About The Author: Travis Baugh is a Digital Brand Marketing Manager for Bryant, where he creates clear, helpful content to guide homeowners through heating, cooling, and indoor air quality decisions. His goal is to empower readers with the knowledge they need to choose the right comfort solutions for their home—confidently and comfortably.
Do Air Purifiers Help with Smell?
By Travis Baugh
Do air purifiers help with smell? Yes, air purifiers effectively help with smell, but only if they are equipped with an activated carbon filter. While standard air filters capture solid particles like dust and allergens, activated carbon is specifically engineered to adsorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs), gases, and the microscopic particles that cause unpleasant scents from pets, cooking, and smoke.
How Do Air Purifiers Remove Odors?
To understand how to banish bad smells, it is crucial to distinguish between filtering particles and filtering gases. Most standard air purifiers rely on HEPA filters, which are incredible at trapping solid particles like dust and pollen. However, odor molecules are gases, which are much smaller than what a standard HEPA filter can catch.
To effectively remove smells, high-quality air purifiers utilize activated carbon filters through a process called adsorption.
- The Science of Adsorption: Unlike absorption (where a sponge soaks up water), adsorption causes gas molecules to stick to the surface of the carbon.
- Surface Area Power: A single pound of activated carbon has a surface area equivalent to about 100 football fields. This vast network of tiny pores traps gases, chemicals, and VOCs, locking them away so they don't recirculate into your home.
Common Household Smells Air Purifiers Can Eliminate
Investing in comfort means addressing the sources of indoor pollution. An effective air purifier targets the following common nuisances:
- Cooking Odors: Don't let the smell of fish or fried food linger for days. Carbon filters trap these organic compounds quickly.
- Pet Odors: From litter boxes to "wet dog" smell, furry friends release dander and odors that require extra attention.
- Tobacco and Wildfire Smoke: Smoke is a complex mix of particles and gases. It permeates furniture and walls, making immediate removal vital.
- Mold and Mildew: Damp areas in basements or bathrooms breed musty scents. While you should address the moisture source, an air purifier for mold captures the airborne spores carrying the smell. how do air purifiers work
Important Features When Buying an Air Purifier for Smell
1. The Right Filtration System (Activated Carbon)
This is non-negotiable. Look for a unit with a substantial Activated Carbon Filter. This is the primary defense against VOCs, smoke, and chemical off-gassing.
- Note: A Pre-Filter is also essential to capture large particles (hair, dust bunnies) before they clog the carbon filter, extending the life of your system.
2. Air Changes Per Hour (ACH)
Efficiency matters. The ACH rating tells you how many times the device filters the entire volume of air in a room per hour. For odor removal, you want a higher turnover to keep up with active smells (like cooking). Aim for an ACH of 4–6 times per hour.
3. Appropriate Coverage
Size your unit correctly. If an air purifier is rated for 200 square feet, placing it in an open-concept living room won't provide the performance you need. Always match the manufacturer’s recommended square footage to your specific coverage size.
The Bryant Solution: Carbon Air Purifier with UV
For homeowners seeking advanced technology and long-term peace of mind, the Carbon Air Purifier with UV offers a comprehensive solution. This whole-home unit integrates directly with your HVAC system, providing continuous, quiet treatment without taking up floor space.
Why it stands out:
- Dual Technology: It combines a carbon core for odor/VOC reduction with a UV-C light to target microorganisms.
- System Protection: It helps reduce mold and bacteria growth on your HVAC's evaporator coil, improving system efficiency.
- Whole-Home Coverage: Unlike portable units, this treats the air circulating through your entire ductwork system.
Maintenance and Warranty
Reliable performance requires minimal effort. The carbon core needs replacement annually, and the UV bulb every two years. Backed by a 10-year parts limited warranty (upon timely registration), this system is designed to be a durable investment in your home's health.
Tips for Maintaining Fresh Indoor Air
While advanced technology is your best defense, combining it with good habits maximizes results:
- Ventilation: Periodically open windows to flush out stale air.
- Source Control: Keep garbage bins sealed and avoid indoor smoking.
- Regular Cleaning: Vacuuming removes the dust and dander that can hold onto odors.
- Filter Changes: Regularly change your standard HVAC air filters to maintain airflow and efficiency.
Contact Your Bryant Dealer For An Air Purifier To Help With Smell
Do air purifiers help with smell? Absolutely. Don't settle for masking odors with sprays. Invest in a solution that eliminates them. Schedule an appointment with you local Bryant dealer to get the Carbon Air Purifier with UV installed in your home.
1 The efficacy of the Carbon Air Purifier with UV (UVCAPXXC2015) to remove Aspergillus niger (97%), Penicillium citrinum (>99.99%), Escherichia coli (>99%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (>99.9999%), Coronavirus 229E (95%) and MS-2 bacteriophage (>99.99%) from treated surfaces after 24 hours was demonstrated in an ASTM E3135-18 test conducted by a third-party laboratory under ambient temperature and humidity conditions.
2The efficacy of the Carbon Air Purifier with UV (UVCAPXXC2015) to remove a surrogate airborne pathogen, MS-2 bacteriophage, was demonstrated with a decay rate (k) of 0.162860 and Clean Air Deliver Rate (CADR) of 130.6 cfm in 60 minutes in a chamber test conducted by a third-party laboratory using a 1007 ft3 chamber with an airflow of 1,220 cfm, test temperature of 74-77°F and relative humidity of 45.1-46.6%.
Air Purifier Smell FAQs
Yes, a whole-home air purifier with an activated carbon filter can help reduce odors from cooking, pets, smoke, and other sources by trapping odor-causing particles and gases.
An air purifier can begin reducing odors within a few hours, but complete odor removal depends on the air volume and odor source.
Yes, air purifiers with HEPA and activated carbon filters can be effective at removing pet dander and odors, helping keep your home smelling fresh and reducing allergens.
Learn More
- Explore air purifier for mold options
- Learn all about what does an air purifier do
- Find out how to choose an air purifier for dust
- Read our guide on the best air purifier for allergies
- Discover air purifier benefits
- Explore air purifiers for wildfire smoke
