Blueair 402... regular filter has charcoal now? Has anyone ordered a replacement filter recently for the 402, the regular particle filter (NOT the Smokestop), and found that it has a layer of activated charcoal in it now? The odor that comes from that layer is making me sick!! Blueair hasn't answered my e-mails and I can't seem to get clear descriptions from any online sellers. Does anyone know if they still make the plain-ol' particle filters with only the white part and no charcoal layer? Blueair 402... regular filter has charcoal now? Has anyone ordered a replacement filter recently for the 402, the regular particle filter (NOT the Smokestop), and found that it has a layer of... » Read More Blueair 402... regular filter has charcoal now? Has anyone ordered a replacement filter recently for the 402, the regular particle filter (NOT the Smokestop), and found that it has a layer of activated charcoal in it now? The odor that comes from that layer is making me sick!! Blueair hasn't answered my e-mails and I can't seem to get clear descriptions from any online sellers. Does anyone know if they still make the plain-ol' particle filters with only the white part and no charcoal layer? « Show Less
1074868
I found the smell very objectionable. I use this Blueair to clean the air in my bedroom (saferoom) due to chemical sensitivities and allergies and cannot tolerate the smell. I have the new filter airing outside, waiting for it to off gas - it's been out there 3 days and nights and the smell is faint, but still there. Meanwhile, I vacuumed the old filter and am using it until the new is tolerable (it's been just under 6 months so not even too old yet).
1074869
I got a new 403 6 months ago and it had charcoal. I didn't open it up to see, but you could smell it when first starting with the new filter. The smell went away in a few hours as the instructions said it would.
1695066
I don't use mine all day everyday and it depend on how much solder smoke you are generating. Soldering small electronic parts is different than say using lots of flux and soldering stained glass. IF the effectiveness of the filter seems noticeably reduced, change it. By noticeable I mean do you notice the odor of the solder flux more as compared to when the filter is new. A brown residue will build up on the filter but that may be hard to see because the filter is black. One trick you can do to know when the filter is getting dirty is to cut a small piece from a coffee filter (maybe a 1 inch square) and place it on the front of the filter behind the grill. When you see it starting to get brown, change the piece filter. Don't cover the entire carbon filter with a coffee filter, it will reduce air flow too much. Another trick to make the filter both last longer and be more effective is to add a home made pre-filter made of polyester batting (used in quilts and pillows and available from hobby stores) To use, take a few square inches and sort of tease it apart into a thin and relatively uniform thickness that is the same size as the filter. Just place it in front of the filter behind the grill. The cabon filter only helps to trap and neutralize the chemical in the smoke (and that helps reduce odor) but it is not meant to be a super fine particle filter (which smoke is full of). Having the pre-filter helps remove more of the particles and make the carbon filter last longer. Be careful not to make the pre-filter too thick or air flow will be reduced. I find I can change the pre-filter 2 or 3 times before needing to replace the carbon filter. Since the polyester batter is cheaper if you make it the right thickness, you can save money AND have a better overall filter if you are will to do a little extra work/maintenance. BTW - I use the same polyester batting pre-filter trick in my aquarium to make the expensive carbon filter last longer and it also keeps the water much cleaner even in a goldfish tank.
515649
Yes, it happened to my last orders. This never happened to me. One filter had water drops in the bag. something sticks to the filter. I didn't use it. It is not safe to use. 2 filters, I used, always spitted black charcoal and white dust in the water. I posted pictures with my product review. I contacted Amazon, and returned them to get money back.
47482
Great Question :) They are only 25 dollars and they are sold at http://www.amazon.com/Charcoal-Anti-Odor-New-Comfort-Purifiers/dp/B00D2Y3H2E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412163965&sr=8-1&keywords=new+comfort+charcoal+filter By the way this unit is great because it has 2 ways to remove odors. One is with the charcoal filter. Charcoal actually absorbs the odor. However once the charcoal filter is full it quits absorbing odors and must be replaced. The other way is through the Ozone feature. While you cant be in the room while its running (like you can with the charcoal filter) it is very effective at removing odors. It does not need to use a filter for that so those dont need replaced like a filter does. I hope that helps :) Let me know if you have any other questions :) Thanks Dustin GreatVacs (seller)
113102
Have a good sense of smell and other than when new. There was a bit of plastic odor that went away. My wife never complained and it is in our master bedroom. For a 2 years now.. The first filter a foam whatever is too dense to pass even the slo setting. I removed that and since washable it works better. With that on the front it was making the unit try and draw at the seams where the filter in framed. Still would say it is a good non hepa. The rotational feature is ??? Don't use myself. It is an electrostatic filter so that is a charges filter to attach the pollution. The charging tends to freshen the air as a byproduct. Have a good sense of smell and other than when new. There was a bit of plastic odor that went away. My wife never complained and it is in our master bedroom. For a 2 years now.. The first filter a foam whatever is too dense to pass even the slo setting. I removed that and since washable it works better. With that on the front it was making the unit try and draw at the seams where the filter in framed. Still would say it is a good non hepa. The rotational feature is ??? Don't use myself. It is an electrostatic filter so that is a charges filter to attach the pollution. The charging tends to... » Read More Have a good sense of smell and other than when new. There was a bit of plastic odor that went away. My wife never complained and it is in our master bedroom. For a 2 years now.. The first filter a foam whatever is too dense to pass even the slo setting. I removed that and since washable it works better. With that on the front it was making the unit try and draw at the seams where the filter in framed. Still would say it is a good non hepa. The rotational feature is ??? Don't use myself. It is an electrostatic filter so that is a charges filter to attach the pollution. The charging tends to freshen the air as a byproduct. « Show Less
1497451
The less expensive one is just a paper filter. I've noticed that some of the more expensive ones contain carbon to filter out odors. Wasn't really a deal breaker for me. I just wanted to minimize construction dust.
27917
It could be defective. However, I know after you replace one, and the older filter has captured a lot of particulates in it, the water flows through it slowly. When a new one is put in, it seem to flow through fast just because it hasn't captured any of the microscopic particulates yet. As the activated charcoal in the filter captures more particulates, it will begin to slow down some. I suggest you call Brita on their customer service number and express your concerns. Most of the time these companies are very interested in making sure you are satisfied, so call them.
363737
The carbon filters that came with my purifiers and the replacement ones I've bought either in a store or from Amazon (couldn't find them in stores anymore!) have been black with specks of white baking soda. The baking soda is for odor absorption and the color should not affect the performance of the actual filter. One unit I have had reviews of smelling like wet diapers; I did notice this when it was new, but less so since replacing the filter. Interesting comment about the newer filters not having baking soda and not neutralizing cooking odors; so far this has not been a problem with my garlic and ginger stir fries, neutralizes the air well. The carbon filters that came with my purifiers and the replacement ones I've bought either in a store or from Amazon (couldn't find them in stores anymore!) have been black with specks of white baking soda. The baking soda is for odor absorption and the color should not affect the performance of the actual filter. One unit I have had reviews of smelling like wet diapers; I did notice this when it was new, but less so since replacing the filter. Interesting comment about the newer filters not having baking soda and not neutralizing cooking odors; so far this has not been a problem with my... » Read More The carbon filters that came with my purifiers and the replacement ones I've bought either in a store or from Amazon (couldn't find them in stores anymore!) have been black with specks of white baking soda. The baking soda is for odor absorption and the color should not affect the performance of the actual filter. One unit I have had reviews of smelling like wet diapers; I did notice this when it was new, but less so since replacing the filter. Interesting comment about the newer filters not having baking soda and not neutralizing cooking odors; so far this has not been a problem with my garlic and ginger stir fries, neutralizes the air well. « Show Less
965635
It comes with a filter. May I recommend you check out the Rabbit Air BioGS, which will come out in the summer. My blueair doesn't work any more. I got it in Jan/Feb of this year and with the Rabbit Air, the filters are washable. Hope this helps
1579970
This filter does have a charcoal layer inside it about 1/16" thick. I cut a used one I had in half to make sure. 3M even says you can use these for painting. It is listed in the specs for this filter. I would recommend the 60926 filter if you do a lot of painting though. The 60926 just makes you feel very safe. The P2097 is fine for light use IMO.
515655
I also noticed this on my last order from Amazon. Prior experience has always been dry. I found this issue after their return period so, now what? All filters in the package were wet and had a little charcoal coming out.
915898
That's the point of the filter. It will get dirty over time. If you want to extend the time between changes you may want to get a replacement filter that includes the charcoal pre-filter as it will help pick up some of the larger debris and can be hand washed.
754829
I've been changing the charcoal ones about three months(that's what they say to do),and that seems to be working out ok. You can take the cover off, and see how much stuff has accumulated on the filter, and I guess make your own determination. Have not changed the HEPA yet, I will probably go for the year, and see if it looks like it needs to be changed. It probably will. It's my feeling that most companies have spent lots of $$$$$ testing their products under varying conditions, and have set up the change intervals to optimize performance. 04/12/2014 Just changed the complete set of filters after about a year. The red HEPA light came on, and I ordered a complete set. I figure the cost is about a quarter a day. Not an issue for the increase in air quality. Hint: (1)Press and hold the reset button until it blinks, then it will go out.(2) Use a small hand vac with brush to clean the sensor area, it will pick up impurities quicker, hence, the fan speed increases quicker and doesn't have to run faster as long. After a year, we are completely satisfied with the EL500.
1263356
How many times did you run water through the filter when you got it? You should run water through the filter between 3-5 pitchers (don't drink this water, use it for plants or something) and the charcoal should stop coming through. You also have to clean the filter when you get it by running it under water. If you did those things and you still get charcoal you may have a bad filter
111883
Hi Charlie.I get the charcoal at Walmart in the "fish" department. It's called Aqua-Tech activated carbon. It's for aquariums. It is in a square plastic container, net weight 9 oz. The charcoal works perfectly in the Reusable Filter and lasts me about 6 or 8 months. With 13 cats in the house (and 5 outside that come in and go out at their pleasure) I clean my fountain about every 3-4 days. I have had the fountain for over a year and I just bought my second container from Walmart. It's easy to find and at Walmart it costs $6.99. Hope this helps.
769893
Yes, the filter pushes air through a charcoal pre filter &gt; a hepa filter &gt; UV light. All of which are replaceable. It's recommended to replace the pre charcoal and hepa filter every 6 months or so depending on use and how contaminated the air is. It's also recommended to take a vacuum to the filter every month to pull out the larger particles that may be lodged in it and extend filter life. When I looked for replacements they were not available on amazon, but easily purchased through the manufacturer's website.
111889
Hello! I bought one of these reusable filters today, as I saw they were available again. If you check back a few times over the next week or so, they come back in stock. They had a big sale on the fountains today, so I am guessing that is why everyone bought these reusable filters today. There were 13 of them around noon todayIf you just need the carbon, you can get that at any pet store. But if you need the filter itself, I believe this one is only sold on Amazon