Venta LW44 Air Humidifier and Purifier All-in-one
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Venta LW44 Air Humidifier and Purifier All-in-one
Customer Review: Bad smoker, bad...but hear me out...
Summary: 4 Stars
Even though I have an LW14, the smallest of the three units offered by Venta, I thought I would post my comments here since it seems to be the most read section of the reviews.
I'd like to start out by stating that I am a smoker. Yes, I know, I'm a bad man, but let's skate on past that for the moment so you'll understand just why I think the Venta is such a great product. I live in Colorado where the humidity can get as low as 5% on some days. I keep my bedroom door closed year round to prevent my cats from overwhelming me while I sleep, read or watch television and just generally trashing my room with bits of fur and whatnot. Keeping the window cracked for ventilation in the winter keeps my room well below gas chamber thresholds while I smoke but also reduces the humidity to that of the outside air. I also have electric baseboard heat which further reduces the humidity in my room. While I have a large Hunter humidifier/air purifier that sits next to my wood stove for the rest of the house it's affects obviously can't be felt in my bedroom.
I tried the Sharper Image Ionic Breeze to purify the air in my bedroom but the cigarette smoke overwhelmed it and I had to clean it frequently, otherwise I'd have to endure the "short circuit" sound it puts out when the plates would get dirty. I've also read negative reports about breathing the high levels of ionized air put out by the unit.
Having said all of that, I have to say that the Venta has exceeded my expectations. Yes, the fan is a little loud on the LW14 but I bought this one used and a new fan may be quieter. I've also bought an LW24 for my girlfriend and it's 3 setting fan is indeed whisper quiet on the lowest setting. My bedroom now smells and feels fresh and clean and I feel that I'm eliminating the smell of tobacco in my room almost completely. While tobacco may be my vice that doesn't mean I care for it's affects on the walls of the room or the smell of stale tobacco, but no one's come up with a nicotine delivery system that doesn't leave those deposits behind, yet, so...
To all those that complain about the price let me say that you're buying a unit that has a 10 YEAR WARRANTY! How people expect the company to support such a warranty with a $50 product and still show a profit is beyond me. Show me another company that provides such a warranty, because I'm not aware of one. I agree with the comments that state that the unit as constructed could go for $50 or so at a Big Box store, but then it would have a 90 day warranty. I know as Americans we've been trained to believe that planned obsolescence is good, but I don't buy it...which is why I drive a Volvo...8) From all accounts, including my own experiences with Venta customer service, they're exceedingly liberal about supplying replacement parts. Contrast that against a company like Black & Decker where getting replacement parts under warranty just about takes an act of Congress.
Could the plastic housings be more robust? Certainly, and I do agree that it should be because they appear to be a bit thin and delicate. Treat the unit gently and you won't have a problem. But again, Venta customer service will take care of you if approached correctly. Get shrill and demanding and they'll most likely give you a hard time in return. Be reasonable and calm and they'll take care of you. American buyers expect their things to be as robust as a Timex watch, which takes a lickin' and keep on tickin', while German buyers appear to have a different sensibility about such things. Different strokes and all of that...
To those who complain about the looks of the unit I have to point out that it's a an air purifier/humidifier, not a merry go round. If you want something flashy, buy it, but expect to replace it on a regular basis. Form follows function...or should...and this unit meets that model. As consumers we're being led by the nose by American manufacturers to believe that flash over substance is what we should buy. I believe we should think for ourselves and be smart consumers, not lemmings.
To those that prefer 70% humidity I suggest that they live in a sauna...or the Amazon. Sweating walls and windows create the perfect breeding ground for mold, which has it's own health downside. 40 to 45% humidity is perfectly acceptable from a health and comfort perspective, given where I live.
In summation, I would absolutely recommend this unit to others. The initial purchase price can be a bit daunting but shop around a bit and you'll find a more reasonable purchase price than the MSRP.
Customer Review: Be careful not to over-humidify
Summary: 4 Stars
I have two of these humidifiers running in my home all winter. Been using them for 4 years now, with regular maintenance. As others have written, they are wonderful for taking dust, dander, and mold spores out of the air.
I just want to warn people against over-using them. You might think you can run a Venta all the time to filter your indoor air. But it does not self-regulate the amount of moisture it puts into the air. You should not try to use a Venta as an air purifier in an already humid environment, such as a summer New England day. If you do, you risk promoting mold and dust mite growth.
Last year we got some cheap wall clocks with little hygrometers in them, from Ikea. Now we monitor the indoor humidity and try to keep it at 50%. We just turn off the Ventas when the weather gets warm and humid.
Customer Review: Best Humidifier I Have Owned - Still Cranking Along After 4 Years
Summary: 5 Stars
I have owned about 4 or 5 humidifiers in my lifetime and Venta is by far the best one ever. I have had this one now for 4 years and am fully satisfied. Venta is by no means perfect. One big issue with humidifiers is keeping them clean. Fact is, nobody wants to clean a humidifier regularly. In our busy lives, we focus on other things and we usually don't want to clean a humidifier until we have no choice.
This model consistently keeps the humidity in my place between 35 - 45% which is ideal for me. It will not boost the humidity in high ranges > 60% like steam model humidifiers since it uses water evaporation. It works best if you're in a super dry room and then turn it on. For example, if your humidity is at 10%, it will quickly raise it to 35-40%. You would not be able to raise your humidity from 40% to 60% with this type of humidifier. This is a major plus because the water evaporates at a rate that compensates for the dryness level in the room and you will not end up with sweating walls and windows as with steam humidifiers.
In addition to humidifying your room, the Venta removes dust particles from the air and makes my breathing better. I personally find the unit quiet even on the high fan setting. You can use the Venta even in damp months of the year to clean the air and it won't over humidify the space. It's amazing how much dirt and dust it captures in the water reservoir.
Cleaning is not as easy as the manufacturer indicates. Point blank: when this thing gets super dirty, use a small utility plastic bristle brush, rubber gloves, and a strong cleaning solution such as bleach, ammonia, etc. Do this in your shower or bath tub. Simply using the manufacturer's cleaning solution in no way cleans all the areas that can gather sludge: the fan, case vents, motor, etc.
When the unit gets dirty, it may start to make squeaky sounds like a squeaky wheel. This has only happened to me when it gets super dirty. After a cleaning, the sound goes away.
Cost. This thing is super super expensive for what you get. I'm still in disbelief that it cost me $400. The engineering concept is pretty brilliant, so I expect you're paying for a patent. I would guess this thing could sell at $50 and Venta would still make a profit. It consists of a tank with air vents, a fan, and two cylindrical discs. The unit is almost entire plastic. Some body is making a fortune off these things.
Customer Review: Best Humidifier of All
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a pharmacist and have tried a great number of humidifiers available through the various retail Rx chains that I have worked for over the past 25 years. The "drug store" humidifiers are generally disposable. They either break down after a season or two or the filters and or other parts are nearly impossible to purchase a year or two later. The Venta is different. Not only is it quiet, efficient, and easy to maintain, the Venta company backs up its product better than any other company. After 4 years of steady use the motor on our unit failed. I called Venta, gave them the necessary purchase date/serial number info and I had a new motor in 3 days. It is so simply designed that anyone can take it apart for thorough cleaning and or replacement of parts. Thanks Venta. Your product is Tops!Customer Review: Best Humidifier, hands down!
Summary: 5 Stars
Like one of the other reviewers, I also reside in a Manhattan apartment. In the winter it becomes absurdly dry. I have tried a variety of humidifiers over the years, and the Venta LW44 is the first I've found that really does the trick. It is pricey, but worth every penny, especially given the 10 year warranty. One word of advice- be sure to purchase a model large enough for your apartment size, and take into account that the recommendations of the manufacturer are based on eight foot ceilings. My ceilings being 14 feet, I had to go up a size from the one I first purchased in order to see amazing results from this product.