The BlueAir Filter Problem

God of Ramblers

So.. they smell like Sheet?

Lennart Sorensen

I found one review on amazon for blueair carbon filters complaining that the replacement filter they got had a sour smell, while the one that came with the machine originally ran a year without doing that. They mentioned that the original filter had carbon pellets and the replacement had carbon sheets. They went through 3 replacements with the same problem before convincing blueair to send one made with pellets and that had no problem with sour smell. So it sounds like the carbon sheet based filters have a problem.

In a clean room setting, the HEPAs are protected by prefilters, fairly common furnace-filter grade. Changing those early is cheap. Else the expensive HEPA clogs up

Jan Snyder-Ellerman

Perhaps new filters might end your problem. Just an analogy.. We vacuumed every few days in our house. We had 5 dogs, so cleaning often was a must. My wife researched a new vacuum cleaner that had super-high ratings for excellent cleaning and, at that time, a new-fangled hepa filter. We were agast that the vacuum cleaner filled up in just one room, a room we considered clean. Then the hepa filter had to be changed in one week, not the 3 months in the specs & instructions. What I realized is that this vacuum cleaner was so much better than our old one, that the chamber filled up super fast and the hepa filter likewise was likewise clogged way before it's scheduled replacement. After replacing that hepa filter a few times early, it started lasting the full 3 months. I do know that carbon filters can smell sour when they are used up, or if they are past their datecode when purchased. If I were you, I'd try another set of filters, just in case the high efficiency of these machines clogged the carbon filters quickly. But it sucks that Blue isn't responding, etc.

There are multiple problems with Blueair as this expert site cleanly sums up... https://www.aircleaners.com/blueairpurifierreport/ most of the other places report similar findings and the ONLY place I could find a "High" recommendation was "Consumer reports" and their methodology and reviews are mostly behind a pay wall so I seriously question their results... Research across dozens of allergen and medical air purifier sites do not even have Blue Air listed... but the specs and testing of their units are listed and verified to be worth the costs... many (if not most) of which are cheaper (some substantially) and the filters are rated for a minimum of 12 months up to 3 Years! Not the "6-months" for the high priced Blue Air filters.

Travis Snoozy

That's my take too - not necessarily that the coconut wasn't fully carbonized, but at least that there's a biological agent that's taken up residence in this batch and is causing the funk. Running in cycles makes sense (acid builds up, organism has a hard time growing, acid blows out, organism can repopulate again), but I'd also expect there to be at least a moderate correlation with humidity at some point in the cycle too.

Purely a "gut feeling"... but I think that coconut wasn't processed properly and is rotting. Had some coconut husk (coir?) lined hanging planters years ago that got a funky smell. Hope you can get it figured out.

Fran Blanche

I used Honeywell and Kenmore box filter machines for decades but they simply don't make them anymore - those filters used a different approach to activated carbon.

Fran Blanche

That kind of stuff ain't cheap.

Fran Blanche

Not likely.

Kendra Akin

Sorry to hear about the grief and non-responsive company. I think I will hold off spending money on BlueAir equipment. The old Honeywell unit that we have is not that impressive, but it has never turned sour.

BobC

C-19 slowed my plans to start 3D printing with filament that can emit noxious odors. My plan was to go with a heated enclosure with slight venting to ensure negative pressure, with carbon HEPA unit nearby to cope with any inadvertent leakage. I, too, assumed BlueAir would be a "no-brainer" for keeping the air clean. So glad my plans slowed! I think I'll sit tight and see how this all plays out. Until then, I've decided that if I absolutely can't wait to print these filaments, I'll put my printer on a cart and wheel it outside when needed.

sounds to me like Someone™ needs to take some air samples and have them analyzed

Brandon Lewis

I suspect they have a bad batch of filters, and they know what's up. Personally, I'd be willing to put up a few bucks to get to the bottom of it -- if that comes down to buying some new filters from a new lot, sending your filters out for testing, or whatever, I'm sure I'm not alone in this. I've been contemplating a filter for my apartment, I know I've got mold.

Brandon Lewis

I agree, the fact that you've gotten no response is suspicious. They know something's up, and it isn't good. That's why they specifically say *nothing*. If they say anything, it could come back to bite them in a future class action. The whole legal system is toxic this way, it punishes honesty.

EEVblog

Yes, interesting. He's wrong about the ionizer though. The ionized particles are not going to get through the fabric filter, as it's on the inlet side, not the outlet.

Robin Clizbe

Looking forward to seeing more 'problem' videos from you. Sometimes sharing the struggles you have will elicit a solution from someone who has encountered the problem in their past.

EEVblog

Can you team up with a university lab or something to analyse the saturation of the carbon pellets in some way?

Dr Andy Hill

Problem videos, sound like a good way to get back into the swing Fran, good to have you back!

William Nimmo

Nice Rant,Do not know about the chemical,side of the Activated Charcoal. yes they use coconuts seems like there is more of a process than they let on. Mayby BigClive would have some input on this subject IDK He seems to have a grasp on chemicals and especially Ozone. Just a thought wish I had payed attention in school . But after your rather modest investment,with a 'Reputably Company' WTF Keep on Keeping on William

Rocco Rizzo

I would imagine that the issue is all about money. Simply follow the money and you will find your answer. But hey, what do I know.

Just found this. It makes interesting reading: https://www.aircleaners.com/blueairpurifierreport/

Well done Fran for putting out this video. I don’t have any use for air filtration systems, but if the guys at Blue Air don’t sit up and take note now they deserve to loose trade. I hope they sort out the problem or give you a full refund for the machines.