SS08M10%2DKuhl Series 7900 BTU Window Air Conditioner Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Friedrich SS08M10 -- 7900 BTU window air conditioner
This is my second Kuhl. I purchased the original one from M&M Appliances in Washington, DC, but took it back because it was damaged - compressor ripped from the mounts and refrigerant lines bent - and the backup battery was dead on arrival. Second unit seems to be in much better condition. It was not damaged and the backup battery is not dead. Friedrich also mailed me a new backup battery (see their website for the form to fill out for a free battery).
Installation was a bit time consuming and required more tools than you'd expect for a window a/c install. The hardware that comes with the unit is excellent. It is sturdy and well built. Installation is definitely intended to be semi-permanent. I will not be removing this unit every winter like I have with previous window units.
Unit cools very well and is very quiet when compared to bargain brands at many stores. Discharge air temperature with R410a seems to be lower than most previous air conditioners that use R22. Depending on temperature and humidity in the room, the unit will sometimes blow visible fog from the vents.
This air conditioner is very well built. Sound dampening could have been increased - the unit makes a bit more noise than I'd like for the premium price tag. Friedrich should consider insulating the compressor in order to keep noise down. Compressor makes an oscillating sound at a frequency of about 2 - 3 hertz. Fan noise is minimal, which I attribute to the large vent design. The most irritating sound is the water splashing on the condenser fan. This problem could be solved by more sound insulation or by a condensate drain (although I understand that the condensate splashing on the condenser increases efficiency). Still -- VERY QUIET when compared to most alternatives.
All features work well except for the auto fan mode (energy saver), which cycles the fan too frequently to "test the air temperature." I leave it set for continuous mode, which I prefer anyway. I do have a gripe about the remote control - it doesn't sync with the unit's control panel, so if you make a change on the unit and then go to the remote, the remote still has its previous settings. Would be nice if the remote was RF instead of IR so that it didn't have to be pointed at the unit and it could auto-sync whenever settings are changed at the unit.
If you buy one of these, definitely read the instructions. Some parts of the install are not intuitive, and there are many features that you'll want to familiarize yourself with.
Some people have complained that the unit does not display the accurate temperature. This can be adjusted under the *temperature offset (TO)* section of the menu, along with a number of other settings.
I hope to get many years of trouble free use out of this unit.
PROS:
Sleek design with optional front cover colors
7 day scheduler
Fresh air & exhaust air control
Digital display
5 temperature sensors to monitor unit performance and temperature (Supply Temp, Return Temp (room temp), Outside Temp, Evap Coil Temp, Cond Coil Temp)
Remote Control with digital display
Very quiet
Well built
Made in the USA
Good warranty
Excellent air filter
Great customer service
11.7 SEER, great efficiency for a window unit
CONS:
Long install time (2 - 3 hours)
Large overall size
Damaged during shipping, glad I bought from a store instead of online!
Expensive (I hope I end up getting what I paid for)

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