Scam Tip – Taking the chill off the cryocooler

Taking the chill off the cryocooler

Have you been receiving a ton of emails about this amazing new device that can cool you off, purify the air, and use less energy while doing it? I’m sure getting them. So when it came time to write this month’s scam tip, I turned to all those emails to look into this supposedly incredible device. Yes, I’m taking the chill off of the cryocooler emails. And this is one site where you won’t find a link to buy one.

What is a cryocooler?

According to the Cryogenic Society of America, the term cryocooler “comes from the phrase ‘cryogenic cooler,’ and is a device for providing active cooling of something down to cryogenic temperatures.” Just in case you don’t know, cryogenic temperatures are typically temperatures below 150 degrees Celsius (-238 degrees Fahrenheit). Not cold enough to freeze steel, but it would sure feel like it.

But the emails flying about aren’t referring to cryogenics, but to “a fully portable, lightweight air conditioner that can cool down any room in 5 minutes.” That’s quite a claim for a portable device that sells for less than $200. 

Red flags on the marketing hype

Red flag #1: I did an Internet search for the phrase, “Originating in Silicon Valley, the startup called…”, and discovered that the company behind this device is BluePrint, or BreezeMax, or Ilok, or Polar, or some other random name. 

Red flag #2: Supposedly, the inventors of this device (see Red Flag #1) figured out a way to cool air quickly at a fraction of the cost of traditional air conditioning with a device a person can carry in one hand. These portable air conditioners also humidify and purify the air. File my skepticism under the heading of, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” 

Red flag #3: The reviews are sprinkled with techno-whiz-bang jargon intended to wow the reader. Until I read through those reviews, which were mostly copied and pasted from a marketing brochure, I’d never heard terms like micro-freezing or hydro-chilling air. Translation? The device sucks air in one end, adds a little humidity, and blows it out the other. 

Red flag #4: Are the review unbiased? The device receives overwhelming positive reviews from ‘review’ websites. These sites all use affiliate links, which means each time someone makes a purchase, they get paid. Bottom line? They’re not about to post a critical review. The customers at a reputable source such as Amazon, however, aren’t as generous. They take the chill off the cryocooler and rate these portable air conditioners as mediocre.

Scam or for real?

Whether a personal air conditioner will meet your needs depends on what you want it to do. If you actually need to cool a room larger than a closet, don’t bother. If you just want the equivalent of a small fan that blows cool air, this might work…maybe. 

If you’re still thinking about buying one of these devices, do yourself a favor and shop at a reputable retailer such as Amazon or Walmart. Don’t bother with the 50% off specials on the review sites because you’ll still pay more than you would some place where you could return it if you don’t like it.

While you’re here, be sure to check out last months’ scam tip, Four tips to survive solar contractors sales tactics.