Year 3 update: QUALITY CHANGE ALLERT!
Although my soleus KY-80 is still working fine, I have a feeling that the quality of the unit has changed since 2012. There are MANY 2014 reviews that talk about a grinding noise, leaking, and the AC function stopping because the self evaporation feature is not working. This causes the small collection tray at to bottom of the unit to fill up and have to be manually drained. I have a feeling that there is an internal pump that is defective, so the water just accumulates in the drip pan...which only holds about 2 cups. I had this issue with my old Whytner. Although it is easily remedied by elevating the unit and placing a bucket underneath, this is NOT how a fully functional PAC should work under all but extreme humidity conditions. I think Soleus has been either been shipping defective units, or has re-designed their 8000 btu models to save themselves money. So keep this in mind while reading the original reviews below:
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Year 2 update:
1)We've had to use the Soleus for the last few days because the central system in our bldg was not up and running. The effctiveness of PACs (including this one)seems to depend on the ambient and outdoor temps and the amount of humidity. If the outdoor air is humid (>70%), but the temp is not that hot (less than 80*), don't expect the unit to lower the room temp more than a couple degrees beyond what it achieves the first half hour of operation. As another reviewer explained, single hose PACs have an in-efficiency issue(cooled room air is being taken in to the unit via the side of the machine instead of a second intake duct) BUT...the comfort level of having the humidity decreased (by 4-8%)can maker a bigger difference than having the temp lowered by a few additional degrees. Therefore, I'm still happy with the Soleus, which is actually more effective at taking moisture out of the air than the bldg's central system. BTW...Unless something is wrong with my unit, the only difference between the AC and Dehumidiy modes is that the latter does not have a thermostat/temp control...the cold air output is the same.
2)I have not been constantly draining the condensation into a bucket like I had to do with my first PAC and have had no leakage problems. I recently found the point that the machine cries "uncle" with automatic shut-off, though. Our building's central air fizzed in the middle of a(very humid) night...we woke up to a reading of 96% (yech) on the humidistat. I turned on the the KY-80 and it had the humidity down to 84% in 2 hours before shutting off. I shut off the machine, drained the water into a bucket, turned the AC back on. It got the humidity down to 68% over the next 3 hours and has been fine since...no shut-off.
3)I have taken another reviewer's suggestion and duct-taped AC filter replacement material (available on Amazon or any hardware store)over the lower intake vents to help keep the coils cleaner (there are 2 removeable/cleanable filters on the upper vents).
Below is the original review from last year:
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This is my 2nd Portable AC...I wrote an extensive review about the first one I bought in 2006 that goes into details about the problems with all PAC's...so understand that my first experience set the bar pretty low. Also,the reason we own a PAC is to supplement the building's central air system that has a way of breaking down on hot, humid weekends, so it is not used as our primary cooling device but just in emergency situations to cool our 180 sq ft bedroom. During the hot spell last week when the central system went kaput, the old Whytner was making funny noises and overheating so we threw it out...here is a link to that review if you want to read it:
http://www.amazon.com/10000-Portable-Conditioner-ARC-10D-Whynter/product-reviews/B000KLSRP4/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
So far, the Soleus KY-80 that we bought as a replacement is a big improvement even though it has 2000 fewer BTUs:
1)The foot print of this model is wonderful: a small unit for a small room. I would rather have a dual hose model...they are much more efficient, but we just don't have the space. Also, it has good design elements that make it easier to put it together and take it apart quickly for easy storage if you are not using it on a regular basis. Even something as simple as a cord winder is a big help. The two way leuvers are good...keep the verticle ones facing up! My only minor concern is that there is no removable filter on the lower half of the unit.
2)The set up was quick and easy BUT I am using a home-made window kit that was put together by cutting a hole for the hose in a piece of hi-density foam rubber (from an old leg pillow) that slides in and out of the window easily and insulates better without duct tape. The biggest complaints about this and other larger, more expensive units are the cheesy window kits...easily resolved by putting together your own. Also...before powering on the unit, make sure it is in an upright position for a few hours! I ran across this suggestion from other PAC reviewers. This gives the refrigerant a chance to settle if the unit was shipped upside down or sideways.
3)The day it arrived, the ambient temp was only 75d and relatively low humidity...no real need for AC, but I did want to make sure the unit worked. It sure did. In 30 minutes, it lowered the temp from 75 to 72d and the humidity from 46% to 43%. In contrast, I put on the central unit(its working again) in the other bedroom as a basis for comparison and it got the temp down to 73d in the same time frame, so the Soleus did better than the central system. As with my old unit, I slipped a fiberglass insulating sleeve over the duct hose...this is a big help for all PACs because they can generate enough heat to nulify the cooling.
4)The other major complaint about PAs is the 'self evaporative' feature that tends not to work...see my old review for details. I can't comment on this because the humidity level today is not challenging, but I am fully prepared to elevate the unit onto a platform (I use an old desk top computer on its side) and drain it into a bucket if necessary...that's just the nature of the beast. Also, the higher the unit is elevated, the more effective the cooling will be since cool air falls/hot air rises. Again, the fact that the unit weighs only 50 lbs helps!
5)The noise level of the Soleus KY-80 is darned acceptable...much quieter than the old Whytner, and certainly no noiser than the larger window units that some of my friends have in their apts. You have to realize that there is a motor and a compressor that are IN the room...not hanging out the window (like window units)or outdoors or in a basement (like central systems).
6)The price is certainly right...but my concern is longevity. The old PAC lasted 6 years but it was only used perhaps 10 nights a year. If this one does as well, for the price, I'll be satisfied.
The 5 stars (so far) are based on an apples to apples comparison: There is no way that the BTUs of a single hose portable are going to equal those of a window unit, or the ambient cooling is going to be equal to that of a central system. But having said that, so far, this little unit works quite well.
Update: This past weekend our bldg's central air went out...it was VERY humid even tho the temp inside was only 79d, the humidity was 62%. I set the unit up in the living room to see what would happen even though the area is at least 700 sq ft. The unit reduced the temp by 2 degrees...which is amazing considering the size of the room, but it reduced the humidity by 9%...down to 53%. The room was quite comfortable. Fortunately, that evening the central was working again, and I had the Soleus disconnected, drained, and back in the closet in fewer than 15 minutes.
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This Item  Soleus Air SoleusAir 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner, Evaporative Single Hose, # KY-80 |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | Currently unavailable. | $309.99 | $321.49 | $561.24 | $20.99 |
| Delivery | — | — | — | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 |
| Customer Ratings | |||||
| Easy to install | |||||
| Sold By | — | Sunpentown | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | HOXHA LLC |
| control method | remote | remote | remote | remote | — |
| power source | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Corded Electric |
| number of speeds | 3 | 2 | — | 3 | — |
| special feature | remote control;dehumidifier | Portable | cantlocate | Portable | Portable |
| model name | KY 80 | 8000BTU Single Hose Portable AC | Single-Hose | ARC-148MS | — |
| weight | 53 pounds | 51 pounds | 53 pounds | 73 pounds | — |
| warranty | Limited | — | Limited | Limited | — |
