The Right to Repair and Air Quality Monitors: Why Longevity Should Be a Standard, Not a Luxury

We’ve talked a lot about open hardware and our commitment to it here at AirGradient, and it’s not just a philosophical stance for us. It’s deeply connected to a principle that I think is becoming increasingly important: the right to repair. When you buy something, especially something designed to help you protect your health, it shouldn’t be a disposable item. And that’s exactly what many air quality monitor manufacturers seem to be pushing us towards.

Think about it. We live in a world where tech is often designed with planned obsolescence in mind. The latest phone comes out, and suddenly your perfectly functional older model feels sluggish, or software updates stop. This isn’t just annoying; it’s incredibly wasteful. And this trend is creeping into the world of air quality monitoring, and frankly, it’s something we need to push back against.

For us, building open-hardware air quality monitors isn’t just about transparency in design; it’s fundamentally about empowering you, the user. When we provide schematics, firmware, and clear documentation, we’re saying, “This is your monitor. You should have the power to understand it, maintain it, and yes, even repair it if something goes wrong.”

The Frustration of the Unfixable

How many times have you had a device break, only to find out that it’s virtually impossible to repair? Maybe a specific part isn’t available, or the design makes disassembly a nightmare, or the cost of repair is almost as much as buying a new one. This isn’t just frustrating; it’s a drain on your wallet and a burden on the planet.

Now, consider this in the context of an air quality monitor. These devices are meant to provide crucial information about the air you breathe. If a sensor module fails, or a connection comes loose, should you be forced to throw away the entire unit and buy a new one?

We don’t think so.

We’ve seen the trend in our industry where companies are moving towards proprietary sensor cartridges, often at inflated prices. While it might seem convenient for the manufacturer, it locks you into their ecosystem and prevents you from sourcing replacement parts yourself – even if the underlying sensor module is a readily available and affordable component. It feels like a way to artificially inflate costs and shorten the lifespan of the product.

Our Approach: Designed for Longevity and Repair

From the very beginning, with our DIY kits and our assembled monitors, we’ve prioritized repairability. Both, our indoor AirGradient ONE, as well as the outdoor monitor AirGradient Open Air are designed to be easy to disassemble. We use standard, off-the-shelf sensor modules that, while they do have a lifespan, can be replaced without needing specialized tools or expensive proprietary parts. All of these spare parts are available in our online shop.

At AirGradient, we understand why many people might think self-repair is some complex, technical feat. Frankly, we see how other companies often design their products in ways that actively discourage you from fixing things yourself. It’s a shame because the truth is, repairing your own equipment doesn’t have to be intimidating! With our AirGradient monitors, we’ve intentionally made things simple. We believe in empowering you to keep your monitor running smoothly, and that’s why we’ve designed them to be easily repairable – even if you don’t have any prior technical expertise. We think you’ll be surprised at how straightforward it can be.

We provide documentation and guides to help you do this! We believe that if a sensor module needs replacing after a few years, you should be able to source a new one and swap it out, extending the life of your monitor significantly. This isn’t just good for your bank account; it’s the responsible thing to do for the environment.

The Environmental Cost of Disposable Tech

Think about the environmental impact of constantly replacing electronics. The mining of raw materials, the energy-intensive manufacturing process, the transportation – it all adds up. And then there’s the e-waste. Piles of discarded devices, many of which could have been repaired with a little effort and accessible parts.

It’s shocking when you really start to think about where all our old gadgets go. Over 50 million metric tons of electronic waste get dumped worldwide every year – that’s a mountain of discarded phones, computers, and TVs piling up. Less than a fifth of it gets properly recycled, the rest slowly leaking toxic chemicals into the ground and water. It makes you wonder about the real cost of always having the newest tech, knowing so much of it ends up just polluting our planet.

By designing our monitors for longevity and repairability, we’re actively trying to reduce this environmental footprint. We believe that a product designed to monitor and protect our environment shouldn’t contribute to its degradation.

It Shouldn’t Be a Luxury

The right to repair isn’t just a niche concept for tech enthusiasts. It should be a standard expectation for all products, especially those related to our health and well-being. Longevity shouldn’t be a premium feature; it should be the norm.

When you’re looking for an air quality monitor, ask the tough questions:

• Is it easy to repair?
• Are spare parts readily available, and at a reasonable cost?
• Does the company provide repair manuals or guides?
• Are they using proprietary cartridges that lock me into their ecosystem?

Supporting companies that prioritize repairability and transparency is a vote for a more sustainable and user-empowering future. It’s a way to say that we value products that are built to last, not built to be replaced.

We believe that owning an air quality monitor should be an investment in your health and your understanding of your environment, not a subscription to a cycle of consumption. That’s why we’re committed to making longevity and repairability a core part of the AirGradient philosophy. It shouldn’t be a luxury; it’s the way things should be.

What are your thoughts on the right to repair? Have you ever been frustrated by a device that was impossible to fix? Share your experiences in the comments below!