Toasty Tootsies & Cool Crevices... (DeLonghi HTE332)

Name: Nar2

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Product:	DeLonghi HTE332
Date:	25/07/07 (154 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Compact and does what it says, average priced. Good all round features; cool fan delivers cold air!

Disadvantages: Slightly noisy, slightly expensive, slight cheap controls.

Fan heaters have always had a tendency to dry out my throat, partially because the heat they give out usually dries general air out too, having been impressed with our Delonghi convector heater however, it made sense to consider a fan heater at some point since we didn’t have one and this seemed to be a back up plan from the recommendation from a friend. Although fan heaters are notoriously expensive to run, they are cheap to run if used as a cool fan instead and whereas some fan heaters from years gone by don’t have a cool fan option, this was one of the options I was looking for. As it so happens this year with Scotland getting the best of the warm, sunny weather and not being able to open my windows for fear of flying ants coming in to breed on my windows, I’ve had this Delonghi fan out to supply cool air into my bedroom.


** Delonghi Fan Heater HTE 330/333 **


Delonghi as a company have been making heaters for almost 30 years. Out of their fan heater ranges, there is a lot to consider from six types of oscillating fans, to 6 models in their upright range, and 3 flat types. The Delonghi HTE 332/3 flat model was the one on offer which I have purchased at a price of £21-99. Argos currently have this model on sale at £19-95 (cat no 4159074).


** Nar’s Quick Skip Review Spec **

• Choice of 1.5kw (cold air), 2kw and 3kw settings – all through the rotary dial.
• Thermostat control – cuts out if left on for a longer time.
• Frost Protection – supplies minimal heat.
• Overheat safety cut out
• Portable and light weight: (H)13.5cm (W)26.7cm (D)25.7cm: beige and grey colouring; offensive and easy to keep clean.
• 2 metre power cord length.


** Controls **


This portable heater has two controls. The first dial for example sets up the ambient temperature whilst the back control dial functions the heat fan or cool air fan setting. There are possible selections between 1 to 6 but anything after selection 4 starts to bring through heat almost immediately. Similarly the fan heater selection dial only lists "1," "2," and a symbol of a fan blade to indicate fan only whenever cool air is needed, handy I suppose for Summer seasons and the like. The 1st setting imparts the 2kw heat level, whereas setting 2 imparts the full amount of heat available; 3kw.

Being cheap to buy there is no actual indicator on this heater to show that it's on other than audibly whenever it's turned on, the fan starts to whirr. Whilst this is a slight disappointment, on the main fascia of the machine there is a half diameter "curve" which acts as a guideline marker to select the dials to go on and off. At first I didn't think anything was happening when I turned one of the dials on to activate the heater but it pays to look closely!


** Using The Delonghi **


This is a super little fan heater. Compared to the Woolworths heater which I had loaned before purchasing my own, this unit is more compact, more powerful and less bulky to trip over. The long power cord means that the heater can be put into a more discreet place over time, whilst the heat settings can provide a good roasting.

I have been more impressed with the Antifreeze/Frost protection device because when I have left the room for more than an hour and put this selection on, the Delonghi maintains a minimum level of heat which cuts maximum energy spending. This model can also regulate the level of heat once the room has reached whichever heat temperature you like, without burning a hole in your electricity bill! And when my quarterly bill arrived, the bill showed that I had incurred an extra £15 which for some may well be expensive, but my quarterly 3 month bill in my opinion isn’t so bad for paying this extra with the use of this fan heater.

The safety cut out feature is a good additional selling point. Like my other Delonghi heater, which rings out if it falls over, this heater will cut out automatically if the front vent of the heater is covered over. The model will switch off as well if it over heats, which if it does must be unplugged and allow to "rest" before plugging back in again. According to the manual the heater will switch on after a couple of minutes rest. Like all fan heaters on the market, the front where the heat spills out, should never be covered.

The cool air facility actually pumps out cold air! When changing from heat to cool air, the fan doesn't pump out half-baked cool air; it actually emits cold air as opposed to warmish cold air which on other heaters feel as if it will never get cold.

Storing the heater away is child's play. Although there is no cord wrap located at the bottom of the heater, the rubber cord can be swung around the main body of the heater and slides well under any small low surface. I've kept the box just to make sure the main body of the Delonghi doesn't come into contact with anything, or if anything should go wrong with it before the year is out to cover the 1 year guarantee.

The heat levels are fantastic. I do find though that the first setting allows more uniform heat over a long period of time. The second setting really roasts my feet off but can become too stuffy over long periods. It's good to know however that this model can give out so much heat though.


** Any Downsides? **


There are a few downsides to this unit.

Firstly, it's a fan so my throat is automatically going to dry out, isn't it? Well, not if you put a glass tumbler of water in the room with you! Funny as it may seem, my dad advised me to do this and I can see why; with water being air borne when dry heat is applied to any room, it levels out the breathable air in the room. I'm no scientist at the end of the day, and if it levels out the humidity in the room, then I'm first in line to try anything other than a sore throat. Fan heaters are notorious for drying out room air, so try this if you find you get a sore throat or cough if you have a fan heater, not just this model.

The noise on the highest setting of the Delonghi has proved to be noisy. But when you're typing reviews and doing general work around the fan, the noise can be forgotten. Again compared to the Woolworths version which is less powered, the Delonghi is a smidge noisier, sounding like a fast table fan rather than actual whine.


** Dust **


Over the years I have used fan heaters on occasion, particularly when central heating systems have gone up the spout; halls of residences seem to spell memorable uses, and it is the question of dust which can prevent an actual fan from working properly. The problem is, I have never come across any manufacturer which has an optional dust cover to gain access to the main top fan which cools the motor whilst it is pumping out heat at the front. The top fan over the years and certainly over the time of being used, catches dirt and looks quite unhealthy, yet no manufacturer, even Delonghi manages to include a dirt fan cover where the user can clean out the dirt which accumulates on the fan. This model doesn't have this feature, but in its defence the top fan has an enclosed wall which should minimise dust where the fan blades turn.


** The Manual **


The manual is a simple blue and white booklet which has been written in 15 other languages, the first being English. The manual points out, all the features and controls on the machine in a single drawn photograph of the model and there is a helpful "Warnings," section which, amidst all of the warnings listed, informs the user that this fan cannot be wall mounted or used around laundry.


** Conclusion **


For instant heat I'm generally impressed with this fan heater, even though I am not a great consumer when it comes to using these types of heaters whilst cool fresh air is also obtainable. I prefer convection at the end of the day, but for instant measures where nothing was available the Delonghi delivers yet again! The only problem is that my parents have taken a like to it, and now settles with them whenever they need instant warmth. The trick however is to keep it at setting 1 for less cost to electricity bills. Thank you for reading. ©Nar2 2007.

www.delonghi.co.uk

Summary: A good fan heater with good power and cold air option.