A method for controlling an air conditioner with an air purification module, in particular the start of said air purification module, comprising: step A: turning on the air conditioner, and recording a turn-on time of the air conditioner to acquire a first time; step B: calculating a time interval between the first time and a time when the air conditioner completed the purification function last time, and determining whether the time interval is greater than or equal to a first preset duration, if so, performing step E, otherwise, performing step C; step C: determining whether the time interval is greater than an air purification cycle, and determining whether a time difference between the time interval and the air purification cycle is greater than a preset warning difference; when the time interval is greater than the air purification cycle and the time difference between the time interval and the air purification cycle is greater than the preset warning difference, performing step D; when the time interval is greater than the air purification cycle and the time difference between the time interval and the air purification cycle is less than or equal to the preset warning difference, sending first reminding information to a user, and performing step H; step D: sending second reminding information to a user, and performing step E; step E: determining whether the air conditioner is in a default purification mode, if so, performing step F, otherwise, performing step G; step F: enabling the air purification module of the air conditioner to work, and when the air purification module completes the purification function, recording the time when the purification function is completed, and updating the air purification cycle; step G: enabling the air conditioner to operate according to a received air conditioner operating mode; and determining whether the received air conditioner operating mode is a purification mode, and if so, performing the step F, and step H: determining whether a selection of an air conditioner operating mode is received, if so, performing the step G, otherwise, enabling the air conditioner to operate according to a default mode or a memory mode of the air conditioner. step A: turning on the air conditioner, and recording a turn-on time of the air conditioner to acquire a first time; step B: calculating a time interval between the first time and a time when the air conditioner completed the purification function last time, and determining whether the time interval is greater than or equal to a first preset duration, if so, performing step E, otherwise, performing step C; step C: determining whether the time interval is greater than an air purification cycle, and determining whether a time difference between the time interval and the air purification cycle is greater than a preset warning difference; when the time interval is greater than the air purification cycle and the time difference between the time interval and the air purification cycle is greater than the preset warning difference, performing step D; when the time interval is greater than the air purification cycle and the time difference between the time interval and the air purification cycle is less than or equal to the preset warning difference, sending first reminding information to a user, and performing step H; step D: sending second reminding information to a user, and performing step E; step E: determining whether the air conditioner is in a default purification mode, if so, performing step F, otherwise, performing step G; step F: enabling the air purification module of the air conditioner to work, and when the air purification module completes the purification function, recording the time when the purification function is completed, and updating the air purification cycle; step G: enabling the air conditioner to operate according to a received air conditioner operating mode; and determining whether the received air conditioner operating mode is a purification mode, and if so, performing the step F, and step H: determining whether a selection of an air conditioner operating mode is received, if so, performing the step G, otherwise, enabling the air conditioner to operate according to a default mode or a memory mode of the air conditioner.