Just ran across a two-page spread in the Sunday paper for the Heat Surge Roll ‘n Glow portable electric fireplace which set off a red flag alert in my blog-addled mind. The company HeatSurge, LLC has a website amishfireplaces.com where you can enter a code to presumably get 2 free heating units during this special offer by purchasing the accompanying Amish-made mantle, you just have to respond within a 1-800-ripmeoff-ish 48 hours.
The headline for the ad reads “Amish man’s new miracle idea helps home heat bills hit rock bottom” which would indicate that an Amish man (traditional Amish sects disavow the use of electricity, phones and mechanized stuff) invented this product. The small print states that the heating technology itself was actually invented by an “engineering genius” in China. The Amish are making the handcrafted wooden mantle. Some consumers have taken issue with the company’s claims, with the most comprehensive evaluation appearing on Yahoo! Answers here.
The other claim in the ads is that the unit consumes less electricity than an electric coffee-maker (I believe that is if they are on for the same amount of time) while producing over 5000 BTU’s of heat and that you can save amazing amounts of cash on your home heating bill by moving the unit from room to room. (The Paul Harvey endorsed, EdenPure, makes similar claims). In both cases, though, turning the heat down in the rooms you’re not currently in, is not normal home owner behavior. ConsumerReports.org has a post on space heaters and lower heating bills. The Heat Surge units do appear to create a nice fireplace-like appearance, don’t require a chimney or flue, and can be rolled around the home. Checkout ConsumerSearch.com or pick-up the October Consumer Reports for a closer look at space heater ratings.
A better way to conserve heat might be to add some insulation to your home and get programmable thermostats that can regulate your home heating by zone and time to enable you to turn the heat down when you’re not home or in a particular room. Do your research before jumping to throw money at a ‘miracle’ offer that appears to be too good to be true. Also consider safety issues concerning space heaters. Portable space heaters cause thousands of home fires each year.
Anyone who has purchased one of these units or done additional research on the Heat Surge product, please chime in.
Related: Space Heater Alternatives to Heat Surge and Heat Surge Update
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My husband purchased on of these with out telling me after I did research I called the next day and cancelled the order. I then received a phone call from customer service telling me that they would need to talk to my husband since it was in his name.
I told them he was out of town for 10 days, and could not call them. They were to bad we can’t discuss this with you it is are policy.
I then called my credit card company, and they said since the card is in both names I should wait for the process to go through, and then call them back and they would take care of it for me.
What a joke this company is. Don’t buy read all the reviews as I did.
Customer service guy was very rude…
ur amish fireplace still heats but the flame picture went out. How can I fix this? Thanks!
Our neighbor who raises pigs was using a spot in our barn for a sow and piglets. He was using one of these units to keep the pigs warm this past winter. He left the unit in our barn after the pigs were sold and thank goodness he did. We are behind on our propane bill from LAST winter and the company has put a lock on our tank. When it got cold my husband cleaned up the unit and brought in into our house to use for heat until we can get the propane bill caught up. We’ve been using it for several weeks now and we love it. We have an old two story farm house (approx. 1800 square feet) and one unit keeps the entire downstairs toasty warm. We are considering getting another unit for the upstairs and using them to heat as an alternative to propane. I didn’t realize how expensive they are but when we get some extra money we will get another one. It’s been a godsend and we are very happy with it. This unit sat in a barn for months without any protection from the elements and it works fine. It’s very quiet AND attractive. We love it.
Regards.
I bought one of these fireplace/heaters 2 years ago and absolutely love it. It puts out warm/cozy heat and has worked perfectly for 2 years.
My Mother purchased the Amish Fireplace last year. She absolutely loves it she has a double wide mobile home this fireplace heated all but back bedroom. Toasty Warm. And she loves a very warm house.
Since then she has purchased another for her bedroom. Which she doesnt use often but it is their for exstremly cold winter days.
I now have purchased one. It was a scratch and dent offer so purchase price was cut in half. I LOVE IT. And have already cut my heating cost in half. I dont know how anyone can say these dont work.
I just received my heatsurge, plugged it in, set it on low and the temperature raised by 4 degrees 67 to 71 in 1 & 1/2 hours. I have a LARGE living room that goes into a kitchen and a dining room and I am surprised at how comfortable all these areas became. I didnt need to sit wrapped up with a blanket. I had ordered the heatsurge and then after ordering read reviews. WOW! Those were some mixed reveiws which made me regret ordering it. I have no regrets as of yet. I’ll review again after I receive my first electric bill.
need a fuse link for a model
ADL-2000M-X 2007.11 who can i contact for this part. This unit belongs to my elderly mother and fother. Please help.
thanks
fred
I purchased the heatsurge for a heating source in my small 15 x 15 cottage in Maine. The only heat I get from that thing is if I sit directly in front of it. I have it on continuously for the past week and still can’t get warm. I’m sending it back today. What a ripoff.
Lmao, Is this a joke? The commercial is retarted, and so is the product. What kind of dumbasses do you guys have to be to buy this? Put some clothes on, Or buy an actual fireplace.
I bought two and used one in my sewing room all last winter. It is a large room–converted double garage. It stayed good and warm last year but now the remote won’t turn it up to high so it is not blowing the heat.
The claims on this site alone are such a contrast that it appears that SOMEONE is lying. Either the thing warms the room – or it DOESN’T. There is no inbetween on this product. I wouldn’t put it passed the Heat Surge’s competitor to be posting some of the bad comments – and Heat Surge to be posting the good ones. Nothing here that’s helpful to a consumer.
I love mine! We bought 2. 1 for our house and 1 for parents trailer. Warms our LR and Dining area (approx. 20 x 40) several degrees in no time and can distribute through home by turning on heating system fan. Heats the whole trailer several degrees also in no time. It’s beatiful. We use as a back up to take the chill off when we’re home. Tested how much elec. it really uses and it was approx. 1 KWH, so cost depends on your electric co. charge per KWH. Also how well your home is insulated. obviously if it’s 30 deg. outside and your home is poorly insulated, it’s not going to heat your whole home to a comfortable temp. Common sense pervails.
For Robert Englund with the lights out, pull off bottom metal plate (held by magnets). check to make sure the bulbs are tight, or they may be blown. You can replace them with a chandelier bulb, small socket, not over 40 watts.
Just got mine, so efficacy I cannot comment on just yet; however, I love it and the fact you can run it for just the fireplace look with no heat.
For the Jeff, posting on 10/20, if you are going to insult peoples’ intelligence, perhaps you should then learn how to spell ‘retarded’ prior to posting … just a thought.
For Wanda, posting 10/22, that which looks like venting on the front right pulls down and your manual contols/buttons are behind there with no remote needed.
I purchased one of these a year ago,it worked well for that year,we used it alot but the heating element quit.Now I’m trying to find a new heating element. No savings here,pretty expensive unit,could have a half tank of propane instead.Typical Chinese junk.
I agree with voodooyoudo!!! Who ever it was that posted this page was NOT Legit!! Sounded like someone was blow smoke!! Maybe they should try it before complaining! OH and Omish need to make an income also!! Times are hard for every one! This post was just mean! Try it before you complain!
i work for the company and this is not something they are trying to rip anyone off or even lie about them being made by amish craftsmen bc the mantles actually are. the heaters do work good but can be a little costly to run for long periods, and purchase all together. and as far as other space heaters and infrared heaters go this is prob a better investment just bc of the amount of use you would actually get out of this unit. and if u really want a heat surge then obviously there are cheaper ways to get them online, i.e. ebay/craigslist with free shipping, remotes and longer warranties…but either way just my opinion from someone inside who hears ppl calling our reps all day thinking they are actually 100% free
We purchased two Heat Surge units, and one arrived inoperatable. It was returned for repair, but went down after the warranty expired. The company does not repair units out of warranty, but advised “any local electric fireplace dealer can make repairs.” Guess what? None do! So, we are stuck with an unrepairable — and very expensive — door stop. FTC complaint being filed.
This is ridiculous. The commercial says it doesn’t raise your electricity bill, yet it will cost only 9 cents an hour. That adds up to over 60 dollars a month. This must be some kind of joke.
I purchased one of these heaters over a year ago (never took out of the box) and then gave it to my son for his new house. He used it for one night and then it would not heat. The fan, lights, etc.,all work. Today we found out the the heat element has a defect. I called customer service and they told me that the parts were made in another country (China), and to take it to a small appliance repair shop to be fixed, since the warranty was expired. Does anyone out there know where I can get a replacement heat element for this heater? Thanks much.
I do not own one of these. But from their marketing practices it seems shady to say the least. As far to the reducing power bill part of it. I have a bit of a theory of why this unit can claim this. We all know that a heating element type system is very inefficient. But if you buy the heat surge and use it, and turn your thermostat down and actually “roll” the unit to what room you are in. I can see this helping your power bill but any spaceheater could provide this.
I’m going to order one to test in our labs and will post a more conclusive review after testing I will also test the money back part of their claim as well.
On and additional note, my company has developed a system that uses hydrogen created on demand to heat water just as a large boiler unit works. But we have it a in spaceheater size. We are going through the UL and CE red tape now hopeful to launch by jan 1 2010 in UK first. But it will draw 700 watts and heat 1600 sq ft. Price: TBA but less than $600.
I HAVE ALREADY SEEN THESE UNITS IN ACTION IN TWO HUGE HOMES AND 50 CENT PER MONTH EXTRA ON YOUR ELECTRIC IS CORRECT. ONE LADY I KNOW HAS 2 IN HER HUGE FARM HOME AND THEY ARE SO WARM AND SHE SHOWED ME HER ELECTRIC BILLS AND THEY WERE THE SAME AS HER SUMMER BILLS AND SHE HAS HAD THEM FOR 3 YEARS NOW AND WOULD NEVER PART FROM THEM. I AM GOING TO BUY 1, MY SON IS BUYING ONE, AND A FRIEND IS GOING TO BUY 2. I DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU ALL COME OFF SAYING THE THINGS YOU SAY BECAUSE THIS COMPANY STANDS BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. YOU LIKE TO PAY HIGH ELECTRIC BILLS….I DON’T.
Couple of replies.
Lin -
Yeah really, someone is going to go to the work of showing you their electric bills to convince you its a good deal. First of all, it is normal that electrical bills are higher in the summer. All AC units use electricity and most heating units use natural gas. My winter bill for electricity is 20% of my peak summer bill.
Others -
Look you already have a rep from a working for this company. It easy to believe the company is stacking the deck with false positive reviews.
Finally -
Wow, lots of trailers mentions – makes me wonder. “There’s a sucker born every minute and “many of Dem Got Trailers.”" How many of you bought the fake safe with rolls of pennies and nickels too.
To the genius who mentioned that this item carries the “Good Housekeeping Seal.”
You like most consumers don’t seem to realize that Good Housekeeping will take money to slap their seal on a item. It is the same with JD Power and associates and numerous other “seals of approval.” In fact, JD Powers whole business is to rate and charge for the right to be “JD Power approved.”
Talk about unethical – one hand promotes and the other collects the cash.
I bought one of the units last year. I did not get to use it much then, but I have been using it this year to heat up the room for my newborn. It works wonders. It heats up quickly and makes the room cozy for nursing and changing the baby.
As for the electricity, I have not checked on it, but I feel that the value of the safety and the quick warmth for my purposes make the unit well worth it.
Was reading this ad because I was considering buy one of these for my daughter for Christmas, she has a rather large home and the electric bills are really high in the winter. But what struck me the most about this site was the complete “ignorance and rudeness” of people who think someone would respect their opinion after reading their post. Examples: Calling people “retarted” (which is actually spelled “retarded” because of their opinions. And the worse one that stated “Wow, lots of trailers mentions – makes me wonder. “There’s a sucker born every minute and “many of Dem Got Trailers.”” How many of you bought the fake safe with rolls of pennies and nickels too.” Suckers are not people who chose trailers to live in, but those who chose to made fun of “dem” because of their living accomodations are definitely “ignorant fools”. Having the funds to live in a large site built home does not make one more intelligent than other people. This site did not help me much in my decision on buy the heater, but it did disappoint me in the rudeness that is so sadly common in this country today.
Really people??? Have you seen the commercial? There’s an Amish man talking about the mantle and how it was built so I figured they just meant the mantle was built by the Amish…no big deal. Then, the Amish man explains they are built and sent right from their towns……..WHAT?! Amish people don’t use electricity…why would they invent it. How ignorant can you be to buy a product from a company who is lying to you from the very beginning?? Why would you buy from an infomercial and especially one like that. Infomercials NEVER have high quality products. Why not spend some money on a product that is high quality, will ALWAYS work or can always be fixed locally, and from a company who can provide you with a decent commercial. This product, this commercial, and a lot of these reviewers are bullshit.
You people are just plain idiots. Please try to use your brain. I’m sure about 90% of these comments are fake.
To Fred that posted on 10/7….so people aren’t rude in any other country??? This is America. Take it or LEAVE.
I thought the Amish refused to be photographed. I remember this when the little Amish girls were murdered. This appears to be a scam.
WHO CARES who makes it? It works incredibly well and it gives off a nice ambiance. It is quiet and does a wonderful job of warming and saving you money. That is all that matters. Who Cares about where it comes from!?!?!
As an electrician and trained electronic technician, I have to make a comment here. I don’t own one of these units but I can extrapolate some things. First of all, 1500 watts of dissipated heat is 1500 watts of dissipated heat, period. I have a small Pelonis space heater in my room because I rent three rooms in a basement here in Utah. It would get cold without a space heater. Guess what, my little $40.00 space heater dissipates 1500 watts on high power, just like this one does. You are paying for the Amish cabinet, which I’m sure is a fine piece of wood. This thing might blow the air out with a higher volume fan but my little space heater would heat up an enclosed room just as fast and as well. As far as one comment made above about it costing $60.00 per month, it does have a thermostat on it so it would likely not run full time unless a person used it in a particularly cold and drafty house with poor insulation. So it probably wouldn’t cost $60.00 per month to run but definitely will raise your electric bill. Because when it is actually heating on high heat it’s like having fifteen 100 watt light bulbs going at the same time.
I purhased one of the heaters and got to use it for one winter now it no longer throws any heat. All the respone I get from cs is I didn’t buy the extened warenty and take it to a eletrican there is no one in the whole area that would even look at the thing and you can not purchase any parts for it.
Of course it’s a scam. It’s a cheapo space heater with a varnished plank on top, for which these crooks charge three hundred bucks – that’s it. They’re using the same techniques as other scam infomercials – putting people on camera to provide a “personal testimonial” – this way the company can’t be sued for lying, which is what they’re doing. “Entire communities of Amish craftsmen are straining to keep up with the demand.” What a crock. Anyone else recognize the sleazebag from the Extenze “male enhancement” infomercial scam hosting this one?
I BUY HEATER FOR SPACE STATION
IT KEEP ME AND COMRADES WARM
VERY COLD IN SPACE
I bought 2 of these heaters and we love them. I turned down my gas heater to 65. We keep the Surge heater on low and my electric bill DID NOT rise in this the 2nd winter…Well my bill did rise but only because the electric in our area went up but NOT because of the heaters. 1 heats my 4 bedroom 2 bath home! I love the idea that we can move it around. We got 1 for the den which has a private entrance. So I know it will heat up the place wonderfully.
The ads all say the MANTELS are made by the amish NOT the heaters! I agree the mantels are not the Amish quality I expected but the heaters are wonderful.
…Oh, I forget…SEND MORE VODKA!!!
Even though it went against every ounce of common sense and better sense of judgment, I ended up ordering one of these heaters for my boyfriend for his birthday. It’s still in the box. I was raised around Amish Country in Lancaster County. Unless the Amish have tossed out their entire code of ethics, I can’t imagine how and where this partnership with the company that’s producing the heaters developed. Over a beer at the local pub? Also, who is claiming the profit, as the Amish don’t file taxes. Hmmmmm. Nevertheless, I think it’s a part of human nature that when you want something bad enough, you’ll allow yourself the luxury of being duped—at least once in your life. Hope it works! And thanks in advance, Mr. Stoltzfus! I know how difficult it was for you and your crew to get those mantles done in the winter rush, as advertised in a March 2008 National Geographic!
THE LIGHT NO LONGER WORKS. HOW CAN I GET THE
MECHANISM OUT OF THE WOODEN CABINET TO SEE IF I CAN REPAIR IT?
ALSO: IS THERE A WAY TO HAVE THE HEAT COME STRAIGHT OUT RATHER THAN SO MUCH OVERHEAD?
Several points about this product.
Infomercial is very misleading. Amish quality… Reduce heating bills. Super miracle.
The heater itself is probably just fine. The question becomes, are you willing to pay $250 for decoration of a $50 heater.
Remember folks, nothing breaks physics here. Conservation of energy means “enery in = energy out” Give 1500W, get 1500W (assuming perfect efficiency)
Only an electronic timer / thermostat can save power. It can turn off during work days / 9-5, lower the temp from 1am – 7am…
Bottom line, $300 Good-looking Heater that you’re not likely to be able to service after the warranty period of 1 year.
You decide!
@YURI – best comment of thread, almost a haiku.
Anyone remember the phrase “You get what you pay for” relating back to when quality actually meant something??? Well folks those days have been gone for a long,long,time. The only words of wisdom I can give you is “Don’t buy anything until you can hold it in your hand” Infomercials became popular because people like Heat Surge and Eztenze realized that there are a lot of really stupid people out there looking for a “magic pill” (or in this case, a magic heater) to solve all their troubles if they throw money at it. More advice,,go to Home Depot and buy your heater. When and if it stops working, they’ll fix it.
Comrade Yuri, be patient. The VODKA is on the way. Will be on next Soyuz flight.
The WORST thing about this product and the ads and the infomercials IS the “Amish” part. I have an elderly neighbor who has one of these and says, “I can’t believe I bought one of these things” every time I go to his house. The cabinet is ‘OK’ but it’s certainly not hand-made like the infomercial implies by showing people using hand tools.
It’s a cheap heater with an over-priced wooden cabinet. It’s a 1500 watt electric heater with a fan and a lighted picture of a fire. You can buy the same thing at Home Depot, Lowes or Wal-Mart. There’s NOTHING MIRIACLE about it. Maybe they’ll start selling Miracle light bulbs or Miracle toasters and say they’re “Amish Built” and some people would wait on hold to buy them too.
I just saw the infomercial on The Travel Channel and paid attention with a critical eye. I don’t know who the “Amish” people are who appear in that commercial, but they are ALL FAKING that they are working on those cabinets. There are NO wood shavings coming off the planes and chisels and I think I saw one woman pushing a box plane BACKWARDS. Also, there are no unfinished cabinets and none that are partially assembled.
If they showed an actual manufacturing location that employed Amish or even Americans, then I might see a reason for SOME people to buy one. It just seems like they’ve found some way to say, “Amish Built Cabinets” that’s just legal enough so they don’t get in trouble. I wonder what I would have to do to become “Amish” enough to put that label on things I build.
But the bottom line is that they are sucking in people by using the “Amish” name. I wonder if they picked “Amish” because the Amish are passive and wouldn’t complain about their name being used for this.
To KENNETH BEAUCHAMP -
Try turning off the caps lock – it’s a computer, not a typewritter.
Next, go to Google.com and search and read through the pages of this thread.
Fred –
You are ignorant. 1500 watts of heat is 1500 watts of heat.
As for the trailer comment it was a joke! But truth be it, if you buy a trailer, the value goes down when you drive if off the lot. Let’s be realistic – what home do you know of that goes down in value over time and becomes worthless. Only two, a home in Detroit or a trailer.
i bought one it takes forever to heat and the flame is out
GOT ME ONE IN MY TRAILER. IT GOT SOO MUCH HEAT THAT I CAN COOK ME CUP OF SOUP ON IT. MY COUSIN JETHRO HAD ONE THAT WAS BAD. HE NEAR FROZE TO DEATH CUZ THEY TURNDOFF THE PROPANE FOR NOT PAYING THE BILL.
You are right, I’m an idiot. good things you hep’ me figure it out.