Hi folks! I wanted to address a recurring question about why this design doesn't have activated carbon: Despite the claims some companies make, no air purifier is particularly effective at removing odors/gases. Air purifiers are designed to remove particulate, not gases. Some air purifiers have activated carbon in them, which can capture SOME odors/gases in smaller quantities and for shorter periods of time, but then they saturate and are ineffective. And by the way, you need a big, heavy block of carbon to actually capture a significant amount of gas. A thin carbon prefilter won't do much. There's a reason why air purifier companies don't share metrics about gas removal. It's not nearly an exact science. For reducing odors/gases, source control (removing the source of the odor/gas) is best. If that's not possible, ventilation (bringing outdoor air inside) is the next best, to dilute the concentration of the indoor odor/gas. Best way to do this is with an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). Think about it. It's intuitive - what's the best way to freshen a stuffy, smelly house? Fresh air. Also, here’s a minor improvement to one of the steps in the video: it would be easier to find the center of the coroplast square by drawing diagonal lines from corner to corner and marking where they intersect: ☒. You don’t need to buy the T-square if you already have a straight-edge that can measure 2 feet.
Hello! Now that it's 10 months later, is there anything else you would change about this design? I've noted: 1. The way to find the center 2. 16x25x1 instead of 16x30x1 filters 3. Possibly using pc fans (I'm doing the ac infinity because I want a higher amount of airflow available during fires and I don't have a lot of free time to make the cutouts fit) Edit: I have had this for a month and it's great! I would recommend tying down all 4 corners and adding foam weather sealing to the shroud. My filters were not perfectly straight or level so this helped fill the gaps.
A note about noise measurements: Because it's a log scale you can't do straight arithmetic for either addition or subtraction. You must first take the antilog of each number, subtract, then take the log. For example: 62 dB minus 29 dB background is still 62 dB, because the difference is so small it doesn't even register. If you had 36 dB and subtracted 29 dB, the net noise of the fan is 35 dB.
You can prolong the life of the filters by adding a pre-filter to catch large-particle dust, made of fine mesh window screen or nylon Noseeum netting that can be vacuumed or removed and washed.
Yup! I was actually planning on doing that with aesthetically-pleasing thin fabric. Maybe someday. Although it’s a whole thing learning how to create a fabric sheath that fits over an air purifier.
@@HealthyHomeGuide White noseeum netting worked well. I just tacked on rectangles of it with Scotch magic tape. It holds well enough to suck onto the filter and stay in place when I vacuum it, or peels off easily enough to remove it for washing
This is the only video that mentions an EC fan. The noise reduction is a huge deal, thanks for that. PSA - Costco has great prices on Filtrete (3M) filters.
Absolutely, I have no idea why other creators tend not to take this into account! Great tip about Costco - I have one right nearby. I might have to make a trip there hehe. Or buy online.
Other creators don't because their focus is usually about cost and those fans are heckaspensive. I'm not against it. Maybe I'll do it in a few months but that's why they don't.
Hot glue and different form factor. You’ve really contributed something to the air cleaner discussion on UA-cam. I think your method is what I’ll use going forward.
@@HealthyHomeGuide I made mine a month ago and it's changed how I feel in the shop. I didn't realize how itchy I was until I started aggressively filtering the air.
@@HealthyHomeGuidewhich MRP rating filter did you use..300-2800...higher numbers indicating that the filter can capture more microparticles, such as pollen, pet dander, smoke, bacteria, and viruses. Some say that the best filters have an MPR between 1,500 and 1,900. However, it's not recommended to use filters that are too strong, as they can increase energy costs, reduce airflow, and make heating and air conditioning less effective.
You should weigh the filters after assembly and weigh them agin when you go to replace them to see how much particulate theyve removed. Would be a cool stat to see
Great instructions. This is the least complication and beautiful I've see on you tube. I should have paid attention in geometry class. Who knew I would need it to make a circle for an air purifier one day.
@@HealthyHomeGuide You know that simply drawing a line from corner to corner diagonally is a simpler way to find the center of a square. They will cross at the center.
I am in the middle of a ferocious dust storm in West Texas. How I wish I already had this built! (Rest assured, I will soon)! Thanks for a very elegant, quiet, long-lasting, and economical filter option.
I built the typical 20 X 20 box fan based system using a Merv 13 filter. What a huge improvement in my indoor air quality with this simple setup. Can’t remember the last time I had to take a Zyrtec or had a sneezing fit. I’m in Florida the pollen capital of America. Looking at your setup I can’t wait to get started building mine. I want the quiet, better efficiency, and a longer period between filter changes. Thanks for making this video and including a parts list.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I was unable to find coroplast in my country in anything smaller that an 8 foot sheet, so I cut out a piece of 3mm plywood and gave it a secure backing with the cardboard from the fan box. To make it pretty, I stained the wood and covered the edges of the filters with black contact paper. I also used 6 zip ties - one on each spoke of the fan. I Threaded these through the outside of the fan grate and there is no contact with the blades.
@@HealthyHomeGuidewhich MRP filter rating did you use?? Microparticle Performance Rating. The MPR rating system bases their ratings on the pollutant size that can be filtered, ranging from 0.3 to 1 micron. 3M's MPR filter ratings range from MPR 300 -2800.
Nice attachment method! Note the AC Infinity Cloudlift S12 is expensive. It's better because of the EC motor and fine control, but that comes at a cost. For less cost an array of PC case fans is less expensive, uses even less power, and can be built with an even smaller footprint depending on configuration. Airflow is difficult to accurately measure without the proper tools. The only way I've been able to do this is with a flow capture hood on the outlet with anti-swirl grid, not any type of anemometer. An anemometer is good for velocity/throw at a distance, as it includes entrained air. In an extreme example, consider how you would measure the flow of the Dyson purifiers. They rely on entrainment to create a jet of air, yet have low particle removal (despite high filtration). The best performance test is an aerosol drawdown measurement of CADR. Takes a bit of time but can be done accurately enough even with a $40 meter if you are willing to take a video of it and transcribe the readings.
Thanks David! When it comes to fans, the phrase "you get what you pay for" is even more true than usual. The AC Infinity Cloudlift S12 delivers enough airflow (it's rated at 1807 cfm) to properly purify the air, and because it's robustly constructed, it does so quietly. Of course, yes, that comes at a $159 price tag, unfortunately. There are certainly cheaper DIY air purifiers than mine, but my point in the video is that they're too loud, among other issues. PC fans are definitely intriguing to me - I suppose you'd need multiple PC fans in a single air purifier in order to move enough air. I appreciate your point about the nuances of airflow measurement. Your CADR method sounds really intriguing! For the purposes of my experiment in this video, I think my method (anemometer, measuring average airflow across the entire fan surface across multiple trials) is sufficient for comparing the box fan and the AC infinity fan.
@@HealthyHomeGuide Personal cooling fans are tested using a method that captures velocity at a distance and converted to a flow. That's fine for an application where total air movement is needed, but it doesn't reflect the air moving through only the fan housing, so it overstates the value. The only manufacturer that seems to measure the flow through the fan housing itself is Honeywell's turbo floor fans. If you want to "calibrate" your test method using velocity, use the HF-910 floor fan which has a flow through the housing of 1050 CFM. I've confirmed that with a flow capture hood mounted to it. It's also a whole 2-3 db quieter than box fans and ends up moving more air through a CR box. Bit of a pain to construct. Most people remove the stand/legs and mount the round fan in a round opening.
@Elfstrom Fascinating! Thanks for the measurement tip. As for the Honeywell fan, that could work for some, for sure. Personally, I was aiming for more noise reduction compared to box fans than 2-3 dB, and more robust construction/higher static pressure motor. I also just don’t feel right about using a cheap fan made of soft plastic in an application like this, but I acknowledge it could certainly work.
@@David.Elfstrom Got any data on efficiency (highest cfm/watt) in the ranges demonstrated in this video? Also, isn't 3db increase a doubling of sound? I would choose low operation cost and quiet over saving a few dollars. Agreed?
@@DK-vx5co With general ventilation filters & a box fan the CADR/W is going to run about 5 Smoke CADR/W which is definitely into ENERGY STAR territory. Using a PC case fan array boosts it WAY up to 28 Smoke CADR/W, extremely efficient and quiet. PM2.5 CADR can be measured with low-cost optical particle counters, and the PM2.5 CADR/W will be ~ 30% higher than for smoke CADR/W in both types. I haven't tested using the more efficient fan shown in the video, but I expect it to be in-between box fan and PC case fan array efficiency (it's a wide gap to fill!) Yes, a 3 dB increase is a doubling, though our brain/ears don't perceive it as a doubling.
I assembled my first air filter based on these plans today. It was my first time playing with a glue gun, cutting coroplast, and tying square knots. Overall it was a good experience and I can see making more in the future. The basic principles make sense so I feel up for experimenting with it. I used the same fan and 16 inch wide filtrete filters, though the tallest 16 inch wide ones Costco had were a third smaller at 16 by 20 and Merv 14. On the bright side I was able to get four Merv 14 filters for $45. On speed 1 I can forget the fan is on. I've seen some coroplast reviews saying one batch was much flimsier than another, and I may have gotten a flimsier batch as it was bending easily even before I added the fan to it, but resting on the filters and having the clothesline to stabilize it seems to work well enough. I may need to tighten the rope more. Getting the rope/clothesline through the narrow slits on the fan and tying it was the hardest part for me and I ended up using tweezers to pull it through. I might just unscrew the cage so I can get my hands in both sides of the fan cover next time. I'm much more used to zip ties. I might experiment with either a 2nd layer of coroplast or a sheet of 3/8 inch pvc, though I really like the overall simplicity of it as it is.
I’m glad you had a good overall experience! I hadn’t heard of coroplast batches varying in terms of their malleability - that’s useful to be aware of. Let me know how zip ties end up working for you if you try them. I couldn’t get the fan blades to avoid them but maybe you’ll have better luck.
@@HealthyHomeGuide I ended up using a zip tie to cinch the rope tighter around the knot and now the fan no longer sags. drive.google.com/file/d/1L0TQDb7OzZ5TlFNMmHVQZICqbYpkLCaA/view?usp=sharing
@@HealthyHomeGuide Not so far. I'm waiting for another fan to arrive. The current one worked well once I tightened the rope using the zip tie which I then trimmed to get out of the way. Had I tightened the rope better to begin with it may not have been needed. I think the rope looks better than a zip tie would, and with the way I have it now the zip tie is only visible when taking the fan out of the filter box.
Many years ago I remember chloroplast being a packaging material at a supermarket here, in the milk section. you could take as much as you could carry.
My office uses Winix 5500 and my small bedroom has a Winix 5500. My Living room & Dinning Room has a IQair and a EnviroKlenz The IQ AIR HAS A 5 POUND charcoal filter, a pre filter plus a 2 year hepa filter. When l complete the use of these filters l will switch to your type made by me, using 3M Filtrate Merve 13-16 filters and DIY assembled + repaired by me. l have made my computers using mostly pre-owned older abandoned machines since 1985. I am a Linux fan/supporter. I love how you took off the shelf parts and solved a big wasteful problem ! 😊 Bravo.
Brilliant! Using a good QUIET fan is a game changer for the bedroom especially.I have to get over the hump of the fan being expensive, but I'm sure one nite with the other cheap box fan, and you'll be kicking yourself for just not spending the extra money for sleep/serenity sake. This has been one of the most life beneficial videos I've ever watched. THUMBS UP!!!
LOVE your design, clean looking, quiet, doesn't take a lot of space, affordable and best of all, it doesn't take various/miscellaneous tools (that most of us don't have anyway!) Thank You 🙂👍
hi, great tutorial & plan, thank you! I notice the S12 (fan) link is redirecting to the Cloudlift S14 fan, and that Amazon is no longer selling the S12, at least presently, apparently. The S12 is 12"diameter the S14 is 14" diameter. Any suggestions about re-measurements, given the fan difference? thanks again!
That is really nice. If I was going to get nit picky, I'd replace the nylon rope with polyester rope that will never stretch. Coroplast is easily cut with a multitool and J-hook blade.
I have been using the filtres for more than a week now and the fan is fantastic. Very quiet and the noise that it makes is like white noise so it is not anoying. Very good choice for the fan
I am so happy i found your page! I didnt want to spend so much money on these air purifiers. My cats are causing my daughter to have extreme allergies and i feel like this BIG air purifier will be such a big help for us! Thank you so much!!!
Just followed your build with the updated 16/25/1 size filters and substituted zip ties for the rope. Or is amazing and we have multiple other ac infinity fans and love them. Worth thr cost
Hi, I appreciate your approachable method. I've got one of those noisy box fans blowing on my woodstove and am looking for a quieter alternative. The box fan is powered by a thermostatically controlled power cord. This "works" because I leave the box fan turned on speed-1 and the thermostat triggers power once the woodstove is up to temperature. When the stove cools down, the fan shuts off. I love the setup but hate the fan! I'm wondering if the AC Infinity fan will retain its speed setting if the power is cut as I've described. Having to manually turn on or adjust the fan to a desired speed each cycle will not work for me. Thanks again!
Looks like we in Canada can only get a battery powered version of this Cloudlift fan. Also, 16 x 30 filters are hard to find. Seems like the most common are 16 x 25.
Great video, built one using all the techniques you shared…same filters and hot glue; however, while searching for the fan I found an AC infinity the same size and motor, but configured as an exhaust fan AC Infinity Airlift (AC-ALS12). It has an attached shroud that covers the filters with no fabrication. Thanks for the “how to” with the detailed instructions!
I came across you channel while doing some research on an air purifier. I like that you optimized the original design. It would be great is there was a way to determine or estimate filter life and CADR for the design.
I just finished my build, so clever to hot glue the filters together I did not have a compass, I know I have one somewhere in the house... so I use whatever I had in the kitchen and found something that was 12.75 in. with a bigger hole I was able to use tye wrap and they do not catch the fan. I was afraid that the coroplast would not be strong enough but it does hold to my surprise. Thanks for showing us that
The fan costs $200! I was not expecting that. I love the hot glue idea. Everything else looks very doable, but that fan has me wondering if there’s a less costly option. Thank you for this!
The problem is the market for EC fans for still pretty niche and when your the only one you can charge what you like.. AC infinity stuff definitely got more expensive once they moved into the growing market too
Very awesome build, my man. I plan to build this very soon, but unlike your completed product I do believe that I am going to use some tools and make an outer case to drop the whole thing into, you know, to cover up those ole ugly filters. I'm thinking just a 5-sided, somewhat ornate wooden box with the top (where the fan expels air) open. For airflow on the filter sides I'm just going to drill a cool pattern of like 200 x 11.11mm holes per 4 sides, smooth them out with a sandpaper rod. After the whole box is sanded, stained and shellacked I think I'll be left with something that won't be too ugly to sit in the living room. Maybe making like 4 similar boxed won't be too much work (1 for living room, 1 for dining/kitchen area, 1 each for 2 bedrooms). I dunno, maybe that's a bit ambitious but as of right now that seems like what I need. I've a fairly big house, open floor plan.
I like how approachable this design is. I could see using it in my attic and crawlspace as I clear out old insulation and try to minimize dust, along with inside the rest of the house when renovating. Your videos make me want to start playing with glue guns and coroplast, which I'd never considered before. I got my first home air filter in 2020 as a covid ICU nurse, The Bedroom Machine by Austin Air. It's pricey at $1000 now, but the $500+ filters which are a bit fancier than HEPA are rated to last 5 years in residential use. It's quiet and the low hum on medium speed serves as white noise while we sleep. One problem is that it's too pricey for me to get multiple of them and it would feel like a waste to put one in a dusty attic. I eventually got a $200 coway airmega for our guest bedroom and another for our living room since they were well reviewed. Lately I've noticed a bigger difference in air quality from bringing in fresh air so I'm working on doing more of that now, while continuing to filter what I can. I finally ordered a Broan AI ERV along with larger inline filters and am looking forward to getting it installed over the next month or two.
Your comments are always great! So glad to hear that you feel this design is approachable - it should be PERFECT for insulation/dust capture given its high airflow and the particle sizes in question. I love Austin Air. I had a Healthmate a while back - they’re cheaper at $715 USD right now. Nice, yeah! I feel that ventilating with humidity controlled/filtered fresh air is the most impactful way to improve IAQ (that plus dehumidifying in warmer months of course). My air purifiers that are close to my ERV supply barely get dirty, it’s crazy. So cool to hear that you ordered the Broan AI!
IQ Air MultiGas with Hyper HEPA purchased in 2006 to neutralize paint, varnish, wood stain and varnish VOC's of a new home build along with toxic reclaimed water mist from choosing a lot on the 18th Fairway of a Golf Course downstream of a leaching dioxin (2, 4-5 DT aka Agent Orange) Superfund Site that was never completely remediated.
This is great! I just ordered materials to build three, but with a twist: ALL BLACK & with carbon filters :) I know you commented that a thin prefilter won’t do much, but I can’t resist for aesthetic purposes. The prefilter will grab dog hair too. I found on Amazon some “Cut-to-fit Activated Carbon Filter Sheets” that are 16” by 48” and 0.4” thick. Cut in half, two sheets should cover the 16”x25” filter box I am building. I assume that the frame of the filters are at least 1/2” thick, making the interior height 24”, but I can bridge any gaps with tape. Six sheets total for three boxes is a decent volume of carbon (~0.6 cubic feet), and might actually do something, but I don’t have many VOCs so it’s just a bit of peace of mind :) The 3M 16x25 MERV-14 (2500MPR) filters I found have black frames, and I have found black coroplast and some black paracord as well. I even found black hot glue sticks. Can’t wait to see how they turn out.
I am going to build one similar to yours, but I do have tools so I might use a piece of walnut for the top. I think a person could blow out the filter from the inside with compressed air like mechanics do to automotive air cleaners
Just built mine with a few modifications. Used a sheet of clear acrylic for the top. Cut the opening so that the fan sits on top of lid. I used foil tape to keep the filters connected. Added a line of foam tape to the top of the filters. Love the fan and remote. I think that’s the key.
Nice, that sounds like it could work! Although since the fan is resting on TOP of the clear acrylic, just make sure the fan isn’t pulling air from above the acrylic (unfiltered).
Just bought the fan but was also thinking about resting the fan on the lid. Did you test to see if it’s pulling air in from above the acrylic? Thank you!
Hi, why are you pointing the airflow upward? When I built a box fan type of version and pointed it upward for my garage to do woodworking there was the wood dust everywhere, so I had to point it down into the box. Isn't it pointing it down going to ensure that you have more air flow going into it with a dust particles?
Nice build instructions. One question though. Would it not be better to turn the filters around an have the airflow through the filter from the inside out, this way capturing all particles inside the box? Maybe you need to close the box at the bottom as well then using a piece of coroplast.
Thank you! For air purifiers the fan should be blowing upwards, for two reasons: 1.) If you blow air downward into the box, there's a lot of turbulence that reduces the air flow rate. 2.) By pulling air through the filters before it hits the fan, the fan will stay cleaner.
We're using the Winix Zero 4 Stage Air Purifier - AUS-1050AZBU in my bedroom in Melbourne Australia. I like it shows air quality indicators like blue for good, orange for okay and red for bad. And auto night mode.
@@HealthyHomeGuide I'll go a diy version this summer like yours because we have lots of wildfires and planned burnoffs in Australia each year. So wildfire smoke is a big issue for us here. I'm sounding like a prepper now but I work from home so I want to be some from poor air quality all year round.
@MatthewBayard hahah I’ve been sounding like a prepper too. We’re just informed about the very real environmental health hazards in 2023, right!? In Vermont USA we’ve definitely had wildfire smoke as well. I work from home too.
It's also significantly better than this DIY model at purifying the air. You made a good choice. But for larger particles the DIY option is good, but it's going to miss most/all the smaller particulates.
Is there anyway to build an outer shell to the filters to make them look a bit nicer in a room (without affecting the performance). If so what material would you suggest to use?
Cool design and I hadn't thought of that advantage of hot glue. My box fan isn't nearly that loud though. I've got mine near my bed and six feet away I'm reading 35 dB (on low) - 50 dB (on high). Lasko 20" from Walmart.
I’m thinking of ways to make the purifier more “invisible,” even if that’s at the cost of CADR/CFM. Taking the PC fan idea from Clean Air Kits, what if we turned an empty PC case into a purifier? I’m not sure about the specifics, but you’d need some fans and a fan controller powered by a barrel connector or similar. Then you seal the gaps in the case and replace the side panel with a filter mount. Thoughts?
Great design, I see for any Costco members that now through Feb 25th you can get the 4 pack of 3M MPR 2500 MERV 14 filters 16x25x1”for $50. About 5 inches shorter than the design here, but a higher filtration level. Was wondering what brought you to use the AC Infinity fan? I am wondering if the Dreo 11” air circulator would also work with this design (if it can be removed from its pedestal). Could save some cost there without sacrificing on noise control.
Awesome tip with the Costco MERV-14 filter deal! Fantastic question. I actually have two Dreo fans and they’re the best circulation fans I’ve ever owned by a long shot. Unfortunately, the power for Dreo fans plugs into the stand itself, so even if one was able to remove the fan from the stand, it couldn’t be powered. The power for AC infinity fans comes right out of the fan motor itself. That was one reason I used AC infinity. The main reason was that AC infinity fans are the quietest and most powerful I’ve tried. Also, AC infinity seems to have the best reputation among fan companies if you read hundreds of reviews across different sites. They’re expensive, and they’re robust. Honestly, I like Dreo fans even better. I wish Dreo could be more feasibly used in this application.
My thoughts on activated carbon filters can be summarized by this quote from an article by HVAC engineer Joey Fox: "Carbon filters can potentially be effective if sized properly. However, air cleaners rarely provide equivalent outdoor air delivery rates for the carbon filters. They also become saturated over time and would then become ineffective. Unfortunately, many portable air cleaners do not provide clear information on the longevity and effectiveness of their carbon filters. While carbon filters are a harmless feature, they may not necessarily deliver the desired results. Additionally, carbon filters do not remove particulate matter which includes airborne diseases. Therefore, they have no impact on addressing health concerns related to viruses or other particulate matter. In general, when dealing with VOCs and odors, the most effective approach is through ventilation by supplying fresh outdoor air to the space."
@@HealthyHomeGuide pretty much I agree with you. However when the outdoor air is polluted with forest fire smoke, charcoal filters help absorb gas pollutants. It’s not as effective as filters that are designed for a specific family of toxins but helps. Especially since houses are not air tight and smoke seeps inside. Charcoal filters are not like mechanical filters, gas absorption is random , which means running air over and over will gradually reduce the toxins. At least while the charcoal is still effective. For those people sensitive to the gaseous toxins, every little bit helps, especially if you’re trapped inside a house or restricted to a couple rooms within a house. We don’t mind changing out charcoal filters as needed. Just looking for ideas
Thanks! For air purifiers the fan should be blowing upwards, for two reasons: 1.) If you blow air downward into the box, there's a lot of turbulence that reduces the air flow rate. 2.) By pulling air through the filters before it hits the fan, the fan will stay cleaner.
I did it! I just had to get a circuit boosting usb connection to boost the fans from 5V to 12V, I then connected them through the USB to a 34w power adapter which could be set to 12V.
The Cloudlift s12 has been out of stock for quite a while, at least for the Canadian market. I placed and confirmed an order for one and a week later the supplier Astral Grow called me to say they actually don't have any but they can order me an s14 instead for a comparable price - great service! Does anyone have any thoughts on fitting the the s14 fan with this slim design? I still havent confirmed the full diameter of the cage as 14 inches is the fans themselves. I aready received my 16" filters from Costco. I might have to return them and get 20inchers instead which would suck a little aince the 16" design is so sleek!!
Just curious... What happens if you flip the fan direction so it's basically a vacuum cleaner? I get that you are drastically reducing surface area on the suction side, but also you're not recirculating particles that are above the unit and blown away.
For air purifiers the fan should be blowing upwards, for two reasons: 1.) If you blow air downward into the box, there's a lot of turbulence that reduces the air flow rate. 2.) By pulling air through the filters before it hits the fan, the fan will stay cleaner.
I have a Bissell Air220. The HEPA filters are $25 and come with activated carbon. I replace them every six months. How often do these DIY need to be replaced, because currently on Amazon it would cost me $84 instead of $25 per six months.
I may do this. Might get some sticky paper in white from a crafts store like Hobby Lobby or Michaels. That would cover the corners to make it a bit more presentable.
I love this walkthrough and very insightful information. I have to wonder if there is a different fan out there though. The AC s12 is $170 on amazon, plus the Filtrete branded filters are $130 for a 6 pack since I can't find a 4 pack. I guess the reality is what it is for the cost if filtering air but dang thats a lot. Never mind the rest of the items you need. I'm checking out other similar types of fans. But the great thing about the AC is the 10 speed and remote. The others are mostly 3 speed for around $50.
Do you live in the US? At the link in my description, there's a 4-pack of filters for $71. If not, my apologies. As for the AC infinity fan, it is expensive, yup. But it is definitely the quietest fan i've tried.
It should, yes. Microplastics are just fine and ultrafine particles, which the research I discussed in this video shows that MERV-13 air purifiers can capture.
Would it be possible to have it on the ceiling, but upside down.. this would save floor space and could even add a nice breeze down to someone in bed or at a desk, if they wanted. What do you guys think?
Air purifiers also have a carbon filter for smells in the air. Do you have a recommendation for carbon filters? Would it be best to add them on the outside or inside of the unit?
Despite the claims some companies make, no air purifier is particularly effective at removing odors/gases. Air purifiers are designed to remove particulate, not gases, which are extremely small - even smaller than particulate. Some air purifiers have activated carbon in them, which can capture SOME odors/gases in smaller quantities and for shorter periods of time, but then they saturate and are ineffective. And by the way, you need a big, heavy block of carbon to actually capture a significant amount of gas. A thin carbon prefilter won't do much. There's a reason why air purifier companies don't share metrics about gas removal. It's not nearly an exact science. For reducing odors/gases, source control (removing the source of the odor/gas) is best. If that's not possible, ventilation (bringing outdoor air inside) is the next best, to dilute the concentration of the indoor odor/gas. Best way to do this is with an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). Think about it. It's intuitive - what's the best way to freshen a stuffy, smelly house? Fresh air.
Thanks a lot bro for sharing this priceless info. for all the ppl that have mold sickness problem i recomend some natural antihistaminic products:quercentin with bromelain,butterbur,stinging nettle root extract,zeolit,natural carbon pills and psyllium husk take 2000 mg/day of the first 3 products mentioned above if the problem is very bad every morning with some peanut butter.also try to reduce eating histamine foods like pineaple,mango,pickles etc. good health to everybody!!!
Hi folks! I wanted to address a recurring question about why this design doesn't have activated carbon:
Despite the claims some companies make, no air purifier is particularly effective at removing odors/gases. Air purifiers are designed to remove particulate, not gases. Some air purifiers have activated carbon in them, which can capture SOME odors/gases in smaller quantities and for shorter periods of time, but then they saturate and are ineffective. And by the way, you need a big, heavy block of carbon to actually capture a significant amount of gas. A thin carbon prefilter won't do much. There's a reason why air purifier companies don't share metrics about gas removal. It's not nearly an exact science.
For reducing odors/gases, source control (removing the source of the odor/gas) is best. If that's not possible, ventilation (bringing outdoor air inside) is the next best, to dilute the concentration of the indoor odor/gas. Best way to do this is with an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). Think about it. It's intuitive - what's the best way to freshen a stuffy, smelly house? Fresh air.
Also, here’s a minor improvement to one of the steps in the video: it would be easier to find the center of the coroplast square by drawing diagonal lines from corner to corner and marking where they intersect: ☒. You don’t need to buy the T-square if you already have a straight-edge that can measure 2 feet.
How about a link to the Coloplast fan please .
have you had to change the filter yet? if so, how long did it last?
@@danielkaylor8395 link in the video description
Fan: AC Infinity CLOUDLIFT S12 (not Cloudline)
A chalked line can be snapped then you don't need a straight edge or pencil
Hello! Now that it's 10 months later, is there anything else you would change about this design? I've noted:
1. The way to find the center
2. 16x25x1 instead of 16x30x1 filters
3. Possibly using pc fans (I'm doing the ac infinity because I want a higher amount of airflow available during fires and I don't have a lot of free time to make the cutouts fit)
Edit: I have had this for a month and it's great! I would recommend tying down all 4 corners and adding foam weather sealing to the shroud. My filters were not perfectly straight or level so this helped fill the gaps.
A note about noise measurements: Because it's a log scale you can't do straight arithmetic for either addition or subtraction. You must first take the antilog of each number, subtract, then take the log. For example: 62 dB minus 29 dB background is still 62 dB, because the difference is so small it doesn't even register. If you had 36 dB and subtracted 29 dB, the net noise of the fan is 35 dB.
Ah, thank you David.
i wish i knew what this meant lmao..
😄 me too no idea what he's talking bout
He's just saying for noise measurements, you can't simply subtract one number from the other by the way the math works.
@@growersplus IIRC 20dB is 10x louder than 10dB. Every 10 is a x10 scale change in volume, not a +10.
You can prolong the life of the filters by adding a pre-filter to catch large-particle dust, made of fine mesh window screen or nylon Noseeum netting that can be vacuumed or removed and washed.
Yup! I was actually planning on doing that with aesthetically-pleasing thin fabric. Maybe someday. Although it’s a whole thing learning how to create a fabric sheath that fits over an air purifier.
@@HealthyHomeGuide White noseeum netting worked well. I just tacked on rectangles of it with Scotch magic tape. It holds well enough to suck onto the filter and stay in place when I vacuum it, or peels off easily enough to remove it for washing
Would like to see this demo’ed!
Isnt window screen made with fiberglass?
You can also buy window screen in aluminum
This is the only video that mentions an EC fan. The noise reduction is a huge deal, thanks for that.
PSA - Costco has great prices on Filtrete (3M) filters.
Absolutely, I have no idea why other creators tend not to take this into account!
Great tip about Costco - I have one right nearby. I might have to make a trip there hehe. Or buy online.
They go on sale several times a year.
Other creators don't because their focus is usually about cost and those fans are heckaspensive. I'm not against it. Maybe I'll do it in a few months but that's why they don't.
Hot glue and different form factor. You’ve really contributed something to the air cleaner discussion on UA-cam. I think your method is what I’ll use going forward.
Nice. I’m still using my air cleaner and it’s proven effective.
@@HealthyHomeGuide I made mine a month ago and it's changed how I feel in the shop. I didn't realize how itchy I was until I started aggressively filtering the air.
@@gte717v that’s awesome to hear that it’s protecting you.
@@HealthyHomeGuidewhich MRP rating filter did you use..300-2800...higher numbers indicating that the filter can capture more microparticles, such as pollen, pet dander, smoke, bacteria, and viruses. Some say that the best filters have an MPR between 1,500 and 1,900. However, it's not recommended to use filters that are too strong, as they can increase energy costs, reduce airflow, and make heating and air conditioning less effective.
@@HealthyHomeGuide
How about FILTERBUY brand??
Living on the west coast with all the wildfires right now, this will be incredibly useful!
Absolutely! I was hoping that people would use it for that.
You should weigh the filters after assembly and weigh them agin when you go to replace them to see how much particulate theyve removed. Would be a cool stat to see
Great idea. I'll do that for the next one I build!
Cool, let us know what you end up with.
Great instructions. This is the least complication and beautiful I've see on you tube.
I should have paid attention in geometry class. Who knew I would need it to make a circle for an air purifier one day.
That makes my day to hear that you found my instructions clear! I totally agree with you, I never thought I’d be using a compass in daily life haha
@@HealthyHomeGuide You know that simply drawing a line from corner to corner diagonally is a simpler way to find the center of a square. They will cross at the center.
I am in the middle of a ferocious dust storm in West Texas. How I wish I already had this built! (Rest assured, I will soon)! Thanks for a very elegant, quiet, long-lasting, and economical filter option.
I appreciate that you understand what I was trying to do here. Good luck!
@@HealthyHomeGuide Without overthinking it, just weigh the entire assembly before, during, and after.
I built the typical 20 X 20 box fan based system using a Merv 13 filter. What a huge improvement in my indoor air quality with this simple setup. Can’t remember the last time I had to take a Zyrtec or had a sneezing fit. I’m in Florida the pollen capital of America. Looking at your setup I can’t wait to get started building mine. I want the quiet, better efficiency, and a longer period between filter changes. Thanks for making this video and including a parts list.
Happy to do it! Thanks for your comment :)
Thank you so much for sharing this. I was unable to find coroplast in my country in anything smaller that an 8 foot sheet, so I cut out a piece of 3mm plywood and gave it a secure backing with the cardboard from the fan box. To make it pretty, I stained the wood and covered the edges of the filters with black contact paper. I also used 6 zip ties - one on each spoke of the fan. I Threaded these through the outside of the fan grate and there is no contact with the blades.
Glad you found it useful! Thanks for sharing your approach, sounds great.
zip ties seems like a good idea ...
@@HealthyHomeGuidewhich MRP filter rating did you use?? Microparticle Performance Rating. The MPR rating system bases their ratings on the pollutant size that can be filtered, ranging from 0.3 to 1 micron. 3M's MPR filter ratings range from MPR 300 -2800.
Nice attachment method! Note the AC Infinity Cloudlift S12 is expensive. It's better because of the EC motor and fine control, but that comes at a cost. For less cost an array of PC case fans is less expensive, uses even less power, and can be built with an even smaller footprint depending on configuration.
Airflow is difficult to accurately measure without the proper tools. The only way I've been able to do this is with a flow capture hood on the outlet with anti-swirl grid, not any type of anemometer. An anemometer is good for velocity/throw at a distance, as it includes entrained air. In an extreme example, consider how you would measure the flow of the Dyson purifiers. They rely on entrainment to create a jet of air, yet have low particle removal (despite high filtration). The best performance test is an aerosol drawdown measurement of CADR. Takes a bit of time but can be done accurately enough even with a $40 meter if you are willing to take a video of it and transcribe the readings.
Thanks David! When it comes to fans, the phrase "you get what you pay for" is even more true than usual. The AC Infinity Cloudlift S12 delivers enough airflow (it's rated at 1807 cfm) to properly purify the air, and because it's robustly constructed, it does so quietly. Of course, yes, that comes at a $159 price tag, unfortunately. There are certainly cheaper DIY air purifiers than mine, but my point in the video is that they're too loud, among other issues.
PC fans are definitely intriguing to me - I suppose you'd need multiple PC fans in a single air purifier in order to move enough air.
I appreciate your point about the nuances of airflow measurement. Your CADR method sounds really intriguing! For the purposes of my experiment in this video, I think my method (anemometer, measuring average airflow across the entire fan surface across multiple trials) is sufficient for comparing the box fan and the AC infinity fan.
@@HealthyHomeGuide Personal cooling fans are tested using a method that captures velocity at a distance and converted to a flow. That's fine for an application where total air movement is needed, but it doesn't reflect the air moving through only the fan housing, so it overstates the value. The only manufacturer that seems to measure the flow through the fan housing itself is Honeywell's turbo floor fans. If you want to "calibrate" your test method using velocity, use the HF-910 floor fan which has a flow through the housing of 1050 CFM. I've confirmed that with a flow capture hood mounted to it. It's also a whole 2-3 db quieter than box fans and ends up moving more air through a CR box. Bit of a pain to construct. Most people remove the stand/legs and mount the round fan in a round opening.
@Elfstrom Fascinating! Thanks for the measurement tip.
As for the Honeywell fan, that could work for some, for sure. Personally, I was aiming for more noise reduction compared to box fans than 2-3 dB, and more robust construction/higher static pressure motor. I also just don’t feel right about using a cheap fan made of soft plastic in an application like this, but I acknowledge it could certainly work.
@@David.Elfstrom Got any data on efficiency (highest cfm/watt) in the ranges demonstrated in this video? Also, isn't 3db increase a doubling of sound? I would choose low operation cost and quiet over saving a few dollars. Agreed?
@@DK-vx5co With general ventilation filters & a box fan the CADR/W is going to run about 5 Smoke CADR/W which is definitely into ENERGY STAR territory. Using a PC case fan array boosts it WAY up to 28 Smoke CADR/W, extremely efficient and quiet. PM2.5 CADR can be measured with low-cost optical particle counters, and the PM2.5 CADR/W will be ~ 30% higher than for smoke CADR/W in both types.
I haven't tested using the more efficient fan shown in the video, but I expect it to be in-between box fan and PC case fan array efficiency (it's a wide gap to fill!)
Yes, a 3 dB increase is a doubling, though our brain/ears don't perceive it as a doubling.
I assembled my first air filter based on these plans today. It was my first time playing with a glue gun, cutting coroplast, and tying square knots. Overall it was a good experience and I can see making more in the future. The basic principles make sense so I feel up for experimenting with it. I used the same fan and 16 inch wide filtrete filters, though the tallest 16 inch wide ones Costco had were a third smaller at 16 by 20 and Merv 14. On the bright side I was able to get four Merv 14 filters for $45. On speed 1 I can forget the fan is on.
I've seen some coroplast reviews saying one batch was much flimsier than another, and I may have gotten a flimsier batch as it was bending easily even before I added the fan to it, but resting on the filters and having the clothesline to stabilize it seems to work well enough. I may need to tighten the rope more. Getting the rope/clothesline through the narrow slits on the fan and tying it was the hardest part for me and I ended up using tweezers to pull it through. I might just unscrew the cage so I can get my hands in both sides of the fan cover next time. I'm much more used to zip ties. I might experiment with either a 2nd layer of coroplast or a sheet of 3/8 inch pvc, though I really like the overall simplicity of it as it is.
I’m glad you had a good overall experience! I hadn’t heard of coroplast batches varying in terms of their malleability - that’s useful to be aware of. Let me know how zip ties end up working for you if you try them. I couldn’t get the fan blades to avoid them but maybe you’ll have better luck.
@@HealthyHomeGuide I ended up using a zip tie to cinch the rope tighter around the knot and now the fan no longer sags. drive.google.com/file/d/1L0TQDb7OzZ5TlFNMmHVQZICqbYpkLCaA/view?usp=sharing
Interesting, thank you! Did you try using a zip tie to fix the coroplast to the fan instead of using a rope?
@@HealthyHomeGuide Not so far. I'm waiting for another fan to arrive. The current one worked well once I tightened the rope using the zip tie which I then trimmed to get out of the way. Had I tightened the rope better to begin with it may not have been needed. I think the rope looks better than a zip tie would, and with the way I have it now the zip tie is only visible when taking the fan out of the filter box.
@@NurseAcrobat That makes sense, thanks!
Wow, Adrian Brody is not only a great actor but also makes really helpful instructional videos.
😂 That’s one celebrity comparison that I don’t mind one bit!
and he has a pretty hot gf! Well done sir!
Having the wattage ratings for each setting would have made this 12 out of 10! Great video, going to copy this design!
I really like that the chloroplast can be changed out to fit available filters. I get mine at habitat stores very cheaply.
Yup, me too!
Many years ago I remember chloroplast being a packaging material at a supermarket here, in the milk section. you could take as much as you could carry.
My office uses Winix 5500 and my small bedroom has a Winix 5500. My Living room & Dinning Room has a IQair and a EnviroKlenz The IQ AIR HAS A 5 POUND charcoal filter, a pre filter plus a 2 year hepa filter. When l complete the use of these filters l will switch to your type made by me, using 3M Filtrate Merve 13-16 filters and DIY assembled + repaired by me. l have made my computers using mostly pre-owned older abandoned machines since 1985. I am a Linux fan/supporter. I love how you took off the shelf parts and solved a big wasteful problem ! 😊 Bravo.
Brilliant! Using a good QUIET fan is a game changer for the bedroom especially.I have to get over the hump of the fan being expensive, but I'm sure one nite with the other cheap box fan, and you'll be kicking yourself for just not spending the extra money for sleep/serenity sake. This has been one of the most life beneficial videos I've ever watched. THUMBS UP!!!
I'm so glad to hear it was so beneficial! Thank you!
LOVE your design, clean looking, quiet, doesn't take a lot of space, affordable and best of all, it doesn't take various/miscellaneous tools (that most of us don't have anyway!) Thank You 🙂👍
Glad you like it 😊 well said!
Just got finished building this purifier and I like everything about it! Thanks for the tutorial. Shoe laces work really well for tying down the fan.
That's great to hear! I'm still using mine :)
I like this design! I am going to build a wood design around simething like this and sound absorbtion.
Nice, good luck!
hi, great tutorial & plan, thank you! I notice the S12 (fan) link is redirecting to the Cloudlift S14 fan, and that Amazon is no longer selling the S12, at least presently, apparently. The S12 is 12"diameter the S14 is 14" diameter. Any suggestions about re-measurements, given the fan difference? thanks again!
Thank goodness I found your channel while researching for air purifiers! I’m making my own now.
Nice :)
Very clever. Sometimes the best designs a the most basic ones. I am definitely going to give this a try!
Agreed! Thanks very much.
Totally agree
That is really nice. If I was going to get nit picky, I'd replace the nylon rope with polyester rope that will never stretch.
Coroplast is easily cut with a multitool and J-hook blade.
I have been using the filtres for more than a week now and the fan is fantastic. Very quiet and the noise that it makes is like white noise so it is not anoying.
Very good choice for the fan
Yup, I love this fan!
I am so happy i found your page! I didnt want to spend so much money on these air purifiers. My cats are causing my daughter to have extreme allergies and i feel like this BIG air purifier will be such a big help for us! Thank you so much!!!
Glad I could help!
Just followed your build with the updated 16/25/1 size filters and substituted zip ties for the rope. Or is amazing and we have multiple other ac infinity fans and love them. Worth thr cost
Awesome! So zip ties worked for you? What size did you use?
Is there an alternative to the AC infinity fan? It appears to be out of stock at the moment.
Just found it at AC infinity with 10 percent off and actake10 takes another 10 percent off, with free shipping. paid $161
It seems to be back in stock.
@@HealthyHomeGuide was probably out of stock because of your video 🤣
Thank you. Building mine as I type.
I love to hear it! Mine are still running to this day.
Thanks for the guide. Do you know if this helps with (cigarette) smoke smell? I'm wondering if it gets/stays smelly quickly
You earned a sub and saved me money and time and frustration i had to go with corporate air purifiers
Awesome!
You did earn my subscription! Holy cow! the amount of work you must have put into editing this video. Thank you for providing so much value!
That's very kind, thank you!
Hi, I appreciate your approachable method. I've got one of those noisy box fans blowing on my woodstove and am looking for a quieter alternative. The box fan is powered by a thermostatically controlled power cord. This "works" because I leave the box fan turned on speed-1 and the thermostat triggers power once the woodstove is up to temperature. When the stove cools down, the fan shuts off. I love the setup but hate the fan! I'm wondering if the AC Infinity fan will retain its speed setting if the power is cut as I've described. Having to manually turn on or adjust the fan to a desired speed each cycle will not work for me. Thanks again!
Great design! I'm glad I was already subscribed to your channel! Thank you for the new better design and your research!
You're very welcome! I'm glad you dig it. Thank you for being subscribed.
Looks like we in Canada can only get a battery powered version of this Cloudlift fan.
Also, 16 x 30 filters are hard to find. Seems like the most common are 16 x 25.
Great video, built one using all the techniques you shared…same filters and hot glue; however, while searching for the fan I found an AC infinity the same size and motor, but configured as an exhaust fan AC Infinity Airlift (AC-ALS12). It has an attached shroud that covers the filters with no fabrication. Thanks for the “how to” with the detailed instructions!
Thanks for the info! Glad you found this video useful.
that looks like a great fan to use for this application. What size filters did you use to mate to the fan shroud?
The same ones Alex highlighted in this video (3M 16x30 1” merv 13)…made a very simple and neat looking setup.
@@kayandclay1979 So all you had to do was assemble the filters, right? Nice
Yes, just followed the steps As Alex described, other than the Airlift AC-ALS12 exhaust fan.
This is brilliant! I want to build one now..
I love when I stumble onto a highly contested sub community
I came across you channel while doing some research on an air purifier. I like that you optimized the original design. It would be great is there was a way to determine or estimate filter life and CADR for the design.
Awesome, thank you! Working on it.
I just finished my build, so clever to hot glue the filters together
I did not have a compass, I know I have one somewhere in the house... so I use whatever I had in the kitchen and found something that was 12.75 in.
with a bigger hole I was able to use tye wrap and they do not catch the fan.
I was afraid that the coroplast would not be strong enough but it does hold to my surprise.
Thanks for showing us that
Sounds great!
The fan costs $200! I was not expecting that. I love the hot glue idea. Everything else looks very doable, but that fan has me wondering if there’s a less costly option. Thank you for this!
Yeah, a $200 remote control fan? Seems like you should be able to find something that would work okay for much less money.
Compare prices with HEPA filters.
Did you find anything better?
The problem is the market for EC fans for still pretty niche and when your the only one you can charge what you like.. AC infinity stuff definitely got more expensive once they moved into the growing market too
Can’t we use a few PC fans?
Very awesome build, my man. I plan to build this very soon, but unlike your completed product I do believe that I am going to use some tools and make an outer case to drop the whole thing into, you know, to cover up those ole ugly filters. I'm thinking just a 5-sided, somewhat ornate wooden box with the top (where the fan expels air) open. For airflow on the filter sides I'm just going to drill a cool pattern of like 200 x 11.11mm holes per 4 sides, smooth them out with a sandpaper rod. After the whole box is sanded, stained and shellacked I think I'll be left with something that won't be too ugly to sit in the living room. Maybe making like 4 similar boxed won't be too much work (1 for living room, 1 for dining/kitchen area, 1 each for 2 bedrooms). I dunno, maybe that's a bit ambitious but as of right now that seems like what I need. I've a fairly big house, open floor plan.
Sounds like an awesome design!
Hello Alex, I stumbled upon your video after buying air purifier without any understanding. Thank you for the eye opening and informative videos. 🙏
Happy to help! Welcome.
I like how approachable this design is. I could see using it in my attic and crawlspace as I clear out old insulation and try to minimize dust, along with inside the rest of the house when renovating. Your videos make me want to start playing with glue guns and coroplast, which I'd never considered before.
I got my first home air filter in 2020 as a covid ICU nurse, The Bedroom Machine by Austin Air. It's pricey at $1000 now, but the $500+ filters which are a bit fancier than HEPA are rated to last 5 years in residential use. It's quiet and the low hum on medium speed serves as white noise while we sleep. One problem is that it's too pricey for me to get multiple of them and it would feel like a waste to put one in a dusty attic. I eventually got a $200 coway airmega for our guest bedroom and another for our living room since they were well reviewed.
Lately I've noticed a bigger difference in air quality from bringing in fresh air so I'm working on doing more of that now, while continuing to filter what I can. I finally ordered a Broan AI ERV along with larger inline filters and am looking forward to getting it installed over the next month or two.
Your comments are always great! So glad to hear that you feel this design is approachable - it should be PERFECT for insulation/dust capture given its high airflow and the particle sizes in question.
I love Austin Air. I had a Healthmate a while back - they’re cheaper at $715 USD right now.
Nice, yeah! I feel that ventilating with humidity controlled/filtered fresh air is the most impactful way to improve IAQ (that plus dehumidifying in warmer months of course). My air purifiers that are close to my ERV supply barely get dirty, it’s crazy. So cool to hear that you ordered the Broan AI!
IQ Air MultiGas with Hyper HEPA purchased in 2006 to neutralize paint, varnish, wood stain and varnish VOC's of a new home build along with toxic reclaimed water mist from choosing a lot on the 18th Fairway of a Golf Course downstream of a leaching dioxin (2, 4-5 DT aka Agent Orange) Superfund Site that was never completely remediated.
I'm looking at an MCAS diagnosis and thank god I found you.
I feel you! I'm super sensitive as well. Welcome, and let me know if you have any questions.
This is great! I just ordered materials to build three, but with a twist: ALL BLACK & with carbon filters :) I know you commented that a thin prefilter won’t do much, but I can’t resist for aesthetic purposes. The prefilter will grab dog hair too.
I found on Amazon some “Cut-to-fit Activated Carbon Filter Sheets” that are 16” by 48” and 0.4” thick. Cut in half, two sheets should cover the 16”x25” filter box I am building. I assume that the frame of the filters are at least 1/2” thick, making the interior height 24”, but I can bridge any gaps with tape. Six sheets total for three boxes is a decent volume of carbon (~0.6 cubic feet), and might actually do something, but I don’t have many VOCs so it’s just a bit of peace of mind :)
The 3M 16x25 MERV-14 (2500MPR) filters I found have black frames, and I have found black coroplast and some black paracord as well. I even found black hot glue sticks. Can’t wait to see how they turn out.
Thanks for all you've done on these videos! Saved a lot!
Glad to help!
What would you think about adding a UV light inside hanging down from the fan with just a base socket for the bulb to screw into?
I am going to build one similar to yours, but I do have tools so I might use a piece of walnut for the top. I think a person could blow out the filter from the inside with compressed air like mechanics do to automotive air cleaners
Just built mine with a few modifications. Used a sheet of clear acrylic for the top. Cut the opening so that the fan sits on top of lid. I used foil tape to keep the filters connected. Added a line of foam tape to the top of the filters. Love the fan and remote. I think that’s the key.
Nice, that sounds like it could work! Although since the fan is resting on TOP of the clear acrylic, just make sure the fan isn’t pulling air from above the acrylic (unfiltered).
Just bought the fan but was also thinking about resting the fan on the lid. Did you test to see if it’s pulling air in from above the acrylic? Thank you!
Your design! This is My design! I made this back in 2018!
Hi, why are you pointing the airflow upward? When I built a box fan type of version and pointed it upward for my garage to do woodworking there was the wood dust everywhere, so I had to point it down into the box.
Isn't it pointing it down going to ensure that you have more air flow going into it with a dust particles?
Great video! What do you think about ionizers and/or UV lights to remove mold spores?
hell yeah, just subscribed! You saved me from buying a new HEPA filter today. Glad I found your channel. Many blessings!
I love to hear that, thank you so much!
Nice build instructions. One question though. Would it not be better to turn the filters around an have the airflow through the filter from the inside out, this way capturing all particles inside the box? Maybe you need to close the box at the bottom as well then using a piece of coroplast.
Thank you! For air purifiers the fan should be blowing upwards, for two reasons:
1.) If you blow air downward into the box, there's a lot of turbulence that reduces the air flow rate.
2.) By pulling air through the filters before it hits the fan, the fan will stay cleaner.
We're using the Winix Zero 4 Stage Air Purifier - AUS-1050AZBU in my bedroom in Melbourne Australia. I like it shows air quality indicators like blue for good, orange for okay and red for bad. And auto night mode.
Thank you! Looks really cool. It’s always interesting to me to hear what countries other than my own are using as far as healthy home tech.
@@HealthyHomeGuide I'll go a diy version this summer like yours because we have lots of wildfires and planned burnoffs in Australia each year. So wildfire smoke is a big issue for us here. I'm sounding like a prepper now but I work from home so I want to be some from poor air quality all year round.
@MatthewBayard hahah I’ve been sounding like a prepper too. We’re just informed about the very real environmental health hazards in 2023, right!? In Vermont USA we’ve definitely had wildfire smoke as well. I work from home too.
It's also significantly better than this DIY model at purifying the air. You made a good choice. But for larger particles the DIY option is good, but it's going to miss most/all the smaller particulates.
@@santiagodracoThey just need to add a charcoal filter for that. It will trap smaller particles that. There is also good panels that are 3 in 1
Are the small Levoits a waste of money then?
Will one of those that you made cover a 2 story house or shoould i make multiple?
This is the most smart DIY air filter that I ever saw. Thank you for sharing your witsdom.
That's very kind, thank you.
Can you tell me how you check if there is dust on the filter, like how do you tell that its collecting visible dust & particulate matter?
Great design I was thinking about making it with the fan is about 160 unfortunately too high for my budget right now
Thank you sir, sterling work here, greetings from Merseyside UK 🇬🇧
You are very welcome! I love to hear that folks from the UK are watching.
Thanks for the great information, from the very dirty Philippines.
Glad it was helpful!
I live in Brazil and finding appropriate air filters to build this has been difficult
Excellent how to! Thanks very much!
Wishing you great success on your media adventures.
Is there anyway to build an outer shell to the filters to make them look a bit nicer in a room (without affecting the performance). If so what material would you suggest to use?
Amazing design and easy to replicate
Love to hear it :)
LOTS OF LOVE FROM INDIA
I appreciate you!
Where do you get the merv 13 filters in india?
How did you measure the CFM noise levels? I see no instruments there.
Cool design and I hadn't thought of that advantage of hot glue. My box fan isn't nearly that loud though. I've got mine near my bed and six feet away I'm reading 35 dB (on low) - 50 dB (on high). Lasko 20" from Walmart.
I’m thinking of ways to make the purifier more “invisible,” even if that’s at the cost of CADR/CFM. Taking the PC fan idea from Clean Air Kits, what if we turned an empty PC case into a purifier?
I’m not sure about the specifics, but you’d need some fans and a fan controller powered by a barrel connector or similar. Then you seal the gaps in the case and replace the side panel with a filter mount. Thoughts?
Just seeing this video, Amazon owes you some money cause the price on that fan spiked $30 around the time you released this video.
Damn right.
Supply and demand algorithms. If any product suddenly changes in demand the price gets adjusted in real time..
Great design, I see for any Costco members that now through Feb 25th you can get the 4 pack of 3M MPR 2500 MERV 14 filters 16x25x1”for $50. About 5 inches shorter than the design here, but a higher filtration level.
Was wondering what brought you to use the AC Infinity fan? I am wondering if the Dreo 11” air circulator would also work with this design (if it can be removed from its pedestal). Could save some cost there without sacrificing on noise control.
Awesome tip with the Costco MERV-14 filter deal!
Fantastic question. I actually have two Dreo fans and they’re the best circulation fans I’ve ever owned by a long shot. Unfortunately, the power for Dreo fans plugs into the stand itself, so even if one was able to remove the fan from the stand, it couldn’t be powered. The power for AC infinity fans comes right out of the fan motor itself.
That was one reason I used AC infinity. The main reason was that AC infinity fans are the quietest and most powerful I’ve tried. Also, AC infinity seems to have the best reputation among fan companies if you read hundreds of reviews across different sites. They’re expensive, and they’re robust.
Honestly, I like Dreo fans even better. I wish Dreo could be more feasibly used in this application.
I am using two 550 cfm airscrubbers for my 1100 sf from a remodel and
Suggestion on adding charcoal filters to this? It’s easy to buy replacement charcoal filters like Winix ones. Looking for ideas
My thoughts on activated carbon filters can be summarized by this quote from an article by HVAC engineer Joey Fox:
"Carbon filters can potentially be effective if sized properly. However, air cleaners rarely provide equivalent outdoor air delivery rates for the carbon filters. They also become saturated over time and would then become ineffective. Unfortunately, many portable air cleaners do not provide clear information on the longevity and effectiveness of their carbon filters.
While carbon filters are a harmless feature, they may not necessarily deliver the desired results. Additionally, carbon filters do not remove particulate matter which includes airborne diseases. Therefore, they have no impact on addressing health concerns related to viruses or other particulate matter.
In general, when dealing with VOCs and odors, the most effective approach is through ventilation by supplying fresh outdoor air to the space."
@@HealthyHomeGuide pretty much I agree with you. However when the outdoor air is polluted with forest fire smoke, charcoal filters help absorb gas pollutants. It’s not as effective as filters that are designed for a specific family of toxins but helps. Especially since houses are not air tight and smoke seeps inside. Charcoal filters are not like mechanical filters, gas absorption is random , which means running air over and over will gradually reduce the toxins. At least while the charcoal is still effective. For those people sensitive to the gaseous toxins, every little bit helps, especially if you’re trapped inside a house or restricted to a couple rooms within a house. We don’t mind changing out charcoal filters as needed.
Just looking for ideas
@healthyhomeguide do you have a part number for those filters?
I really like how simple you have though this out. I was curious if you had thought of using PC fans on the top vs other?
Thank you! A subsequent video I released titled "Most HEPA air purifiers are a scam" discusses PC fans in this application :)
Seems elegant, thanks for sharing your work. Any recommendations for replacement fan that would be available in Europe?
Can't find that fan in Amazon in Stock. Any alternative option?
What about zip/tie wraps instead of clothes line?
Others have had success, just use thin zip ties so they don't get in the way of the fan blades.
Gotta compliment you on your looks, plus I've learnt something🤗
Amazing! Build one for sure! Great way to sideline large corporations who keep scamming his with over priced products that don’t really work
Amen to that!
I was expecting the fan to be blowing in vs. out… Any info on why one way is better than the other? Otherwise, excellent video! Thanks for the help!
Thanks! For air purifiers the fan should be blowing upwards, for two reasons:
1.) If you blow air downward into the box, there's a lot of turbulence that reduces the air flow rate.
2.) By pulling air through the filters before it hits the fan, the fan will stay cleaner.
Makes sense! Thank you!
Great tutorial and very convincing. Nice work sir
Many thanks, I appreciate that.
Could I use multiple PC fans for equivalent rpm with low decibal noise?
Definitely!
Brilliant Idea.
I actually have a video about using PC fans for this. It's called "Most HEPA air purifiers are a scam"
I did it! I just had to get a circuit boosting usb connection to boost the fans from 5V to 12V, I then connected them through the USB to a 34w power adapter which could be set to 12V.
The Cloudlift s12 has been out of stock for quite a while, at least for the Canadian market. I placed and confirmed an order for one and a week later the supplier Astral Grow called me to say they actually don't have any but they can order me an s14 instead for a comparable price - great service!
Does anyone have any thoughts on fitting the the s14 fan with this slim design? I still havent confirmed the full diameter of the cage as 14 inches is the fans themselves. I aready received my 16" filters from Costco. I might have to return them and get 20inchers instead which would suck a little aince the 16" design is so sleek!!
The fan shown in the video is the *Cloudlift* S12, not the Cloudline S12, correct?
Correct, yes. I noted this in the description.
@@HealthyHomeGuide awesome - clearly missed the correction.
what do you say about just attaching ONE 4 or 5 inch filter to the back of a box fan (or any other fan)? Same airflow and less crafting
Just curious... What happens if you flip the fan direction so it's basically a vacuum cleaner? I get that you are drastically reducing surface area on the suction side, but also you're not recirculating particles that are above the unit and blown away.
For air purifiers the fan should be blowing upwards, for two reasons:
1.) If you blow air downward into the box, there's a lot of turbulence that reduces the air flow rate.
2.) By pulling air through the filters before it hits the fan, the fan will stay cleaner.
the S12 isn't listed on amazon anymore.... and currently out of stock on the AC Infinity website.
I have a Bissell Air220. The HEPA filters are $25 and come with activated carbon. I replace them every six months. How often do these DIY need to be replaced, because currently on Amazon it would cost me $84 instead of $25 per six months.
I may do this. Might get some sticky paper in white from a crafts store like Hobby Lobby or Michaels. That would cover the corners to make it a bit more presentable.
Nice!
I love this walkthrough and very insightful information. I have to wonder if there is a different fan out there though. The AC s12 is $170 on amazon, plus the Filtrete branded filters are $130 for a 6 pack since I can't find a 4 pack. I guess the reality is what it is for the cost if filtering air but dang thats a lot. Never mind the rest of the items you need. I'm checking out other similar types of fans. But the great thing about the AC is the 10 speed and remote. The others are mostly 3 speed for around $50.
Do you live in the US? At the link in my description, there's a 4-pack of filters for $71. If not, my apologies. As for the AC infinity fan, it is expensive, yup. But it is definitely the quietest fan i've tried.
Thank you!! Great design….QUESTION: does this help with micro plastics and nano plastics?
It should, yes. Microplastics are just fine and ultrafine particles, which the research I discussed in this video shows that MERV-13 air purifiers can capture.
Would it be possible to have it on the ceiling, but upside down.. this would save floor space and could even add a nice breeze down to someone in bed or at a desk, if they wanted. What do you guys think?
What’s the power consumption of your unit at lowest, middle and highest speeds?
thiws purifier is so amazing! great work!
Thank you!
Air purifiers also have a carbon filter for smells in the air. Do you have a recommendation for carbon filters? Would it be best to add them on the outside or inside of the unit?
Despite the claims some companies make, no air purifier is particularly effective at removing odors/gases. Air purifiers are designed to remove particulate, not gases, which are extremely small - even smaller than particulate. Some air purifiers have activated carbon in them, which can capture SOME odors/gases in smaller quantities and for shorter periods of time, but then they saturate and are ineffective. And by the way, you need a big, heavy block of carbon to actually capture a significant amount of gas. A thin carbon prefilter won't do much. There's a reason why air purifier companies don't share metrics about gas removal. It's not nearly an exact science.
For reducing odors/gases, source control (removing the source of the odor/gas) is best. If that's not possible, ventilation (bringing outdoor air inside) is the next best, to dilute the concentration of the indoor odor/gas. Best way to do this is with an energy recovery ventilator (ERV).
Think about it. It's intuitive - what's the best way to freshen a stuffy, smelly house? Fresh air.
Thanks a lot bro for sharing this priceless info. for all the ppl that have mold sickness problem i recomend some natural antihistaminic products:quercentin with bromelain,butterbur,stinging nettle root extract,zeolit,natural carbon pills and psyllium husk take 2000 mg/day of the first 3 products mentioned above if the problem is very bad every morning with some peanut butter.also try to reduce eating histamine foods like pineaple,mango,pickles etc. good health to everybody!!!
Can you add a carbon mesh to the inside?