Add Moisture to Any Room with the Air-O-Swiss Ultrasonic Humidifier

Air-O-Swiss AIR-O-SWISS 7145 Ultrasonic Humidifier [Misc.] Sale Price: $106.99 Used From: $79.99 Average Rating:

Description

The Air-O-Swiss Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier 7145 is a high-quality ultrasonic humidifier featuring a premium titanium transducer surface, which uses adjustable high-frequency vibrations to turn water into a micro-fine mist, which is blown into the room to evaporate. Unlike other ultrasonic humidifiers, the Air-O-Swiss titanium transducer surface is much stronger than ordinary metals, resists rust, lasts longer and requires less cleaning. The Air-O-Swiss 7145 features a tri-band microbial protection system which guarantees that the water will be kept free from harmful bacteria and viruses. A replaceable demineralization cartridge (Ag+ Ionic Silver Technology) helps reduce white dust" (lime scale and other mineral deposits from the mist output). In addition, the patented Ionic Silver Stick uses aqueous silver ions to control microbial growth for up to one year of continuous use. It is self-regulating and maintenance-free. Quality components with long service life Energy efficient - uses only 24W Ultra quiet operation with 2 fan speeds - one for normal and one for night use Replaceable wick filter AOS-7018 (included) Unit Dimensions - 12.6 W x 12.6 D x 15.7 H; Weight - 8.4 lbs Color - White

Features

• Patented Ionic Silver Stick (included - replace once per year) uses aqueous silver ions to control microbial growth for up to one year of continuous use. This optional accessory uses the antimicrobial action of silver to keep the unit safe and free of microbial growth. It is self-regulating and maintenance-free. Included lifecycle replacement indicator lets you know when to change the Ionic Silver Stick.
• No white dust - The evaporative method of humidification is the most natural and healthiest way to add pure moisture to the air, without leaving any white dust or residue from mineral deposits. Replaceable wick filter traps any impurities or minerals that are present in the water
• Top fill design - simply pour water directly into top of unit. No heavy water bottles to carry or fill
• Easy handling and cleaning - unit can be taken apart in just 3 steps
• Visible water level thanks to a floater that indicates when the water base is full

Reviews

I should have realized something was rotten by the giant monument of Air-O-Swiss boxes lined up against the wall at the store. I got tired of cheap, crappy humidifiers that required weekly scrub downs, so this seemed like the perfect alternative. At first everything was great. I used the EZ-cal cleaner once a week, and the humidifier kept my room very nice and humid. I kept up my end of the bargain, shelling out $8 for 3 packs of cleaning powder every 3 weeks, but the humidifier gradually became less and less reliable. At this point it puts out a sputter of humidity, and some nights it doesn't put out any. When I wake up the water level is exactly where it was the night before. I have to play with the dials like I'm picking a lock to get humidity, and even then it comes out in irregular bursts (set at maximum level). I have treated this humidifier like the expensive object it is, no drops of bumps, and it's almost useless. I'm going to see if I can return it through the warranty, but I highly suspect I'll be doing this same dance with a new unit (and to the tune of $8 every 3 weeks).

As a professional singer, I've been using humidifiers for the past 10 yrs and it has been my mission and challenge to find out what the best humidifier would be. I've usually gone with lower priced models, anywhere from the standard Vick's that you can find at any pharmacy to a Sears model, to many others that I have gone through. All have been problematic in their own ways (expensive to replace filters all the time, time consuming to clean, parts are cheap and don't last, filterless models get moldy...). Even my vocal coach could not recommend any that he knew of that were any better than the rest. After going through 2 more Vick's humidifiers in the last 6 months (the cheaper one being the one that lasted - the supposed 'filterless' $65 one was complete, moldy garbage) in desperation I started doing more and more research and happened upon Air-O-Swiss. Hesistant to take the plunge after all of the years of disappointment & little to no guidance, I decided to do it after noting the terrific warranty this unit carries. I bought the full package complete w/cleaning supplies, replacement filters, extra silver ion stick, etc. (note that the warranty is void if you use anything other than the cleaning solution Air-O-Swiss sells exclusively). I've used it for about 2 months now and can honestly say that it is THE best I have ever seen or experienced, even in a professional vocal studio. It makes absolutely no noise at all, and the mist is fine, cool and full of moisture - and you SEE it, which is also a plus above the other humidifiers that claim 'invisible mist' - right, because they hardly produce any! The unit will shut itself off when the room is at full humidity, then turn back on again when needed. I've noticed none of the white powder 'dust' that some complain about (I fill it with regular Los Angeles tap water), and I have it sitting on a black velvet cloth. It is extremely easy to clean, and I usually do it once every 2 weeks instead of once a week like the other brands - even then, the unit does not look 'scaly' or moldy or have any kind of smell at all (thanks to the ion stick). I've never had my room nor my vocal cords be this hydrated, this quickly - even my skin feels and looks fantastic. The unit looks beautiful and subtle in any room with its black/grey design. Just be sure to have it elevated to at least chest-height so that the mist will disperse properly. Highly recommended!

I had the product about 2 weeks, and decided to clean it, according to the provided maintenance manual. I've noticed that the gold paint on the membrane was in very poor condition and small chips of gold paint were all over. However, the manual says the membrane should be cleaned with the soft provided brush. So I did. That completely destroyed the gold paint layer and the device is not producing vapor any more. The most annoying thing is that the warranty is valid only if the purchased device is registered within 10 days of the purchase, which I had not done (didn't have time to read everything that came with the device). I've just sent email to the support and asked for help with this... We'll see. In the meantime, DO NOT BUY THIS DEVICE UNTIL THE COMPANY CLEARLY STATES THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED. Further, I find annoying that the warranty is invalid without registration. Perhaps we should be buying from a company that has more confidence in their products? Update: 2 weeks later, I'm still waiting for the problem to be resolved. After a lot of explaining (I spent roughly an hour on the phone and sending emails), they told me someone would contact me and tell me how to printout the shipping label (for return). A week has passed and nobody contacted me... While I'm waiting to solve the return, I'd also like to comment on how the device was working, while it was working. The device is fairly quiet itself, but the water is occasionally bubbling, which can be loud. They could have solved this differently to avoid the bubbling. I had no problems with white dust some other reviewers mention, but that might be due to the softness of the tap water I'm using. The vapor does have kind-of metallic/plastic smell, but it's almost undetectable unless you are very close to the vapor, so that didn't bother me too much. The design is quite functional, but I haven't managed to fill the tank without spilling some water around, because the tank is immersed into the base, which always contains some water. Thus, if you take the tank off, the water drips off it. I haven't checked how precise the built-in hygrometer is, but I found the device reliably switching off and on according to the desired humidity setting. So, although I can't comment on the absolute precision of the hygrometer, the relative precision seems to be fine. If the device were actually working, I'd give it 3.5, perhaps 4 stars. But because it is not working, I'd suggest you wait until Air-O-Swiss announces on their website that they have reliably fixed the membrane problem. The returns are just too much hassle. Final update: Around mid-July (a month after I started the painful process of return), I got a phone call from Air-O-Swiss asking me for some number their support sent me by email a couple of weeks back (!?). I didn't understand the point of that phone call, they could have just checked their database/email inbox. A week later I was asked to provide the details about the device (probably for the 10th time). Finally, I got the label and shipped the device back. The pinnacle of the Air-O-Swiss incompetence was the email from July 27th (after they received the device): "We found a discrepancy in the information on file for your defective humidifier. So, that we may send you the correct replacement unit, would you please describe the unit you sent back to us? Or, can you tell us the model number of the humidifier? (example...AOS-7131, AOS-7135, AOS-7145, etc...)" This is simply the most striking example of total incompetence I have ever seen. They have the defective device on their desk, they should have my order in their database, and they are wasting my time asking about the model?? Finally, I got the replacement device on Aug 5th, but haven't yet tested it, as I was on vacation. The whole return process took slightly more than 1.5 months, and probably 10-or-so hours of my time. Their support exhibited total incompetence and disrespect for my time. I just checked the membrane, it seems to be in a much better shape than in the first device.

I've had it for a year and only need it during the winter, so it may have had roughly 6+ months of usage total. I've had no trouble with it so far. The silver antibacterial strip was doing fine until just now when I noticed black fuzz growing in the water and around the ultrasonic vibrator at the bottom (where the mist comes out of). Up until this time, I'd done nothing to the water to prevent it and never descaled it, so I consider to be really good vs other humidifiers I've had.

I purchased the cool mist ultrasonic humidifier because my apartment gets so dry in the winter time. I already tried one of those other humidifiers that works by a fan blowing up against a filter that absorbs water from a tank. Unfortunately that humidifier was more trouble than it was worth; it required constant cleaning, made too much noise, and really didn't humidify the room as well as it could have. I was pleasantly surprised by this specific humidifier! It was silent, sent out a visible fog of water particles, and efficiently went through an entire tank of water. In just one night of usage I was already breathing easier, felt my skin rejuvenated, and slept better. I would recommend this humidifier to anyone.