Overview
Even though the Living Air Purifier (also known as the Vollara Air Purifier and/or Ecoquest Air Purifier) work very well in two specific areas of air purification there is a list of downsides. I’ll dive into the ozone dangers along with the pros and cons but first a little bit of company history.
The Living Air Purifier (as sold by Ecoquest) was bought by Vollara. It has been a Multi-level marketing product in each case. I originally knew the Living Air as the Alpine Air Purifier, which i believe was it’s first “incarnation”.
If you’re wondering why it changed ownership so often it is because of the Ozone dangers via the EPA and the Health Department. They (Company and Distributors) also made outrageous claims about health problems their air purifiers claimed to help. The recent switch/buyout of Ecoquest by Vollara may have been financial as well, I’m still investigating that rumor. The name change allowed them to stay in business when the Government agencies brought on the heat. Simply put too much ozone can harm the lungs, and this is an ozone machine. For an explanation of Ozone watch the video below.
You’ll also find a review of the Living Air Purifier here.
Living Air Purifier Video Review
Love and Dangers of Ozone
It’s a love-hate relationship I have with Ozone.
What I love about Ozone is it’s ability to kill mold, mildew and odor. Better than anything out there. What I hate is that it won’t do anything for dust or pollen. So I have used it effectively for mold problems, stale air, odors, and when I wanted to “shock treat” a room.
I never recommend it as an everyday air purifier because the ozone can harm lungs. My day-to-day air purifier runs 24/7 and uses negative ions and HEPA to remove dust, pollen, odor and more. I also tell asthmatics and allergically sensitive people to stand clear of ozone air purifiers of any kind
For “Shock Treatment”
SHOCK TREATMENT WITH OZONE: Here’s how I use my ozone purifier: Every two weeks or so I crank it up and leave it on in a closed room for several hours. Then I open the door (or window) and let the remaining ozone dissipate for several hours before I go back in. I use this for my bedroom, bathroom and on an occasion when I have a mold or odor problem (kitchen, garage, basement, etc.).
Specs and Tech
Pros
1 – Great Mold & Mildew Killer
2 – Good for odor and smoke
3 – Good for “dis-infecting” or purifying a room
Cons
1 – MLM makes the price steep
2 – Ozone is a problem and a danger for asthmatics and allergically sensitive people
3 – NOTE: Living Air does not honor warranties since they were bought out by Vollara
5 – Loud on High
Specifications and Technologies
Living Air Purifier
Retail Price: 725-899
Purification Technologies: 3
Square Footage: 20-3000 SQ. Ft.
Replacement Filter Costs: Ozone Plates 30-60 (1-2 years)
Yearly Costs: 60-80
Decibel Level: (test coming)
Warranty – It was a 3 year warranty which did not cover the plates or bulb maintenance. However, Vollara has canceled warranty coverage on the former company’s products even though they just changed the name.
Number of Speeds – 3
Filters – 2
Conclusion
I like it for mold and treating a room. However I don’t put it ahead of my air purifier with Hepa, UV, negative Ion, Carbon air purifier. I just use it for problem areas and occasional shock treatments of rooms in my home and our offices.
If you’re looking for ozone for mold and odor removal there are now smaller, less-expensive Chinese ozone air purifier models available (some for 100) which will do the same thing. The video below offers some suggestions.