Common Odor Control Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Home » Common Odor Control Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

As the year wraps up, facilities are reviewing system performance and preparing maintenance schedules for the year ahead. It’s the ideal time to reassess your odor control strategy to ensure an efficient, compliant, and odor-free start to 2026.

Below are five common odor control mistakes our team frequently sees in the field — and practical ways to prevent them.

1. Turning Off Systems to “Save Energy”

Odor control systems are designed for continuous operation. Shutting them down intermittently may seem like a way to conserve energy, but it often results in odor spikes, extended recovery periods, and greater energy use in the long run.

Key takeaway: Keep systems running to maintain steady adsorption and prevent gas buildup. Continuous operation supports consistent odor control performance.

2. Delaying Media Replacement

Pushing chemisorbant media beyond its useful life is one of the most common and costly mistakes. As media becomes saturated, its adsorption efficiency drops — often unnoticed until odor complaints begin.

Tip: Schedule periodic testing to monitor remaining media life and plan changeouts in advance. PureAir’s Lifegard™ technology, allows facilities to track bed performance in real time and prevent breakthroughs and unplanned downtime events for changeouts.

3. Overlooking Operational Changes

Adjustments in production volume, raw materials, or process equipment can affect the concentration and type of emitted gases. If an odor control system was sized or configured for a lower contaminated airflow, media life can shorten unexpectedly as operations grow.

Tip: Reevaluate system capacity whenever major process or production changes occur to confirm it still matches the facility’s needs.

4. Relying on Carbon as a “One-Size-Fits-All” Solution

Activated carbon is highly effective for many applications, but not all. Compounds like hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans, and amines often require specialized media formulations.

If odors persist despite new carbon, it’s likely a system isn’t addressing all the gases present. PureAir’s custom media blends are engineered to capture specific odor compounds for complete odor mitigation.

5. Ignoring Environmental Factors

Temperature and humidity can have a major influence on odor perception and control efficiency.

When temperatures rise, odor molecules become more energetic, transitioning more easily into the gas phase — leading to stronger odors. Humid air can trap these molecules, causing them to linger closer to the ground. Weather patterns like temperature inversions can also intensify odor complaints.

Tip: Include seasonal monitoring and maintenance adjustments in your odor control plan to stay ahead of environmental changes.

For more detail, read our related article: Why Odors Get Worse as Weather Warms.

Finishing the Year Strong

Effective odor control requires ongoing attention — not a “set it and forget it” approach. Before the new year begins, schedule a performance review, send in media for testing, or consult with PureAir Filtration.

A few proactive steps now can keep systems operating reliably, efficiently, and odor-free through 2026.