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expired Posted by timbertop • Aug 22, 2019
expired Posted by timbertop • Aug 22, 2019

Delonghi Pinguino 4 in 1 portable AC with Heat pump $240 - 500 sq ft 12,500 btu

$198

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$240 at the start of the deal was an all time low price and lowest price ever for a powerful 4 in 1 PAC with heat. During the deal it was briefly $198. It is in and out of stock at this point. Check back. This is the updated '3A' Costco version for which I will share my personal experience. Model PAC EL275 HGRKC-3A

Value: Check out says "Item condition NEW" but it is listed as an Amazon certified renewed product with the promise that it will look and perform as new. Some pp have reported receiving units which are not as described. Costco regular price was $400 with a spring sale a bit lower. This Amazon deal includes a 90 day right of return and warranty from Amazon. An extended service contract offer available up to 30 days post-purchase covers all parts and labor plus accidental damage for 3 or 4 years while also protecting the owner from bearing any return shipping costs for the entire contract period.
This is a powerful feature-packed heat pump for the price.

Security: 90 days by Amazon + three years protection for $34 or four years for $45. Buy the extended warranty up to 30 days post-purchase. No deductibles, covers return shipping and from day of purchase covers accidental damage, drops spills. No need to lug back to warehouse or pay to ship back to Delonghi.
Buying the extended warranty means no dealing with time-wasters at Delonghi while potentially improving the resale value of heat pump. Asuruion states that it is transferable at no charge. The standard Delonghi warranty is essentially useless.

Wiki:] In the Wiki please find useful information which I have added including vent part numbers and recommended inspection upon receipt

SPECIFICATIONS https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/pr...0151862201
Dimensions (l x w x h inches): 19.3 x 17.52 x 34.5
Weight (Lbs): 83.5 pounds
Color: White
Maximum sound power level dB(A): 53dbA
Condensate recycling system: Yes
Dehumidifying function: Yes
Fan speed: 3
Flange with cap: Yes
For rooms up to (sq ft): 500 sq
Handle: Yes
Hose diameter: 130 MM, 5.1 inches
Hose length: 4 ft end to end including connectors
Maximum cooling capacity: 7.200 BTUs (DOE)
Only fan function: Yes
Refrigerant gas: R410A
Remote control: Yes
Single hole window bracket: Yes
Timer (min.): 12hr
Auto restart after power loss: resumes last mode

I have great things to say about this model along with a few cautions which should help you determine if this PAC is right for you.

The good:
Powerful. No draining required, automatically expels condensate through vent hose, no drips, no leaks ( in AC mode only ). 'Real Feal' mode increases comfort without over-cooling.
On-unit storage for the remote. Comes with a capped vent terminus for permanent floor or wall installation. If you are lucky enough to be able to down-vent then this greatly improves the cooling, aesthetic factor, security and convenience. The cabinet itself is sleek and more pleasing than many of the competition. Resumes operation in last set mode in the event of power interruption.

Quiet: At 53dbA max this is one of the quietest PACs. IN AC mode user may select three fan speeds. I found low speed to be very quiet. But fan speed may increases automatically during cooling. No rattles or knocks. Did not notice compressor kick-in clunk which can be annoying on other PACs. Compressor kick-out has a slight thump. Experience will vary depending on room acoustics and variation among machines.

Venting options: through an exterior wall, a floor, a door panel, through an interior wall to a room with an open window such as a laundry room, up through a 5" or greater chimney such as a fireplace. If a small window pane can be removed and replaced then the small vent flange may be installed in a plexi glass pane increasing security and convenience. .

How it sucks: Single hose PAC's use conditioned air instead of outside air to pump the heat out of your home and to cool the
components. In other words they literally suck air out of the home and because of that they are less energy
efficient than other more expensive or less convenient options. Nevertheless
PAC work very well for certain people and certain climates. Single hose
PAC's do not work unless
unless something is left open to replenish the air used for exhausting heat.
Failure to provision outside air is origin of many poor consumer ratings on all PAC except dual hose.
No point in rehashing this limitation in this thread.

A few minor issues: This particular model has window vent kit plastic that breaks if you look at it sideways. The hose connector twist-locks on to the back of the unit and has a tendency to fall off unless it is modified which is not difficult. The 5" diameter hose is O.K. but a bit shorter than other brands at 4 feet end to end including the hose adapters. Can not be extended more than a few inches without compromising efficiency other than when venting straight up through a 6" or larger chimney such as a fireplace. The hose fittings are -not- hard to assemble at all except by folks who can not screw in a light bulb. Requires a bit of putty or tape at connections to prevent leaks.

FAN: Three fan speeds may be selected in AC and heat however the speed will increase periodically during operation. In dehumidify fan speed is fully automatic.

HEAT PUMP mode, unlike cooling mode,may require frequent manual draining. update: Originally it was reported that a continuous drain tube could not not be affixed. Delonghi now says that in heating mode only this is o.k. You still should not allow the unit to drain continuously in cooling mode as some condensate inside is required to cool the compressor.

DeLonghi N and AN series compared: I found the N270 to be a little easier to control with a nicer top located control panel which displays actual as well as set temperature and it has an LCD remote with room temperature display. My N270 does make more of an audible bang when the compressor kicks in compared to this EL275 The EL series seem to be heavier duty units and they are quieter.

Amperage: The EL275 I received has 9.5 amps on the rating plate. Refer to you specific unit's label for amps as some versions use more.

Dehumidifies well in cooling mode. However, unlike a dedicated dehumidifier, PAC output air can be too cool. In fall and winter months will likely require frequent draining. In humid climates this draining might be once an hour.

My experience: 16 x 12 bedroom installation with short hose length down-venting through closet floor. 1500 ft elevation , coastal central California, high humidity forested mountain area, full sun mid summer 9 am to 5 pm, 95 F or better day time temps, single level 2 BR older home with good insulation over bedrooms, dual pane windows, no insulation at all in cathedral ceiling part of home which is all but bedrooms and bath. This unit can chill the bedroom to 66 F in no time at all even with room door open when >90 outside. I always leave kitchen window open to provide vent air. This PAC makes the rest of home bearable when turned on in the morning.

HEATING: In the fall the heat pump worked great but unit filled with condensate and shut off when humidity was greater than 70%. The internal base drain pan filled up in less than an hour requiring manual draining. UPDATE: Delonghi is now saying that it is in fact O.K. to connect a continuous drain tube IN HEATING MODE ONLY. This makes the unit much more usable for heating than originally reported. Does yield a nice dry heat and dehumidifies on damp days 40-65 F. The thermostat works well at controlling the room temperature in heat mode and can be set from 55 F to 81 F. For me, the warm air volume provided and the de-humidification together make better use out of the 1000 watts consumed than an electric heater.

Easy to roll room to room so one unit is capable of keeping this home cool and dry.

Buy recommendation depends on user's climate and installation requirements. Easier to recommend buying if you can down-vent or vent through the wall. Plan on needing a replacement window kit unless very careful not to move unit or remove-replace vent often. Or make your own window kit.


https://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-P...op?ie=UTF8
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
$240 at the start of the deal was an all time low price and lowest price ever for a powerful 4 in 1 PAC with heat. During the deal it was briefly $198. It is in and out of stock at this point. Check back. This is the updated '3A' Costco version for which I will share my personal experience. Model PAC EL275 HGRKC-3A

Value: Check out says "Item condition NEW" but it is listed as an Amazon certified renewed product with the promise that it will look and perform as new. Some pp have reported receiving units which are not as described. Costco regular price was $400 with a spring sale a bit lower. This Amazon deal includes a 90 day right of return and warranty from Amazon. An extended service contract offer available up to 30 days post-purchase covers all parts and labor plus accidental damage for 3 or 4 years while also protecting the owner from bearing any return shipping costs for the entire contract period.
This is a powerful feature-packed heat pump for the price.

Security: 90 days by Amazon + three years protection for $34 or four years for $45. Buy the extended warranty up to 30 days post-purchase. No deductibles, covers return shipping and from day of purchase covers accidental damage, drops spills. No need to lug back to warehouse or pay to ship back to Delonghi.
Buying the extended warranty means no dealing with time-wasters at Delonghi while potentially improving the resale value of heat pump. Asuruion states that it is transferable at no charge. The standard Delonghi warranty is essentially useless.

Wiki:] In the Wiki please find useful information which I have added including vent part numbers and recommended inspection upon receipt

SPECIFICATIONS https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/pr...0151862201
Dimensions (l x w x h inches): 19.3 x 17.52 x 34.5
Weight (Lbs): 83.5 pounds
Color: White
Maximum sound power level dB(A): 53dbA
Condensate recycling system: Yes
Dehumidifying function: Yes
Fan speed: 3
Flange with cap: Yes
For rooms up to (sq ft): 500 sq
Handle: Yes
Hose diameter: 130 MM, 5.1 inches
Hose length: 4 ft end to end including connectors
Maximum cooling capacity: 7.200 BTUs (DOE)
Only fan function: Yes
Refrigerant gas: R410A
Remote control: Yes
Single hole window bracket: Yes
Timer (min.): 12hr
Auto restart after power loss: resumes last mode

I have great things to say about this model along with a few cautions which should help you determine if this PAC is right for you.

The good:
Powerful. No draining required, automatically expels condensate through vent hose, no drips, no leaks ( in AC mode only ). 'Real Feal' mode increases comfort without over-cooling.
On-unit storage for the remote. Comes with a capped vent terminus for permanent floor or wall installation. If you are lucky enough to be able to down-vent then this greatly improves the cooling, aesthetic factor, security and convenience. The cabinet itself is sleek and more pleasing than many of the competition. Resumes operation in last set mode in the event of power interruption.

Quiet: At 53dbA max this is one of the quietest PACs. IN AC mode user may select three fan speeds. I found low speed to be very quiet. But fan speed may increases automatically during cooling. No rattles or knocks. Did not notice compressor kick-in clunk which can be annoying on other PACs. Compressor kick-out has a slight thump. Experience will vary depending on room acoustics and variation among machines.

Venting options: through an exterior wall, a floor, a door panel, through an interior wall to a room with an open window such as a laundry room, up through a 5" or greater chimney such as a fireplace. If a small window pane can be removed and replaced then the small vent flange may be installed in a plexi glass pane increasing security and convenience. .

How it sucks: Single hose PAC's use conditioned air instead of outside air to pump the heat out of your home and to cool the
components. In other words they literally suck air out of the home and because of that they are less energy
efficient than other more expensive or less convenient options. Nevertheless
PAC work very well for certain people and certain climates. Single hose
PAC's do not work unless
unless something is left open to replenish the air used for exhausting heat.
Failure to provision outside air is origin of many poor consumer ratings on all PAC except dual hose.
No point in rehashing this limitation in this thread.

A few minor issues: This particular model has window vent kit plastic that breaks if you look at it sideways. The hose connector twist-locks on to the back of the unit and has a tendency to fall off unless it is modified which is not difficult. The 5" diameter hose is O.K. but a bit shorter than other brands at 4 feet end to end including the hose adapters. Can not be extended more than a few inches without compromising efficiency other than when venting straight up through a 6" or larger chimney such as a fireplace. The hose fittings are -not- hard to assemble at all except by folks who can not screw in a light bulb. Requires a bit of putty or tape at connections to prevent leaks.

FAN: Three fan speeds may be selected in AC and heat however the speed will increase periodically during operation. In dehumidify fan speed is fully automatic.

HEAT PUMP mode, unlike cooling mode,may require frequent manual draining. update: Originally it was reported that a continuous drain tube could not not be affixed. Delonghi now says that in heating mode only this is o.k. You still should not allow the unit to drain continuously in cooling mode as some condensate inside is required to cool the compressor.

DeLonghi N and AN series compared: I found the N270 to be a little easier to control with a nicer top located control panel which displays actual as well as set temperature and it has an LCD remote with room temperature display. My N270 does make more of an audible bang when the compressor kicks in compared to this EL275 The EL series seem to be heavier duty units and they are quieter.

Amperage: The EL275 I received has 9.5 amps on the rating plate. Refer to you specific unit's label for amps as some versions use more.

Dehumidifies well in cooling mode. However, unlike a dedicated dehumidifier, PAC output air can be too cool. In fall and winter months will likely require frequent draining. In humid climates this draining might be once an hour.

My experience: 16 x 12 bedroom installation with short hose length down-venting through closet floor. 1500 ft elevation , coastal central California, high humidity forested mountain area, full sun mid summer 9 am to 5 pm, 95 F or better day time temps, single level 2 BR older home with good insulation over bedrooms, dual pane windows, no insulation at all in cathedral ceiling part of home which is all but bedrooms and bath. This unit can chill the bedroom to 66 F in no time at all even with room door open when >90 outside. I always leave kitchen window open to provide vent air. This PAC makes the rest of home bearable when turned on in the morning.

HEATING: In the fall the heat pump worked great but unit filled with condensate and shut off when humidity was greater than 70%. The internal base drain pan filled up in less than an hour requiring manual draining. UPDATE: Delonghi is now saying that it is in fact O.K. to connect a continuous drain tube IN HEATING MODE ONLY. This makes the unit much more usable for heating than originally reported. Does yield a nice dry heat and dehumidifies on damp days 40-65 F. The thermostat works well at controlling the room temperature in heat mode and can be set from 55 F to 81 F. For me, the warm air volume provided and the de-humidification together make better use out of the 1000 watts consumed than an electric heater.

Easy to roll room to room so one unit is capable of keeping this home cool and dry.

Buy recommendation depends on user's climate and installation requirements. Easier to recommend buying if you can down-vent or vent through the wall. Plan on needing a replacement window kit unless very careful not to move unit or remove-replace vent often. Or make your own window kit.


https://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-P...op?ie=UTF8

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95 Comments

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Aug 22, 2019
400 Posts
Joined Oct 2015
Aug 22, 2019
CanadianPanda
Aug 22, 2019
400 Posts
Thanks for the detailed break down. I'm considering buying one for cooling my dog
Aug 22, 2019
3,154 Posts
Joined Oct 2016
Aug 22, 2019
FrozenBeer
Aug 22, 2019
3,154 Posts
is this unit loud?

I bought one of these for $400 from Costco a couple of years ago. It was loud and drove me insane. I returned it after a few weeks. Then I started looking at other brands/models, but I guess most of these are noisy?
Aug 22, 2019
26 Posts
Joined Dec 2016
Aug 22, 2019
Louamo
Aug 22, 2019
26 Posts
Yes, these are loud and inefficient. They take indoor air that was cooled and blow it through the hot coils to the outside.
https://youtu.be/_-mBeYC2KGc
Original Poster
Aug 22, 2019
3,356 Posts
Joined Nov 2011
Aug 22, 2019
timbertop
Original Poster
Aug 22, 2019
3,356 Posts
Quote from FrozenBeer :
is this unit loud?

I bought one of these for $400 from Costco a couple of years ago. It was loud and drove me insane. I returned it after a few weeks. Then I started looking at other brands/models, but I guess most of these are noisy?
Keep an eye out for the smaller N27 model as sold by Costco. I think its quiet for a PAC. I was able to lock it in low cool. At night the dehumidify mode keeps me cool enough. Down-venting through the floor if possible will reduce decibels due to shorter vent hose run.
Aug 22, 2019
5,105 Posts
Joined Apr 2006
Aug 22, 2019
fenton
Aug 22, 2019
5,105 Posts
We have a Delonghi in our master bedroom (no, not to offset my deshorti). PAC CN120E or something like that. It was originally a band-aid until I figure out why it gets up to 85° in this room despite the rest of our house being 72°, but has become a permanent fixture because of my laziness and the white noise it provides.

Anyways, I'd recommend it if you don't mind or if you welcome the noise. Normally it is quieter than our last one (LG 14k BTU), but it has started an variable throttling sound when the compressor is running, much like a poorly-tuned engine at idle. I probably just need to clean the filter or empty the water or something.
Aug 22, 2019
728 Posts
Joined May 2007
Aug 22, 2019
CJ00TA
Aug 22, 2019
728 Posts
Anyone vent this into an attic space? I need cooling for a network closet / server room in my house and trying not to invest in a mini split. No window access in my closet either.
Aug 22, 2019
149 Posts
Joined Jul 2012
Aug 22, 2019
HassanJ
Aug 22, 2019
149 Posts
I bought this yesterday and then realized the btu on it is 7200, which is not enough for 500 sq ft... I emailed amazon and woot sent me a ups sticker... will get it next week and try it before sending it back if it is not up to task. This is for my basement which is approx 400 sq ft

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Aug 22, 2019
3,222 Posts
Joined Nov 2006

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users.

Aug 22, 2019
549 Posts
Joined Nov 2011
Aug 22, 2019
haggler
Aug 22, 2019
549 Posts
I bought this from costco for around 300. Has lasted me 2 seasons thus far. It is pretty loud for a small bedroom but the noise is like white noise. Came with a 3 yr warranty, but if I knew delongi warranty was a PITA maybe I wouldn't have bought it. I learned these are less efficient, but honestly for a few hours before I go to bed when temperatures are above 80, it works fine. It also has a timer which is great because I can set it to turn off after temps drop and I'm asleep.
Aug 22, 2019
1,287 Posts
Joined Dec 2008
Aug 22, 2019
Lukeed
Aug 22, 2019
1,287 Posts
Quote from CJ00TA :
Anyone vent this into an attic space? I need cooling for a network closet / server room in my house and trying not to invest in a mini split. No window access in my closet either.
Fair warning, these use SO much more energy than a mini-split. We had these up until last summer and they made the living room bearable. Decided to invest in a minisplit last august when we had bad monsoons and we were tired of spending so much on electric only to have it manageable. The mini split is AMAZING. keeps nearly the entire house comfortable and we are using 2/3 of the electricity of the portable AC. We paid for the mini split in energy savings this summer alone.

This is the unit we purchased: climateright cr12000sach You can usually get it under $1K from Home Depot or Amazon. It's super easy to install and no need for an AC tech.
Aug 22, 2019
695 Posts
Joined Dec 2014
Aug 22, 2019
term
Aug 22, 2019
695 Posts
does this unit work like the rest of the single hose portable ac's? if so, then it might not be that good. you need a pair of hoses: one to pull fresh air in to cool, and one to remove the warm air out of the room. a single hose unit doesn't usually do that. the no-drain feature seems nice though.
Aug 22, 2019
264 Posts
Joined Feb 2015
Aug 22, 2019
xTorquEx
Aug 22, 2019
264 Posts
Quote from CanadianPanda :
Thanks for the detailed break down. I'm considering buying one for cooling my dog
Do you have a hot dog?
Aug 22, 2019
87 Posts
Joined Oct 2018
Aug 22, 2019
DallasD9243
Aug 22, 2019
87 Posts
I had a single hose vent model prior to my current two hose. Not this model or brand. It was "self evaporating." However as discussed the climate where this is used matters. You may have descent odds of evaporating the condensate in Nevada (where it will create AND expel less moisture). But in the case of mine, which was located in Minnesota, I had to put a drip tank beneath the "overflow" and would fill up a couple gallons per night. All from a bedroom. Inefficient doesn't bother me, but it ends up taking a major cut into net cooling ability. The lowest pressure, even if you open a window somewhere else in the house, is still going to be the room with the a/c unit, so all of that warm air from elsewhere gets sucked into the room. If you have no other options and are on a budget, by all means, this is better than just a fan. However, take these cons into serious consideration if you're on the fence and or can pay more for two hose. Nice of the OP to take the time to explain the pros and cons, though, appreciate it.
Aug 22, 2019
731 Posts
Joined Dec 2016
Aug 22, 2019
Ascender
Aug 22, 2019
731 Posts
Quote from CJ00TA :
Anyone vent this into an attic space? I need cooling for a network closet / server room in my house and trying not to invest in a mini split. No window access in my closet either.
Don't do it. Even if it cools well, these usually vent condensate/ humidity out the same hose. You'll have tons of mold in your attic.

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Aug 22, 2019
764 Posts
Joined Aug 2010
Aug 22, 2019
vemnox
Aug 22, 2019
764 Posts
Those reviews were enough to scare me away, seems very hit-or-miss. Thanks for posting but I'll hold on for the next one.

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