Jason Winters' Pico-Projects

Friday, April 07, 2006

$7 Air Purifier

I've been suffering from some allergy problems lately and while I was at Lowe's, I took a look at their selection of air purifiers. Much to my surprise, the cheapest one they had was $70. I took the liberty of taking apart the display model while I was there. It seems that there isn't much magic going on inside these things. It consisted of a squirrel cage fan and an air filter. Since I already had a box fan at home, I decided to walk down to aisle 20 and grab a furnace air filter to make my own. I picked the cheapest filter that could still filter pollen. I'm happy to report that with a little duct tape, I have constructed my very own air purifier at a fraction of the price. After using it for a week, I am amazed at how much dirt and pollen is in the air. It's that time of year here in Florida. The pollen is absolutely horrid for a few weeks in the spring. I think the forecast is in inches.

7 Comments:

  • Leave it to you to figure out a way to beat the system. I use allergy pills. The pollen in Pa. is high now too, at times I can see it floating in the air. So far though no reports on how many inches we'll get.

    By Anonymous Butch, at 2:27 PM  

  • Now that's funny!! I don't care who you are!!! LOL!!!!

    Great thinking!!

    By Anonymous Russell, at 1:48 PM  

  • I have read all of your articles
    your are smart

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:25 AM  

  • Awesome idea.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:15 PM  

  • Oh man, I'm definitely trying this one...along with your webcam server project. Mine needs some help. -> SuckyFish.com

    By Anonymous Shannon, at 5:53 AM  

  • Home Depot sells a filter that you can place inside your home air ducts that will provide similar filtering.

    I like to have the filter at both ends of my duct work because so much dust can accumulate even if you're diligent about maintaining your central filter.

    My only question is does your method actually draw air through the filter or does it just spin? There's so much space around the fan might it just be recirculating the air from the front of the fan as if the fan just had a solid back?

    By Blogger Michael D. Hall, at 12:35 PM  

  • Grr.. Why didn't I think of that!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:04 PM  

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