Haier ESA408J 8000-BTU Room Air Conditioner Energy Star with Remote Review

This product is a piece of garbage that I just wasted over half a day on.Spend a few minutes to read this long review, and save yourself hours and pain.

1.The box appeared to be previously unopened or tampered with, but when I opened it, the bag of screws, etc., was open and parts strewn around the box.The foam insulation for installation, clearly listed on the parts list, was missing.The side wings were already assembled.

2.The air conditioner did not fit well in my window.It seemed to be warped or crooked, so that if I got one side straight, other was not.The screws were too high for the support brackets to reach my window frame.The quick-snap wings wouldn't stay snapped.

3.So I went to buy 2 types of foam insulation.One rigid type to put underneath to balance it, and to tilt it backwards as per the installation instructions.One softer type to fill in around the flimsy gaping wings, and more to replace the missing piece.Spent $20 on the foam.

4.Finally got it installed in the window and turned it on.Using the maximum settings (high fan, cool), it managed to lower the room temperature (according to its own digital thermometer) by a whopping 4 degrees in an hour.A thermometer across the room showed only a 2 degree drop, however.8000 BTU should be plenty for my study.I purchased this to replace a 20-year-old 5000 BTU air conditioner that cooled the room just fine.But after 20 years, a knob is missing, etc., plus I thought I could improve energy efficiency.

5.So I decided to try the Energy Saver mode, which was my main reason for purchasing this unit.It does not work.I could give a long explanation of the ways in which it is misprogrammed, but they are myriad and documented by reviewers at other sites.Amazingly, in this mode, the thermometer showed that the room temperature continued to drop after the unit shut off!By almost 10 degrees!Unfortunately, the functioning thermometer in the room correctly showed that the temperature was rising, and that there was no magic.

A poor soul thinking their understanding was lacking posted this question on Yahoo Answers:

"Please Explain Energy Saving Mode on my Air conditioner (Window Unit)?
We just bought a small window unit for our bedroom and I do not understand the energy saving mode. For instance, if I set it at 77 degrees it will run until it is apprx 75, then the fan will run for a few minutes and it will shut off. The temperature on the AC then continues to show that it is dropping although it is not 72 degrees in the room. It stays there for a long period of time before turning back on. However, if I shut it off completely and then turn it back on it will show that it is 77- 78 degrees and start the process all over again. Please explain this to me. The AC is brand new.... how does energy saver mode work?"

I bet I can guess which unit they purchased.Similar complaints on similar Haier units abound.I think the only "green" thing about this unit is the box.(Well, I guess if it turns itself off and you don't turn it back on because you believe its temperature display, that could save some power.)

6.The unit is LOUD.MUCH LOUDER than my 20-year-old Whirlpool.MUCH!Low produced about as much noise as "MAX COOL" on the old one.High was deafening.Couldn't concentrate, which was the whole point of cooling my study in the first place.Plus it made the cat cry.I guess the "quiet operation" refers to when you turn it off to get some peace.Or when it turns itself off and stays off.

7.At midnight, I gave up and decided to take the new air conditioner out.I'll spend more time returning it to Target tomorrow.

8.My back hurts now.When I took the Haier out of the window, water spilled everywhere.LOTS of water in puddles on our hardwood floor.So I had a 50-lb air conditioner in my hands and was standing on a slippery wet floor.Guess what happened next?And why my arm is bleeding and my back hurts.

9.I got the old Whirlpool out of the closet, and installed it.Not energy star.No remote.No display.But it works.Cool at last.But now I'm too tired to work, and have to take some Advil and go to bed.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Haier ESA408J 8000-BTU Room Air Conditioner Energy Star with Remote

Product Description:
Energy Star qualified window air conditioner with electronic controls and remote. This 8000 BTU unit features eco-friendly R140 refrigerant, programmable timer, 3 cool and 3 fan only settings, and many other features. Recommended to cool areas up to 350-square feet.

Buy cheap Haier ESA408J 8000-BTU Room Air Conditioner Energy Star with Remote now Get 9% OFF