Cons of Ecoquest Fresh Air Purifiers

Cost

• The cost of air purifiers ranges drastically depending on the type of technology used in the purifier as well as the intended range of the purifier. Fan and filter styles designed for small rooms typically cost under $100, while more complex whole-house models can be as expensive as $5,000. EcoQuest Fresh Air purifiers cost approximately $747, as of January 2011. The purifier is intended to cleanse the air in up to 3,000 square feet as long as the area is open and allows free airflow between rooms. If your home is not an open floor plan, or you intend to use the purifier in a smaller space, the unit is one of the more expensive options.

Maintenance

• One of the benefits of EcoQuest Fresh Air purifiers is that they are not fitted with air filters that require routine cleaning or replacement. Even without the filters, the Fresh Air purifier requires maintenance based on how often you run the purifier and how dirty your air is. When the time comes to clean your purifier, a light on the exterior panel alerts you. Cleaning the purifier involves unscrewing a plate on the back of the unit to access a ceramic ion-generating plate on the inside; the plate and surrounding areas must be vacuumed and thoroughly dusted to ensure proper functioning of your unit. According to the user manual, the process typically takes between 10 and 20 minutes, and most units require maintenance less than once per month.

Safety

• Fresh Air purifiers are effective for removing odors and dust from the air, but the ion-generating plates and ultra-violet light also produce ozone. Ozone is an effective air purifier, but the ozone should be removed from the air after its purification properties have accomplished their work because inhaling ozone can cause harmful health side effects. The Environmental Protection Agency warns that high ozone concentrations can irritate the lungs, cause chest pain and induce coughing. Though the low levels of ozone produced by the Fresh Air purifier are unlikely to cause irritation in healthy users, people with asthma are particularly sensitive to ozone and may be affected. The EcoQuest Fresh Air purifier user manual warns users to evacuate the area if the unit is left in its "Away" mode, which produces the largest amount of ozone.