ECO20LDK Dehumidifier | Application(s) | Domestic | Suitable for | Smaller homes/areas | Portable | Yes | Carrying handle | Yes | Wheels/casters | Yes | Weight (kg) | 12.2 | Dimensions, mm (WxDxH) | 402 x 372 x 590 | Dehumidification process | Refrigerant | Water extraction (30°C 80%RH) | 20 litres per 24 hrs | Water container capacity (Ltr) | 4.5 | Container full indicator | Yes | Auto-power cut off when full | Yes | Continuous drainage option | Yes (to nearby drain) | Operating temperature range | 5°C to 35°C | Air Flow Volume | 130/165 M3/h | Anti-frost | Yes | Electronic controls | Yes | Humidistat | Yes | Variable fan speed settings | Yes (2) | Noise level | 36-43 dB | Power input | 360watts |
Advantages
Quiet operation, by dehumidifier standards
Compact
Light-weight
Portable
Continuous drainage, avoids emptying water container by hand
Energy efficient
Disadvantages
Unsuitable for continually cold environments
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