DREO Solaris 718: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-22

Summary

The DREO Solaris 718, sold as the Tower Heater 718 and covered by the DR-HSH008 manual, is a 29.7-inch, 1,500 W PTC ceramic tower heater whose most common owner complaints are a thermostat that two reviews disagree about, warm air leaving only part of the tall front grille, and heat that feels weak for what it cost. Running it 3 hours a day across 120 heating days works out to about $108 a year on the top setting and $50.40 a year on the lowest one, and there are no filters, oils or cartridges to replace. At $90 or less it is an easy buy for anyone who wants the 120° swing and the five fixed output levels; above $130 you pay for the controls, not for extra heat. [1][3][4]

Common problems and fixes

Thermostat inaccurate and erratic — WIRED called the built-in thermostat inaccurate and erratic and preferred one of the five fixed output levels, while a separate hands-on test found the displayed temperature lined up with a monitor. No calibrated error figure has been published, so accuracy seems to depend on where the unit sits, on drafts and on the room. Workaround: run a fixed heat level instead of ECO until you know how the thermostat reads in your own room. [4][5]
Heat leaves only part of the tall front grille — two owners report that hot air comes out of only part of the 29.7-inch front grille, one in October 2025 and one in December 2025. These are impressions rather than a measured fault, but they matter if you are buying for a full-height column of warm air, because oscillation spreads air sideways and cannot turn the tower into a full-height radiant panel. [1][6]
Stops and restarts in ECO mode — ECO switches the element on and off around the 41–95 °F setpoint instead of holding a steady temperature, and the fan keeps running for about 30 seconds after a power-off. That is the setpoint doing its job, not a failure. Workaround: raise the setpoint a few degrees or switch to a fixed heat level. [2]
P4 and FF shutdowns, and a hot outlet — P4 means the unit was tipped and FF means it overheated; both protections cut the element, and the air outlet itself runs hot even though the case away from it stays approachable to the touch. Workaround: let the unit cool, set it upright on a flat surface with at least 3 ft of clearance in front and furnishings away from the sides and rear, and plug it into a wall outlet rather than a power strip or an extension cable. Shutdowns that repeat in the same position are a fault to report under the 12-month limited warranty. [2][4][7]
E1 and E2 temperature sensor errors — E1 means the sensor is open and E2 means it is short. Unplug the unit and contact DREO with model DR-HSH008, the fault and any photos; do not bypass the protection and do not open the case, because the manual limits internal work to authorised providers. Warranty coverage is 12 months for the original purchaser with proof of purchase, and returns to DREO’s own store are accepted within 30 days of purchase, with the customer paying return shipping for a change of mind. [2][7][13]

Parts and consumables

Remote battery (CR2025 3 V coin cell) — the original handheld remote takes one CR2025 cell, it ships with the remote, and it is replaced only as needed with no manufacturer-specified interval. A Panasonic Energy two-pack of CR2025 cells was $5.99 at Walmart in October 2026. [2][9]
Replacement remote control — DREO’s generic remote for serial fans and heaters was $9.99 plus an $8 accessory shipping surcharge in October 2026, but it showed sold out, its updated version takes AAA cells rather than the CR2025 the manual calls for, and its page does not certify the DR-HSH008. Confirm compatibility with DREO before buying one. [8][2]
Filters, oils and refill cartridges — none are specified as consumables. The only recurring upkeep is checking and cleaning the outside and the inlet at least once during the heating season and before storage, with the unit unplugged and cool. [2]

Yearly running cost

Electricity is the running cost. Using the manufacturer’s own framing as a worked example rather than a local rate, at $0.20 per kWh, 3 heater-on hours a day over 120 heating days on the 1,500 W setting comes to 540 kWh, which is $108 a year; the same pattern on the lowest manual step of 700 W comes to 252 kWh, or $50.40 a year. Fan-only and standby draw are not included, and ECO changes the real total with insulation, weather, setpoint and duty cycle. No published measurement of this heater’s standby draw or of a full winter trial was found, so treat these figures as an example rather than a quote. Apart from electricity and an occasional coin cell, scheduled spending is $0 a year. [2][4][9]

When it is a good buy

Store prices: DREO’s own US store lists the Tower Heater 718 at $129.98 (October 2026), WIRED’s September 2026 buying guide put it at roughly $130 direct from DREO, and DREO’s Solaris Max (2nd Gen.) is $89.99 direct (October 2026). At $90 or less the 718 is an easy buy for anyone who wants the 120° swing and the five fixed output levels; between $90 and $130 it is reasonable if the quiet run and the remote matter more than the money; above $130 you are paying a premium for those controls rather than for extra heat. [1][4][10]

Alternatives:

DREO Solaris Max (2nd Gen.) — $89.99 direct from DREO in October 2026; a 25-inch unit with 70° oscillation, remote, ECO and an advertised 100–270 sq ft coverage. Better when spending about $40 less matters more than the 718’s wider 120° swing and four discrete angle choices. [10]
Honeywell UberHeat 5 Ceramic Heater — $54.99 at Best Buy in October 2026. Better if the goal is mainly inexpensive direct warmth, a small footprint and straightforward controls rather than a tall, quiet, wide-oscillating tower with remote. [12]
DREO Solaris 818 — a different 30-inch tower listed at Target at $109.99 on sale and $129.99 regular in October 2026. Worth comparing if you want a similar tall-tower form factor and the store price undercuts the 718, but its specifications, controls and footprint have to be checked separately. [11]