Comparison: NewAir AC-10000E vs. NewAir AC-10100E

Posted on May 18, 2012

There’s a new kid on the NewAir block. We take a closer look and see how the recently debuted AC-10100E stacks up to the tried and true AC-10000E.

First off, on paper these two AC’s are virtually identical. Both feature a 10,000 BTU rating and a host of features like an automatic mode, remote controls, and sleep timers. They even both have the same efficiency ratings and given a choice between the two it might be difficult to decide.

We going to dive into this comparison with a four round review of the design, size, performance, and features.

Round 1: Design

The biggest difference between these two units is the exterior design. The AC-10100E (on the right here) has a clean white finish as opposed to the AC-10000E’s classic silver. The 10100 does have a convenient handle on top of the unit that makes moving it around a bit easier than the 10000. Controls on both are nearly identical with the edge going to the older AC-10000 simply because the buttons have clear labeling instead of the symbols of the AC-10100.

While design is a personal choice and you may choose one over the other simply because one matches your room better, we prefer the subtler silver of the NewAir AC-10000E, the clearer controls are a bonus too!

Round 2: Size

These two air conditioners are both squarely in the compact range with the AC-10100E being the smaller of the two. In fact, the AC-10100E is both shallower and shorter that the MobilComfort KY-80, previously our most compact AC.

AC-10100E – L:11.00″ x W:13.00″ x H:29.00″

AC-10000E – L:12.20″ x W:13.80″ x H:28.00″

The AC-10100E is the clear winner hear delivering the same performance in a package that is a smaller in almost every dimension.

Round 3: Performance

During our testing we noticed almost no discernible difference in performance between the two. Taking a look at the back of the units (here with the top filter grills removed) we couldn’t find any major difference in internal setup.

In short, the AC-10000E and AC-10100E perform similarly in every way with the one exception being the up and down adjustable louvers on the AC-10100E. However, because the louvers only move a few degrees up and down the effect was negligible.

This really is a draw since both perform nearly exactly the same on paper and during our testing.

Round 4: Features

Both the AC-10000E and AC-10100E have a host of features that stand out among their competitors. These include:

Automatic mode that turns the AC off once the room gets to the set temperature
A remote so you don’t have to walk to the unit to adjust settings
Built in 12-hour timer that will shut the unit off after the desired number of hours
Overflow light that lets you know when the unit needs to be drained
LED readout that tells you current temperature and set temperature

NewAir’s AC-10100E also includes a sleep mode that raises the temperature by 2 degrees after the first hour and a further 2 degrees after another hour. This saves you energy by making sure the unit isn’t wasting energy while you sleep.

Because the NewAir AC-10100E has the additional sleep timer on top of all of the 10000E’s already great feature list we give it top honors in this category.

Conclusion

NewAir’s latest compact portable air conditioner is an evolution of the AC-10000E. The performance and features that have made the 10000E one of our most popular models have carried over into the 10100E. The AC-10100E is slightly smaller and offers the new sleep timer for added convenience.

With the AC-10000E and AC-10100E priced within a few dollars of each other the decision really comes down to what your looking for in an air conditioner. If space is tight the AC-10100E will probably be your top choice. Or you might prefer the subtle silver of the AC-10000E. With both the AC-10000E and AC-10100E being such great choices it really comes down to personal preference.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Shipping, 5 Simple Steps to Prevent Problems

Posted on May 16, 2012

Comment

As an online retailer we do a lot of shipping every day. Most of the time it goes off without a hitch, customer gets product, customer uses product, all is well in the world.

However, every once in a while there are small hiccups in our little world and we end up with broken bits. Nobody likes broken bits so let’s go over 5 helpful tips that we use that can make shipping anything trouble free:

1. Package Smart

By far the most important part of avoiding damage or confusion while shipping is packaging. Make sure that you fully box whatever it is your sending. Many times if you are not able to find a suitable box the original shipper can send you one with a return label for a small fee.

Seriously do not attempt to ship anything without a box or protective packaging, it won't be pretty by the time it gets to where it's going... and yes, that's a shipping label on the side

Now that you have a fancy box for whatever it is your sending make sure to fill extra space with something that will cushion any jostling that might happen while shipping.

We use packing peanuts to keep everything nice and neat while shipping, you can use cheap paper like newspaper to keep things snug.

The last part of packing smart is pretty basic, tape the box up well. Well taped boxes will stop things from flying out of the box while shipping and keep nastiness out.

2. Label Correctly

Labeling a box is generally not a difficult thing when sending something. Print it off at home or take it to your local shipping company and have them slap a label on. Remember to label the box appropriately if it contains anything fragile or otherwise deserving of a warning.

See, we use pretty red stickers to tell people to play nice with our boxes

3. Handle with Care

Not a difficult concept here, if you want your stuff to stay pretty you probably shouldn’t do anything stupid with it. Make sure to take your time when moving boxes and always think about whats inside when moving. Also, remember not to stack heavy boxes as they may collapse.

Don't lift more than you can handle and use a dolly to make moving heavy boxes easier

4. Receive Promptly

An obvious way to prevent damage to shipped items is to not leave them in places that they are exposed to the elements. The best way to avoid this is to make arrangements with the shipping party to deliver the product when you will be available to receive it or give instructions to leave it somewhere appropriate. If you don’t see the item on the day it was supposed to be delivered it might be good to check the tracking for delivery status and call if there are problems.

5. Save the Packaging

The final step in saving you serious headache when sending or receiving and shipment is to save the box that originally came with the product. Now were not telling you to end up on an episode of hoarders but with high dollar or bulky items you should seriously consider finding an out-of-the-way place for the packaging.

A symphony Winter-XL damaged from shipping

This unit was in new condition when it was shipped back to us without a box, SAVE YOUR BOXES PEOPLE!

That’s it really, not that hard to remember a few simple steps. You can save yourself major headache and money by following these easy steps. After all, who wants to be stuck with broken stuff and a burning pocket?

Review: NewAir AF-520 Misting Fan

Posted on May 11, 2012

Comment

Pros:

Simple, rugged design
Straightforward operation
Cool mist feels great
Hose hookup lets you mist all day
A fraction the cost of other misting fans

Cons:

Assembly is required
Not designed for indoor use

The AF-520 is the first misting fan from NewAir. When we received our unit for testing we were anxious to see how it would preform against other misting fans we carry like the Soleous MT-1-19-31.

The first thing we noticed when we got the unit was how small the box was, it impressive that they manage to fit a fan this big (more on that later) into this size box. The second thing we noticed was how many pieces it was in. It was not a simple 5 minute setup to get the fan ready to use. I’d suggest having a few basic tools handy too like a screwdriver and needle nose pliers.

Once assembled though we were pleasantly surprised by the size and sturdiness of the NewAir AF-520 misting fan. You can tell that this fan was made for serious outdoor use. The misting felt great on the 80 degree California spring day and we could feel the cool breeze from as far as 20 feet away. When we used the unit we were impressed by the cooling effect of the fan and easily felt 5-10 degrees cooler when we were in the path of the breeze.The stand was sturdy and the height adjustment and head angle adjustment made it easy to aim the cooling wherever we needed it. We particularly liked the rubberized controls that kept water out and felt great to use. Three simple settings let you choose the fan speed. Anyone that’s ever seen or used any other pedestal fan will have no confusion when operating this fan.

In fact, the only part of this fan that is any different from any other pedestal fan is the fact that it hooks up to your hose and mists. Conveniently, the NewAir AF-520 comes with a hose shutoff valve that lets you turn the misting on and off with ease without anything more than a simple swipe of your thumb.

With other misting fans in this price range like the Soleous MT-1-19-31 you actually have to pour water into the unit. This can be a major source of frustration as the water for misting quickly runs out and your left having to fetch more water to keep it going.

There are three spray nozzles on the NewAir AF-520 misting fan. They seemed to spread the misting out well and the water carried perfectly in the wind from the fan. The nozzles screw in and out of the unit easily. During our testing we noticed that small particulate from the hose would sometimes clog the nozzles, even with the protective screen built in to the hose hookup. For this reason we recommend that you run the house for a short while before connecting it to the fan.

The NewAir AF-520 misting pedestal fan is designed primarily as an outdoor fan and it would be hard to imagine using the misting indoors. After less than a minute the powerful misting resulted in a very wet wall. The AF-520 misting fan could easily replace your pedestal fan indoors but the misting would be far too powerful for inside the home.

It is clear that NewAir has squarely aimed to satisfy the outdoor patio user. And indeed they have hit the mark. The AF-520 is the only option for serious outdoor cooling in it’s price range. It’s rivals are a fraction the size and simply wont cool the same area. The lack of a hose hookup on other misting fans in the price range make the choice even easier. Other outdoor misting fans with the same features can easily run 3 to 4 times the price of the NewAir AF-520. Overall, the NewAir AF-520 is a great way to stay cool outside while relaxing or entertaining guests without breaking the bank.

Congratulations to our $100 CASH Winner for April!

Posted on May 8, 2012

Comment

Congratulations to…

“Cabernet all the way !!”

for winning April’s Customer Review $100 Cash Prize!

Do you own any of our products? We want to know how satisfied you are with your purchase. After writing and submitting your product review, you’ll be entered to win $100 in cash. A new winner will be chosen every month and notified through email.

The customer review can be found here: Absolute BEST for the price !!

Overall Rating: 5 stars

Product Construction: 5 stars

Product Performance: 5 stars

Attractive Design: 5 stars

Noise Level: 5 stars

Accurate Temperature Control: 4 stars

Would recommend to a friend: Yes

Review Title: Absolute BEST for the price !!

“This is my second cooler purchase from Air & Water and this cooler exceeds all expectations. It was shipped the same day and that really impresses me. Well done guys! Got it in three days and was well packed too. The unit is very attractive and the wooden racks really stand out. No more metal rack clanging when pulling a bottle out. Doors close and seal very well. The interior lights only light up the top rack but still looks good at night. This cooler is MUCH nicer than units costing far more. I am VERY particular, so trust me on this cooler. Get one !!!”

Reviewed on NewAir AW-321ED 32 Bottle Dual Zone Thermoelectric Wine Cooler

Additional Review Information:

Reviewer ID:	z9ngxz55x33435rfvs464xowq9
Nickname:	Cabernet all the way !!
Location:	Spring, TX, USA

Thank you again! “Cabernet all the way !!“

We appreciate your feedback and hope to hear from you again soon!

Review: NewAir AC-12100E Air Conditioner

Posted on May 3, 2012

Comment

NewAir AC-12100E portable air conditioner

The NewAir Ac-12100E has a simple, straightforward design and the electronic louvers are a neat feature.

Pro:

Easy to use controls
Remote works flawlessly
Effortless automatic setting lets you set a temperature and walk away
Great price for a powerful 12,000 BTU air conditioner
Rubber isolated compressor is very quiet
24 hour timer lets you set a timer so you don’t waist energy through the night

Con:

Electric louvers don’t remember the position you left them in and simply return to default position when you turn the unit on
Ionizing filter grill is flimsy and difficult to insert
Automatic mode doesn’t turn unit off, simply turns to fan mode when the desired temperature is reached
Once you get over the fancy electronic louvers the design can be a little bit dull

The AC-12100E is one of the latest portable air conditioners from NewAir. It’s 12,000 BTUs of cooling power let it comfortably cool up to 425 square feet of living space. It boasts an impressive feature set including electric louvers, fan only operation, convenient remote, 24 hour timer, fully automatic mode, and dehumidifying “dry” setting.

The AC-12100E was able to cool the 72 degree ambient air down to an impressive 54 degrees, nearly a 20 degree difference. (Notice the high humidity from the automatic evaporation).

A higher energy efficiency ratio means that the unit produces more cooling BTUs per watt of electricity consumed than a less efficient air conditioner. The NewAir AC-12100E has an EER of 8.9. This means that you’ll spend less keeping your room cool than with other portable air conditioners.

The AC-12100E’s rubber isolated compressor is very quiet; in fact most of the noise comes from the fan on the unit. The overall noise is reasonable and will not be distracting on the low setting. A conversation can easily be carried on while standing right next to the unit, even at full power.

An impressively powerful blower fan moved enough air that we could feel a steady breeze even at 15+ feet away. If children or curious pets are frequently going to be around the unit the built in guards in front of the blowers on both sides will help keep fingers or paws from injury. AC-12100E control panel

The electric louvers can be a bit annoying to adjust manually as you have to keep pressing the button or the remote to move them one step at a time. I found it much more pleasant to leave them on the auto “swing” mode by pressing the button for about 3 seconds. This makes for a really pleasant breeze that keeps the air moving around the room by moving the louvers up and down.

Controls on this NewAir portable air conditioner are generally quite straightforward and the auto mode is hassle free. One thing that was a little difficult to figure out was switching the display from Fahrenheit to Celsius (it turns out that holding both temperature control arrows at the same time does the trick).

The remote control was completely painless to use, simply set the temperature on the remote and the unit will match the remote within seconds. Straightforward button placement and clear labeling were a big plus too.

The AC-12100E is easy to move about the room and it’s 7 foot cord and 5 foot exhaust vent make it easy to place exactly where you want. This can be especially important if you have a home with high windows or oddly placed electrical outlets.

Overall the NewAir AC-12100E is a fantastic portable air conditioner that has plenty of cooling power to keep you cool on hot summer days. The only real complaints are the flimsy filter grill and the louvers that always return to the up position when turned on. You’ll be able to cool down without the worry of spending tons to keep cool with the AC-12100E. If your looking for an efficient and feature packed portable air conditioner this summer look no further than the AC-12100E.

Five simple steps that will help you save!

Posted on May 2, 2012

Comment

Ever wondered how much electricity your appliances use? Did you know that every electric appliance is rated in a universal rating called watts? Calculating the cost of using an appliance is surprisingly easy once you know the process and can save you hundreds of dollars a year!

Among the biggest cost of electricity are air conditioners and heaters so it’s important to know the efficiency and cost of running your appliances.

NewAir ac-10000e portable air conditioner

The NewAir AC-10000E uses 909 Watts. If used 4 hours a day it uses 3.64 kWh a day. If using the AC-10000E in California (average price: $0.20 per kWh in March 2012), 4 hours of use would cost about 80 cents.

Steps to determine an appliances usage cost:

1: Find out how many watts it uses – most of the products we carry actually list their wattage in the detailed information making it easy to find out how much they use.

2: Determine how many hours a day the appliance is used – this depends entirely on your usage and will vary greatly from person to person.

3: Multiply the wattage by the hours used and divide by 1,000 – this gives you your daily Kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption.

4: Determine the cost of one kWh – this will depend on your electricity provider but can be found on your monthly billing statements.

5: Multiply the cost of one kWh by the daily kWh usage to get your appliances cost for a day. Multiply that by how many days a month you use that appliance to get monthly usage. You can find your appliances cost of usage for any period of time by simply doing the math!

This is the same process written out:

(Appliance Wattage x Hours Used Per Day) ÷ 1000 x cost per kWh = cost per day

kWh = Kilowatt-hour

1 kilowatt (kW) = 1,000 Watts

Alternately, a list of common household appliance usage can be found here: http://www.cwlp.com/energy_services/eso_services_programs/appliance_energy_use_chart.htm

Figuring your monthly energy usage can be a great way to monitor your energy usage and save money by adjusting your usage habits. Often times utility companies will even have “off-peak” pricing that is cheaper than when electricity demand is high. If you know which appliances use a lot of electricity you can change your schedule to save on your electricity bill.

Blast from the Past: The Water Cooler

Posted on April 27, 2012

Comment

Water is an essential part of everyone’s life. As summertime approaches the importance of having fresh, cool water is quickly remembered by many. Today it’s easy to simply go to the nearest water dispenser or faucet and get a refreshing glass of water.

Clean drinking water is something that has only truly become prevalent in this country in the last hundred years and is still a pressing issue worldwide. The water cooler was a pioneering factor in clean water sale and remains a popular choice for those who want the cleanest and freshest water.

In the mid 19th century water was often sold in large ceramic jugs. Later, glass containers called carboys would become popular.

The water cooler and water companies have been around in the United States since about the mid 19^th century. Poland Springs is credited as being the first company to see widespread sales of bottled spring water.

Early water coolers used ice to cool the water being served.

Interestingly, many antique water dispensers are similar in appearance to today's basic models.

The first electric water cooler was introduced by Haws Drinking & Faucet Company in 1938. Since then the idea of having cold water whenever one wants has become widespread. Water coolers are a staple of the office workplace and a common sight in most homes.

Today's electric water coolers are quieter and more efficient than their early counterparts. This is a 1940's Westinghouse water cooler.

Today’s water coolers come in a wide array of sizes, shapes, and applications. Whether you want to simply serve room temperature water through a basic water dispenser or have filtered hot and cold water served from an elegant pedestal, there are options that will satisfy either.

Aquaverve Celsius Hot and Cold Water Dispenser

A modern Aquaverve water cooler is the pinnacle of water cooler design.

Even though the water dispenser has been around for more than a hundred years the fundamental concept has changed little. Water coolers offer clean, cool water at the convenience of a simple pull of a leaver. This can often seem unimportant but there are few things as welcome as a refreshing glass of cool water on a hot day.

Pictures are thanks to: http://www.baharris.org/historicpolandspring/Packaging/Packaging.htm | http://chestofbooks.com/food/beverages/Adulteration-Origin/Historical-Sketch.html | http://bricolage-julier.blogspot.com/2009/02/fabulous-find-7-vintage-water-cooler.html | http://www.designsponge.com/2010/04/before-after-mias-frame-table-gregs-cooler.html

Going Green Can Save your Pocketbook and the Earth

Posted on April 24, 2012

Comment

Earth day was this last Sunday, how did you spend the day? More than likely you didn’t do anything special, maybe a backyard BBQ or a simple evening at home. Whatever the case, it was all thanks to the wonderful planet we live on.

We all love being comfortable and air conditioning is one of the best ways to enjoy your home when it’s hot outside. However, air conditioning uses a lot of energy and can really be a strain on the environment if used irresponsibly. Comfortable living doesn’t have to be wasteful and expensive though.There are simple steps that you can take to you can take to ensure the energy you use is effective at keeping you cool. Here are some simple ideas and tips to keep you comfortable without the waste!

Use electric fans to stay cool without needing to turn your AC on
Set your thermostat to 78 when at home and leave your AC off when your away
Run your central fan without turning the AC on, you’d be surprised how much cooler your hose can get just by circulating the air!
Plant trees to give your house natural shade, believe it or not shade can actually reduce your cooling costs by 30%!
Have your house scanned with a thermal camera (or rent one yourself) to identify areas that need to be better sealed or insulated
Use an evaporative cooler to keep cool without needing to run your AC; evaporative coolers use 4 times less energy than an air conditioner and can provide similar cooling power in the right environment
Remember to turn off lights and other electrical equipment when not in use, they all produce heat and cost you money
Use a dehumidifier to take excess moisture out of the air, often times the natural dehumidifying of air conditioners is one of the reasons that it feels so cool
Keep your curtains closed when sunlight is shining through
Make sure your AC unit isn’t in direct sunlight, a simple guard or bushes will keep the sun off of the unit and let it cool your house quicker and use less energy
Plan chores for later in the evening when its naturally cooler so you don’t get hot and feel the need to turn on your air conditioner
Have your AC system checked every spring to make sure it’s running at it’s best and not wasting energy
Consider lighter colors the next time you paint your house, they absorb less heat than dark paints
Close vents in rooms you don’t use so you don’t waste energy cooling empty rooms
Find fun outdoor activities that keep you cool such as swimming or taking a walk along a shady path

If we all take small steps to be more efficient in our daily lives we can significantly reduce our impact on the planet. In fact, since the ban of CFCs we have already made great progress in reversing the widening of the ozone hole.

Helping the environment doesn’t have to mean drastic changes or expensive investments. In fact, you can often save money when living smart. With energy savings helping the planet and your pocketbook, doesn’t it make sense to think green?

Blast from the Past: Electric Fans Then and Now

Posted on April 20, 2012

Comment

Comfortable living has long been the goal of many inventors. In 1982 Schuyler Wheeler invented a device that would forever change how people stayed comfortable. Wheeler’s invention was the electric fan.

Schuyler Wheeler's 1892 fan

With the growing popularity of electricity in the average home electric fans soon became the must have appliance of any home during hot summer days. Early fans of the 1890′s through 1920′s often featured incredibly robust construction and little in the way of protection. As time progressed fans soon started featuring many of the details we expect today. In fact by the 1930′s most fans were already at the peak of fan technology. Many of the features that buyers look for when buying a window fan today have been available for almost 80 years.

This restored 1930's window fan still runs and is used regularly!

A modern Lasko window fan is fundamentally similar in almost every way to fans of the 1930's

While these two fans share many of the same design elements there are also some interesting differences that highlight the changes in manufacturing technology over the years. The heavy metal construction of early fans has yielded to the cheaper-to-produce plastics of the 1970′s. Many fan collectors prefer the solid construction and overbuilt mechanicals that have allowed the fans of the past to survive the test of time. The grills of modern fans have become safer to prevent accidental touching of the fan blades.

Interestingly, fans today feature nearly identical operation as fans of the past including multiple speeds, reversible directions, and window fitting guards to maximize air circulation.

This unrestored 1949 Air King fan is still used every day! A real testament to the construction of early fans.

These early fans were designed for heavy use because at the time they were the only option for staying cool in hot weather. As technology advanced and air conditioning soon became an affordable option for mainstream homeowners the days of the fan as a necessary appliance became numbered.

However, the fan is still an integral part of the air conditioning process and without it we would not have air conditioning at all. Comfort in the 20th century has been revolutionized by the invention of the electric fan.

Interesting fact: in the 1970′s fans became such a draw on the electric grid in South Korea that it is rumored that the South Korean government started spreading rumors that a fan left on overnight could kill you.

For more information on antique fans take a look at http://www.afcaforum.com/

Many thanks to Michael Mirin of http://www.wiskeylizard.com/ for providing pictures

It Came From Air & Water: Interesting Products

Posted on April 17, 2012

Comment

Since opening our doors in 2002 our website has grown to include a huge variety of products aimed at satisfying any appliance need you may have. From air conditioners to wine coolers and everything in between, we aim to carry anything that makes your life easier.

Our selection of products has become vast, so vast in fact that we often find items buried in our website that genuinely surprise us. Some are wonderful, some are odd, some are just plane confusing. Whatever the case may be I’d like to highlight some of my favorite unusual items from deep within the Air & Water site!

The mainstay of the backyard bbq, hot dogs are a sure fire way to make any day feel like a great day at the local fair! The Nostalgia Electrics HDR-565 is a kitchen appliance in the loose sense of the word, it does cook, it just does it with a lot more flair than most of our appliances, that’s why we love it!

To be honest, I didn’t even know this type of product existed until I ran into it on our website. If you need to dry dishes and don’t want to wait for the water to evaporate naturally you can use the Sunpentown SD-1501 dish dryer. Truth be told it seems like an odd product if you ask me but if you want your dishes extra dry then I’m sure its great!

There are few treats as refreshing as a snow cone on a hot day. The Nostalgia Electrics SCC-200 snow cone maker will instantly make you feel like you’re a child again. It’s an appliance in the loosest sense of the word but it’s definitely one of my favorites from our site.

This interesting little invention is one of the least expected things I’ve found on our site. Truth be told I didn’t even know that someone made a rechargeable hand warmer. A great idea for those in colder climates, the Sunpentown SH-113FB seems to be a fine little invention, if not a little unusual.