2009 VIP
TunefulGal
Los Angeles, CA

"SOLARIS" UPDATE FIX? Winter still toasty with Delonghi.

4 star rating

energy conscious, owner of a weird old house
Pros

    convenient, reliable (see Potential Solaris Fix), quiet

Cons
    Solaris model has problems (see Updates), Solaris timer is rasty, temp changes visually tough at night, moving some models a physical challenge, directions for timer models poor

NOV
3
2008
 
  Suddenly, Los Angeles nights are cold, and the air is whistling through the spaces in our oddly-fitting old windows.  Brrrrrrr.
  So... I've just dragged out two of our three DeLonghi heaters and spaced them appropriately for dog Shelby, cat Vivo, and "Mom" (we're often cold) and dog Dolce and "Dad" (the hot-bodied creatures around here). 
  The older, larger heater has wheels but is a pain to move over thresholds and throw rugs.  If I need to heft it while hot, I have to go out and get potholders from the kitchen.  Some convenience, huh? 
  The smaller, newer DeLonghi is imprinted with the word "Solaris".  Whatever significance that has, I am delighted to report that this model has hand grips as well as wheels and is the perfect size for our bathroom or small bedroom.  I just toddle it around, hot or cold.
  In the course of 15+ years, we've disposed of only one DeLonghi -- a long-serving helper that started to ooze a little oil.  It probably had some years on it yet, but I didn't want to fool around with the potential for mess.
  I give these guys four stars in spite of their little quirks.  While we have a gas wall furnace, the Delonghis don't blow at us, don't make noise and (obviously) don't have pilot lights continually wasting energy.  The heat they generate has never posed a problem for pets or people.  We've long since found "homes" for their summer storage. 
  If I could change one thing, it would be to add a small light and make the heating numbers bigger so I could easily adjust the temps when I need to at night.  Let's just say I keep my glasses, my potholders and my flashlight in convenient locations. 

UPDATE:  No stars for SOLARIS MODEL.  It's a loser bigtime!

     A month or so after I wrote the Viewpoint above, my cute little Delonghi "Solaris" model quit cold (and I do mean cold).  Desperate as we were, we replaced it with another "Solaris".  Within a week, it, too, had quit.
     I've always liked Delonghi heaters, so this really took me by surprise.  Belatedly I went to Amazon for purchase prices and reviews.  Many reviewers told similar stories of defective, unrepairable "Solaris" models.  Most feel this clunker should be recalled.  After my sudden, double experience, I'd have to agree.
     So... this is a reminder to me that reading a number of reviews on a number of sites is always wise.  The consensus may say "Buy" or it may say the all important "BEWARE!"
     I'm still going for another Delonghi, but I'll buy it locally (for ease in returning if necessary), and I'll buy the model which most owners favor.

POTENTIAL "SOLARIS" FIX

     Days later, before I returned the second "Solaris", I plugged it in for the heck of it and... it WORKED!
     Acting on an offhand remark I read in an online review, my husband carefully explored what is really a rasty little timer.  Directions for the timer are not helpful, and we never (consciously) bothered with setting it.
     The problem might be that we never disabled the timer either!
     Those tiny little red points on the timer dial are sliders and, when all the sliders are moved toward the center, the timer stops working.  It now seems likely that, without our realizing it, the timer was going on and off, and the heat was going on and off along with it.
     If not disabling the timer is a common mistake, there are a lot of viable "Solaris" models at Goodwill (our first one among them).
     I truly hope this helps you save one.

Last edited on Jan 15, 2009



I_thumb_up DeLonghi Heater - Oil Heater - Radiator is recommended by TunefulGal

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I_comment_shdw24 Comments about TunefulGal’s Review

 


BayouBengal wrote on Nov 3, 2008 at 11:43AM

I first found out about these with the ones that were left in the house we just bought. They don't put out much!!

Jo wrote on Nov 3, 2008 at 8:01AM

These are great. We had one that lasted a long time.

AnnaBanana wrote on Nov 3, 2008 at 2:24AM

You know about such great things! I would think these heaters would be popular in this area in the winter too but I hadn't heard of them.

4 star rating
"works good"
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5 star rating
"Superior to other room heaters"



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