Soleus LX-140

Bottom Line

The Soleus LX-140 is a powerful 14,000-Btu portable air conditioner that doubles as a space heater. Most users applaud its cooling performance, and they also say it's very quiet. However, we also saw quite a lot of complaints about this unit's reliability. It needs frequent draining, which is a tricky process, and it will overflow if not emptied. Mechanical failures also pop up disturbingly often, and warranty service is a major hassle.

Performance

Powerful, quiet cooling. With 14,000 Btu of cooling power, the Soleus can cool even large rooms with ease. Most owners are impressed with its cooling power, saying it works effectively even under the most extreme conditions. Users who have tried the heater function during the winter months say that it's very effective as well. Moreover, the unit is very quiet, running at a maximum of 46 decibels. However, several users caution that this unit uses a lot of electricity. While its energy efficiency rating (EER) of 10.1 isn't bad, it isn't great either, and 14,000 Btu is a lot of power.

Ease Of Use

Watch out for spillage. Like other air conditioners in its size class, the Soleus has a self-evaporation system, meaning that it's designed to exhaust collected moisture from a room along with heated air. However, most users say this feature doesn't work well. Several reviews say the moisture tank fills up quickly on humid days, and while the air conditioner has a warning light that goes on when the tank is full, it doesn't shut off automatically. Thus, many users have had problems with water overflowing onto the floor. Moreover, with the drain on the bottom of the unit, it's difficult to add a pan to catch the overflow.

Value

Low price, but iffy durability. At just over $450, the Soleus looks like a great bargain. It's cheaper than other units its size, and you get a space heater thrown in for free. However, problems with durability may make this a poor bargain in the long run. We read many reviews complaining that this air conditioner broke down within months, weeks or even days after purchase. Although it's covered by a one-year warranty, the only way to get repairs is to ship the 83-pound machine to the manufacturer at your own cost. Moreover, one user reports that Soleus will not replace the unit again if the first replacement fails.