So I buy tons of ice when party's happen. Around every month we have a get together, 15 people or so. I buy 25 dollars worth of ice. They brings tons of beer have to keep cool for days past the event. So I spend another 25 every 3 days os so to keep drinks until finally done. That's after we fill up the fridges. So I wa spending 75 to 100 on ice. This was 400$ makes ices pretty quick. I use the water bottle method. Only down side is it needs to be inside or some where cool. I have it in garage so ice doesn't last long because of the radiant heat, it stays hotter than normal so ice melts and needs to be remade. Once it melts its flushed out. It's a really convenient ice maker and saver just need some planning for my use. But noise level is like an old fridge. Makes ice every 15 or 20 minutes. In my garage using a 5gal water bottle I have to fill jug once a week to keep ice constant. Right now during texas summer we will see in fall and winter.