Ever since I got sick from a moldy basement two years ago, I’ve become far more sensitive to the everyday toxins in our environment. Unfortunately, houses aren’t built in a green and clean manner, and indoor air pollution can be even worse than outdoors. Whether you have chronic health conditions, little kids in your house, or just want to stay healthy, getting good air quality should be a priority for all of us. Air purifiers are one way to get better air (and air that smells better too!).
I own an excellent air purifier, but recently I needed some extra support to cover more square feet. It was then that I learned from others about these amazing and easy air purifier box fans you can make yourself!
I was concerned that it might not be a legitimate way to reduce air pollution in the house, but this video convinced me that it could help reduce your air pollution load!
All you need to make this is the correct filter, a Box Fan, and tape.
The most important thing is to make sure that you buy the right filter. If you want to filter out the most things, you should be looking for a MERV 11( filtration rating) or higher. I decided to go with the “hospital grade” MERV 13 Furnace Filter. This filter will filter pollen, dust mites, mold spores, bacteria, proplet nuclei (droplets from sneezing), and smoke.
This project is so simple and inexpensive!
What you need:
- 20 inch Box Fan
- 20 by 20 by 1 MERV 13 Furnace Filter
- Heavy Duty Tape
Directions:
There will be a little arrow on the filter showing which way the air should flow. Point that in the right direction, and then tape onto the front of the box fan filter. (Note: Some have wondered whether we should tape it onto the back of the box fan filter. However the concern is that it will cause the fan to wear out more quickly because it has to pull the air through the filter.)
Plug in, and you are done! I run this on high. You can change the filters as often as they need it, once they look dirty (every 3 -6 months).
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Thanks for the great guide! Just ordered filters (your link was the only way I found them on amazon…I searched on my own and could not find any!) thanks!
My question is, how long has your box fan lasted? Any merv rating over 8 is taxing on a fan motor – you’re using a merv 13!. Can you please tell us:
1. How long have you used the merv 13/box fan set up?
2. How many hours a day do you run the purifier set up?
3. How long before you switch out filters?
Please let me know and tgank you for such a great article@@@!
Dave, we are still using the same box fan and it’s going strong! We use it all night (noise control). You can see when you need to switch filters by when it gets dirty.
Some sites says to put the filter in the back of the fan for fear of the dirt clogging up the fan. Right now I have my filter in the front of the fan…What do you think? (I also watched the video with the guy from UofM.)
Thanks for you thoughts 🙂
Very good article, minus one thing. Having it behind the fan does not put more strain on it. The less air that is passing through the fan, is less air that puts a load on the blades. You can see this in action by placing something on the back of the fan that completely blocks airflow. The blades will speed up. The more air that passes over the blades is more air that the blades have to push out of the fan. So putting it behind the fan will most likely increase fan life!
There is a product on Amazon called Box Fan Filter Grip. It is 2 silicon bands sized to hold a 1 x 20 x 20 furnace filter to a box fan. $10.95. They also recommend placing the filter on the back of the fan.
my brand new fan started burning when i instinctively put the filter on the back… i tried it on the front with the same result but maybe the damage was already permanent at that point… or, perhaps, the fam was faulty to begin with… ‘any thoughts?
p.s. what is that 800$ unit?
I truly believe it was the fan. I have been using the cheapest lasso 20 x 20 fan for over 5 years. I paid $16.88 for it at my local Walmart.
Hey there! So I’ve noticed that since there is resistance pushing air through the filter, air is just bouncing out the back now. Did this happen to you? I’m assuming that all that air coming out the back isn’t filtered…