Soleus Air PE2-08R-62 Portable Air Conditioner, Dehumidifier and Fan

Soleus Air PE2-08R-62 Portable Air Conditioner, Dehumidifier and Fan

The Soleus Air PE2-08R-62 is an unusual unit that features a combination of air-conditioning, fan, and dehumidification functions. It can also be set to automatically shuffle through these three functions as needed to maintain optimal indoor temperature and humidity levels. While most aspects of this product are well designed, there are a few key features that could use improvement.

Appearance and Design

Weighing in at a whopping 68 pounds, the Soleus Air PE2-08R-62 portable air conditioner, dehumidifier and fan is not a mobile unit in the most convenient sense of the word. True, it can be moved - it is not a permanently installed unit, so it may useful for those traveling to a summer home or other location with few amenities other than electricity. However, unlike most ordinary dehumidifiers, this Soleus model is quite heavy, and may be difficult to lift without help. The sleek white shell and venting design resemble nothing so much as computer tower or other electronic device.

Functionality and Use

The Soleus Air PE2-08R-62 portable air conditioner, dehumidifier and fan should be sufficient to cool and dehumidify most medium sized houses, basements, and so on. It is designed with evaporative technology to reduce the need to empty the internal water collection tray, but buyers should be aware that this is not always entirely effective. An automatic shutoff and restart system ensures that power outages are no trouble, and the unit can be set to “sleep” mode during nighttime hours to reduce noise and raise temperatures slightly.

Model Limitations

Unfortunately the evaporative technology designed to reduce or eliminate the need for water collection tray emptying has proven to be somewhat ineffective. Many customers report that they have been forced to empty the tray several times a day, and that when they are not home to do so the machine will shut itself off, resulting in an inconveniently hot and stuffy house upon return. There is a hose hookup option, but customers have reported that it is difficult to use. In any case, buyers in very humid climates may wish to avoid this model.

Customer Service and Warranty

The Soleus Air PE2-08R-62 portable air conditioner, dehumidifier and fan is sold with a 1-year limited warranty. Reports on the unit’s lifespan have varied; some people found that it broke or malfunctioned within the first 5 months, while others went as many as 5 years without incident. If you are especially concerned about warranty issues, consider investing in the purchase of an additional 1 or 3-year warranty from the company you buy the model from, as this will add a measure of additional economic security.

What Do Owners Say?

While many owners have enjoyed the Soleus Air PE2-08R-62 without complaint, the frequent water tray emptying issue has been a pet peeve for others. The drain for the tray is located very low to the ground, and may be difficult to change or empty without soaking the floor in the process. Consider mounting your unit on a table or sheet of hard plastic to avoid this unpleasant issue.

Reasonably priced and a great option for those who can’t install a traditional HVAC air conditioning system, the Soleus Air PE2-08R-62 portable air conditioner, dehumidifier and fan does have a few flaws – but for the most part it is a solid, reliable purchase.