Why is my EcoQuest Fresh Air purifier not producing its normal smell?
The UV bulb in my Fresh Air purifier went out, so I replaced with bulbs from eBay (hopefully, this isn’t the problem). The unit IS producing the typical UV light/glow, so I know the bulb works. But when I switch it to "Sanitize," I don’t get that ozone-y, charged air smell that I used to get. That makes me think it isn’t doing its magic. I assumed that the UV portion of the functioning is fine as it seems to make sense to me that the UV is either "go" or "no-go." I wouldn’t think that it can be "kinda" UV. Anyone know what part of the device is most likely to go out that would affect the sanitizing smell?
Thanks, OzoneGuy. So, what am I exactly looking for (model number, retailer, etc.) to make sure that I get the right kind of bulb?
Thanks so much for your help. BTW, can you summarize your opposition to the devices? I’ve heard that there has been criticism of these units, but haven’t known what to believe. I’m not sure the thing has even been beneficial, so, if I can get it working right, I’m tempted to just sell it.
You’ve go the wrong bulb. What you have likely has a glass envelope, and not a quartz envelope. So the necessary 215nm or shorter wavelengths are absorbed in the glass, and do not get into the air to make ozone.
Sorry, but the unscrupulous love to prey on the unwary. Hopefully, you can get your money back.
[EDIT: "What lamp do I need?"
I do not represent any companies that sell these things, I do not have one, I discourage people from using them.
So I'd just be doing a search with the brand name and model that you have stated here, same as you would. With no great confidence, I find this:
http://uvclamps.mybisi.com/product/ecoquest-uv-lamp--germicidal-lamp-uv-c-for-air-purifier
I will caution you not to touch the lamp envelope with your hands. "People grease" alters quartz in a bad way.]
[SECOND EDIT: "What are your objections?"
Ozone generators are very important to sustaining the life we have today. If your device had a timer, so that you could run it when you were not home, or at least the UV portion of it, and you'd not be exposed to ozone (more than we are anyway) when you walked in, I'd have no objections to it. Used sparingly, it can help lift the load of a thorough general cleaning...
Ozone (and other oxidants) is used by the body when fighting infection. Inflammation at the site of an infection is due to the presence of these oxidants. Ozone tells the body to turn off the immune system, that white blood cells are "on the job". Additionally, the inflammation tends to swell closed the air passages in our lungs, and kills off the red blood cells.
So exposure to ozone can be fatal to asthmatics, can bring on anemia (or make it fatal if they already have it), and can hasten the spread of some of the diseases some idiots apply ozone to their blood to fight. And our pets and plants suffer similar issues when they are neglected in considerations to apply ozone to the living space.
Ozone is Nature's hand grenade. It is not something to be used by the unwary. Despite the promise it also holds.]
Next time when you buy, Try to have a high performing air purifier and using a HEPA Filter.