The basic task of air purifiers is to get rid of the pollutants from the air and keep it clean. That includes removing foul odors as well.
But sometimes, air purifiers can introduce off smell to the room. When that happens, it would be pretty normal for you to wonder why does my Honeywell air purifier smell.
Well, a couple of factors can tell you why. For example, the air purification device could smell if it is brand new. It can also put out an off odor in the air if the filters inside are damp or clogged with an excessive amount of air pollutants. There might be other reasons as well.
Want to get to the bottom of the issue? We will discuss everything regarding it in this discussion. So, read through!
What Makes Air Purifiers Smell?
As we have stated earlier, a couple of reasons can explain why your Honeywell air purifier smells. Among them, these are the most common:
New Appliance Smell
Wondering why does my air purifier smell like plastic? You are not the only that is asking such types of questions. Every homeowner complains about it when they get themselves a new air purifier.
So, if you have just got the Honeywell air purifier, the smell is there because the device is still new. And it is entirely normal.
In order to get rid of this new smell, you just need to run the device for a while. Let the filter do its work in eliminating the odor. And after using it for a couple of days, the smell issue should no longer be there.
Issues with the Filter
If the Honeywell air purification device is not new and you are noticing an odd smell, the filter might be the culprit.
The filter might have gotten wet, promoting mold, yeast, and bacteria growth. And in such a state, the device can let out quite an annoying smell. The filter will also be inefficient in cleaning the air.
Now, how does water get into the filters? Well, moisture can get in if you do not properly store or place the air purifier in the room.
And in order to confirm this issue, you can disassemble the device and check the filtration unit. If it appears that there is the presence of mold, bacteria, and yeast, replace it.
On that note, we would highly recommend getting filters that have antibacterial properties. Those do a proper job of inhibiting the growth of microorganisms.
The same thing applies to filters with UV properties. With those, you will not need to worry about mold, bacteria, and yeast infestation on the filtration unit.
Insufficient Ventillation
Poor ventilation could make the air purification device smell. The carbon filters will get saturated with different odor particulates in poorly vented areas. And that saturation will eventually result in the air purifier emitting odor-induced air.
If this is the case, you will be dealing with all sorts of smells. That includes dust, fragrance, tobacco, paint, and other odor particles with which the air filter might have saturated itself.
Therefore, it is crucial to place the air purifiers in the most effective position in the room. Do not just set them on the room’s corners and call it a day. Instead, try to place them in the center of the room. Also, ensure that you do not put anything blocking the air intake and outtake.
Faulty UV Light Filter and Left Plastics on the Inside
Do your Honeywell air purifier smells like burning plastic? It can be due to a faulty UV filter. The UV light might be damaged, and it might be burning the parts that surround it.
That is why, when you notice a burning smell coming out of the device, you should not use it without fixing the issue.
Now, when it comes to fixing the burning plastic smell issue, you need to inspect the UV light of the air purifier. See if it is working optimally or not. If you notice any physical damage to the UV light, get it replaced right away.
On the other hand, if the UV light seems completely fine, but there is still a burning smell coming out of the air purifier, it might be due to the plastic wraps that you might have forgotten to take out.
Air purifier filters usually come with a plastic protective sheet that must be taken out before turning the device.
If you leave the plastic on, the heat will melt it and produce this awful smell. So, if the UV light is not the issue, disassemble the device and see if there is any plastic sheet inside or not.
Ozone-Related Issues
A chlorine like-smell could emanate from the air purifier. If that is the case for you, the main culprit is ozone. It generally emits a clean smell, almost something similar to what you would smell after a thunderstorm. The odor is also comparable to a chlorine-treated swimming pool.
Now, how to confirm whether the smell is ozone or not? You need to check whether your device has ionizers or not. If there are ionizers present, you can be sure that the smell is of ozone. In this case, you need to change the air purifier to get rid of the issue. Get something that utilizes an advanced filtration unit instead, such as HEPA.
How to Get Rid of Smells Coming Out of Air Purifiers?
If the issue is with the filter, you need to get it replaced. But if your Honeywell air purifier has a washable filter, you can just clean it instead of replacing it.
Ensuring that the filters are clean is the easiest way to not experience such smells. For that reason, we recommend commencing frequent checkups on the device.
Final Words
Still asking yourself why does my Honeywell air purifier smell? The reason can be mostly for a wet filtration unit, broken UV light, or plastics you forgot to take out during the setup process.
On the other hand, it can be simply because the device is new. In that case, just let the air purifier run for a while.
