Trouble with Sharper Image Ionic Breeze Units
 

My wife has a mega dust allergy (and other stuff too)...we've used several Sharper Image Ionic Breeze units for quite a few years now with reasonable satisfaction...however at some point the unit seems to:
* start making a zzzzt zzzzt noise frequently
* shortly thereafter the red "clean me" light goes on
* then the unit goes in-op even after cleaning and she does clean them regularly
The units are always out of warranty by the time it happens and it's happened to most of them after 1-3 years of service.
So has anyone else had this problem and hopefully has a solution??

Try one of these...
 

http://www.3m.com/us/home_leisure/filtrete/

They work much better than the Ionic Breeze...

I assume you're aware of the Consumers' Report take on the Ionic Breeze?

Thanks for the replies.

1. we looked at other filters but one key point that made a difference to my beloved was the passive nature of the S.I. unit...there is no fan...units with fans cause her issues because of the increased air movement...I don't get it but it makes a difference to her
2. yes am aware of C.R. reports about S.I....but all I know is that they make her happy..

So -- unplug the thing, leave it sitting there, and don't tell her. It'll be just as effective.

Consumer Reports:
Sharper Image's Ionic Breeze Quadra Silent Air Purifier and four other similar machines fail to significantly clean the air - but also release potentially unhealthy levels of ozone.

According to the Department of Environmental Protection:
"High levels of ozone irritate the respiratory system and can permanently damage the lungs. During times of unhealthy ozone levels, people with asthma and those with bronchitis are prone to breathing difficulties, especially children and elderly people."

CR and SI have been battling in the press and the courts for years over these units. I thought CR won a settlement. I once had a non-SI unit emitting a fair amount of ozone and had to scrap it.

MisterNice

Filtrete v SI
 

I was going to post this demo the other day...I have actually witnessed this in person a few months back at a trade show....

http://www.3m.com/us/home_leisure/fi.../55_demos.html

Click the second link down "Ultra Clean Air Purifier". I think they are about the same price as the SI units....