A strange odor from your air purifier is annoying, especially since you turn the device on precisely for fresher air. Fortunately, there is usually a simple, logical cause.
A new device: factory smell
With a brand-new air purifier, a slight plastic or synthetic smell is quite normal for the first few weeks. That odor comes from the materials and the filter itself and will disappear on its own after a few days to weeks of use. If you run the device on a higher setting in a well-ventilated room for the first few times, the smell usually disappears faster.
A saturated filter releases stored odors
The most common cause in a device that has been running for a while is a full filter. The activated carbon filter in an air purifier such as the AirPure Plus PA244 traps odor molecules from cooking, pets, smoke, or cleaning agents. When that filter becomes saturated, it can actually start releasing those odors again instead of holding onto them. A musty, dusty, or slightly chemical air from the device is often a sign that the filter needs to be replaced.
Moisture and bacterial growth
If an air purifier is in a damp room, such as a bathroom or a poorly ventilated bedroom, moisture can accumulate in the filter and the housing. This creates a musty, moldy smell similar to wet laundry left in the washing machine for too long. In that case, ensure sufficient ventilation around the device and let the filter dry thoroughly if it has accidentally become damp.
Dust and hair around the motor
Not all dust gets trapped in the filter. In devices that have not been cleaned for a long time, dust, lint, or hair can accumulate around the fan or air intake. If that material gets hot due to the motor, a slightly burning or dusty smell sometimes occurs. You can usually solve this by carefully cleaning the exterior and the grille of the device (see our article on safely cleaning an air purifier).
When is an odor a warning sign
A real burning smell, a sharp chemical odor, or smoke is not a normal maintenance issue. In that case, switch the device off immediately, unplug it, and have it checked before using it again.
How to prevent strange odors
- Replace the HEPA and carbon filter according to the recommended interval, on average every six to twelve months.
- Regularly dust the exterior and the intake grille.
- Do not place the device in a damp room without sufficient ventilation.
Our advice: when in doubt, hold the filter up to the light first. If it looks gray and full, that is usually the cause of the odor. For the AirPure Plus PA244, a new HEPA13 replacement filter is available, or take a look at the AirPure Plus PA244 itself if you are ready for a new device.
Smokers and households with many odor sources
In a home where there is a lot of smoking or where strong odors are the norm, such as with intensive cooking with oil or spices, the activated carbon filter demonstrably becomes saturated faster than in an average household. The odor that then returns is not necessarily a sign that something is broken; it is mainly a sign that the filter has reached its storage capacity for odor molecules. In such situations, it makes sense to check the filter more often and replace it slightly sooner than the standard guideline of six to twelve months.